Child Safety Policy

Little Moments Photography is committed to the safety, wellbeing, dignity and rights of every child and young person.

As a photographer working with children, I recognise that every child has the right to feel safe, respected, heard and included. I take a child-centred approach to photography and prioritise a child’s wellbeing over obtaining a particular photograph.

Little Moments Photography is committed to implementing Victoria’s 11 Child Safe Standards, where they apply to the business.

This policy applies to photography services provided by Little Moments Photography in kindergartens, schools and other settings where children are photographed. It should be read together with the relevant organisation’s child-safety policies, procedures and directions.

This policy is not a substitute for legal advice. Legal obligations may vary depending on the setting, the services provided, the photographer’s role and the circumstances of a concern.

1. Child Safety and Wellbeing

Little Moments Photography has zero tolerance for child abuse, neglect, exploitation, discrimination and other behaviour that places a child at risk of harm.

I will:

• treat every child with respect and dignity

• maintain appropriate professional boundaries

• use age-appropriate language and behaviour

• take reasonable steps to identify and reduce risks to children

• follow the child-safety policies, procedures and reasonable directions of the kindergarten, school or other organisation where I am working

• listen to children and take their concerns seriously

• respect a child’s right to say no or choose not to participate

• never force, pressure, shame or ridicule a child to obtain a photograph

• comply with applicable Victorian child-safety laws and reporting obligations.

2. Children Having a Say

Children may participate in photography in ways that are comfortable for them.

A child may choose not to participate in an individual photograph, ask for a break or prefer a different approach.

I will not use rewards, threats, embarrassment or pressure to make a child participate.

Photography may include natural observation, play and interaction rather than requiring children to pose or perform.

If a child does not wish to be photographed, I will respect their decision and follow the arrangements agreed with the kindergarten, school or other organisation and the child’s parent or guardian.

A child’s expressed wishes will be considered alongside any applicable consent, supervision and organisational requirements. A child’s refusal will not be treated as misconduct or used as a reason to shame or disadvantage them.

3. Cultural Safety and Inclusion

Every child has the right to feel safe and respected in their cultural identity.

Little Moments Photography respects the cultural identity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families and seeks to provide an inclusive and culturally safe photography environment.

I will:

• respect a child’s right to express their culture and identity

• not make assumptions about a child’s Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander identity, cultural connection or appearance

• not rely on stereotypes about how Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people look, behave or express their culture

• respect cultural clothing, jewellery, hairstyles, artwork and other expressions of identity

• not ask a child to remove or hide cultural expressions unnecessarily for a photograph

• listen to children, parents or guardians and educators when cultural considerations arise

• not treat an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child as a representative or spokesperson for their culture

• not expect a child to perform or explain their culture for a photograph

• not tolerate racist or discriminatory behaviour.

These principles also apply to children of all cultures, backgrounds, abilities, identities and family circumstances.

I will make reasonable adjustments where a child’s individual, cultural, language, disability or other needs require them, subject to the practical requirements of the photography service and the organisation where I am working.

4. Professional Boundaries

When working with children, I will:

• maintain professional and appropriate interactions at all times

• avoid being alone with a child wherever reasonably practicable

• follow the kindergarten’s, school’s or other organisation’s supervision arrangements

• avoid unnecessary physical contact with children

• provide physical assistance only when necessary, appropriate and permitted by the organisation

• not transport children

• not give children gifts, money or personal items without the organisation’s approval

• not ask children for personal contact details

• not communicate privately with children through personal social media, messaging services or other personal communication channels

• not engage in conduct that could reasonably be considered grooming, exploitative, sexualised, threatening or otherwise inappropriate.

Children will never be asked to undress or change clothes for a photograph.

I will not photograph children in toilets, change rooms or other inappropriate private areas.

5. Photography and Children’s Dignity

I will photograph children in ways that protect their dignity, privacy and wellbeing.

I will:

• follow the organisation’s requirements about when, where and how children may be photographed

• photograph children only for agreed purposes

• avoid photographs that could reasonably cause embarrassment, humiliation or distress

• stop or change my approach if a child becomes distressed or uncomfortable

• avoid unnecessary physical direction or posing

• ensure clothing and poses are age-appropriate

• take particular care when photographing children who need additional support

• not create, retain, use or distribute images that are exploitative, sexualised, degrading or otherwise inappropriate.

The purpose of the photography is to document children naturally and respectfully, not to make them perform for the camera.

6. Consent and Children’s Images

I will photograph children only in accordance with the consent arrangements established with the kindergarten, school or other organisation and the child’s parent or guardian, where applicable.

The organisation commissioning or facilitating the photography service is responsible for establishing the consent process it requires. I will follow that process and will not assume that consent for one purpose automatically authorises another purpose.

I will provide parents or guardians with clear information, directly or through the organisation, about how photographs will be used where this is my responsibility.

Consent for photography and consent for public or promotional use are separate. Consent for a private family gallery, product fulfilment, internal organisational use, website publication, social media or other promotional use may also need to be considered separately.

I will not knowingly publish photographs on the Little Moments Photography website, social media or other promotional material without the appropriate consent and any other permission required by law or the relevant organisation.

If a child clearly does not want to be photographed, I will respect their wishes even if their parent or guardian has provided consent, subject to any lawful and reasonable direction from the organisation about the photography process.

I will not use a child’s image for a new or materially different purpose without obtaining any additional consent or authorisation required by law.

7. Group Photographs

I will take group and class photographs only in accordance with the consent and photography arrangements established with the kindergarten, school or other organisation.

I will take reasonable steps to ensure that children without permission to be photographed are not included in photographs intended for a private family gallery or any other unauthorised use.

Where a child cannot be included in a particular group photograph because consent has not been provided, I will follow the organisation’s agreed process for managing that situation respectfully and without drawing unnecessary attention to the child.

8. Supervision

The kindergarten, school or other organisation remains responsible for the care and supervision of children during photography sessions, unless a separate written arrangement lawfully provides otherwise.

I will follow the organisation’s supervision arrangements and will not assume responsibility for supervising children independently.

I will cooperate with educators and staff and follow reasonable directions relating to children’s safety and wellbeing.

Nothing in this policy limits my own duty to take reasonable care, respond to an immediate safety risk or report a concern where required by law.

9. Working with Children Check and Screening

Where required by the Worker Screening Act 2020 (Vic) and related requirements, Little Moments Photography will maintain a current Victorian Working with Children Check or other required clearance before undertaking child-related work.

Commercial photography services provided specifically for children may constitute child-related work requiring a Working with Children Check under Victorian law.

A Working with Children Check is a screening requirement; it is not a finding that a person is suitable in every circumstance and it does not replace appropriate supervision, risk management, professional conduct or reporting obligations.

I will:

• not undertake child-related work where a required clearance has not been obtained

• comply with any conditions, suspension, cancellation or interim restrictions applying to the clearance

• notify the relevant authority and affected organisations where required by law

• provide evidence of a current check or clearance to the kindergarten, school or other organisation on request, subject to applicable privacy requirements

• comply with any additional screening or verification requirements imposed by the organisation or applicable law.

The organisation engaging Little Moments Photography may independently verify screening status and may impose requirements that are stricter than this policy.

10. Online Safety, Privacy and Image Security

I will handle children’s photographs and personal information in accordance with applicable privacy laws, including the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles, where they apply, as well as any applicable Victorian privacy requirements and contractual obligations.

Whether the Privacy Act applies to a small business may depend on factors including turnover, the nature of the business and the information-handling activities undertaken. Regardless of whether the Act applies, I will use reasonable and appropriate privacy and security practices.

I will:

• collect only personal information reasonably necessary for the agreed photography service

• explain, through the relevant privacy notice or collection statement, how personal information and images will be collected, used, disclosed and stored

• use photographs only for agreed purposes or another purpose permitted by law or authorised by the relevant consent

• take reasonable steps to keep personal information accurate, secure and protected from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure

• limit access to photographs and personal information to people and service providers who reasonably need access to provide the agreed service, fulfil orders or carry out an authorised use

• use appropriate access controls for private galleries

• take reasonable steps to ensure that overseas disclosures or overseas service providers are handled in accordance with applicable privacy requirements

• respond to requests for access to or correction of personal information in accordance with applicable law and the relevant privacy policy

• securely delete or destroy personal information and photographs when they are no longer required, subject to legal, contractual, insurance, backup or other legitimate retention requirements

• respond appropriately to suspected data breaches, including assessing whether notification is required under the Notifiable Data Breaches scheme where that scheme applies.

Further information is provided in the Little Moments Photography Privacy Policy.

11. Responding to Concerns, Disclosures and Reports

If a child tells me that they are worried, unsafe or have been harmed, or if I observe something that raises a child-safety concern, I will:

1. listen calmly and take the child seriously

2. allow the child to speak without asking unnecessary or leading questions

3. not promise to keep the information secret

4. explain, in age-appropriate language, that I may need to share information to help keep them safe

5. not investigate the matter myself

6. record relevant information as soon as practicable, using the child’s own words where possible

7. promptly notify the appropriate person at the kindergarten, school or other organisation in accordance with its child-safety procedures

8. contact Victoria Police or another relevant authority directly where required by law or where necessary to protect a child from immediate or serious harm

9. preserve relevant records or evidence and avoid taking any action that could compromise a lawful investigation.

Mandatory Reporting and Other Reporting Obligations

Victorian law imposes reporting obligations on particular people and in particular circumstances. These obligations may include:

• mandatory reporting under the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 (Vic) for prescribed classes of mandatory reporters who form a reasonable belief that a child is in need of protection from significant physical injury or sexual abuse

• the failure to disclose offence under the Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), which may apply to an adult who has information that leads them to form a reasonable belief that a sexual offence has been committed against a child under 16, unless a statutory exception applies

• the failure to protect offence under the Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), which may apply to a person in authority or a position of responsibility who knows of a substantial risk of a child under 16 becoming a victim of a sexual offence and has the power or responsibility to reduce or remove that risk

• reporting obligations under the Worker Screening Act 2020 (Vic) and related requirements, where applicable

• obligations under the organisation’s child-safety procedures, contract or other applicable law.

A photographer is not automatically a mandatory reporter merely because they work with children. Whether a particular reporting obligation applies depends on the person’s role, the information available and the circumstances.

Nothing in this policy limits any legal obligation to report directly to Victoria Police, Child Protection, the Social Services Regulator or another relevant authority.

If there is an immediate danger, call 000.

For advice about whether a report is required, contact the relevant organisation’s child-safety lead, Victoria Police, Child Protection or another appropriate authority. Do not delay a report where the law requires immediate action.

If a concern relates to my conduct, I will cooperate with the relevant reporting, investigation or complaints process and will not take steps to influence, obstruct or retaliate against a person who raises a concern.

12. Complaints and Feedback

Children, parents or guardians and families are welcome to raise concerns about the conduct of Little Moments Photography.

A concern may be raised directly with me or with the kindergarten, school or other organisation.

I will take concerns seriously, respond respectfully and cooperate with any investigation or process undertaken by the organisation or a relevant authority.

I will not penalise, threaten, intimidate or retaliate against a person who raises a concern in good faith.

Where appropriate, I will provide information about external complaint or reporting pathways, including Victoria Police, Child Protection, the Social Services Regulator or the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.

13. Child-Safe Physical and Online Environments

I will take reasonable steps to ensure that photography equipment, photography locations and online systems do not create unnecessary risks to children.

I will:

• position and use equipment safely

• keep cables, bags and other equipment secured and out of children’s way

• not encourage children to interact with photography equipment unless it is safe and appropriate

• use photography locations that are visible, appropriate and consistent with the organisation’s requirements

• avoid private or isolated settings wherever reasonably practicable

• store and transfer digital photographs using reasonable security measures

• use reputable service providers and take reasonable steps to understand how they handle children’s images and personal information.

14. Continuous Improvement

Little Moments Photography will regularly review its child-safety practices and this policy.

I will consider feedback from children, parents or guardians, educators and relevant authorities and update my practices where necessary.

I will remain informed about changes to Victorian child-safety requirements, mandatory reporting obligations, Working with Children Check requirements, privacy laws and relevant professional guidance.

This policy does not create obligations that are inconsistent with applicable law. Where a law, regulator, court, commissioning organisation or emergency service imposes a requirement that differs from this policy, the applicable legal or lawful requirement will prevail.

Policy reviewed: September 2026
Next scheduled review: September 2027

Little Moments Photography
Magdalena Bors
info@littlemomentsphotography.com.au