Policy on children at the Shed
While there are a number of significant legal and safety issues relating to young people being in the Shed environment, the Management Committee regognises that members should be able to bring their children and grandchildren to the Shed from time-to-time. The minimum requirements for bringing young relatives to the Katoomba Men's Shed (KMS) are as follows:
- The child must be under the direct supervision, and in the company, of the relevent KMS member at all times.
- Under no circumstances should a child be in the unsupervised company of anyone except their relative who is a KMS member.
Some minimum standards of conduct by other KMS members also apply while any child is on Shed premises. These standards relate specifically to behaviour and language. In particular, the following parts of the AMSA (Australian Men's Shed Association) Code of Conduct apply:
Men’s Shedders will:
- Treat children and young people with respect, listen and value their ideas and opinions.
- Respect cultural, religious and political differences.
- Model appropriate adult behaviour.
- Take action to protect the children’s wellbeing.
- Respect the privacy of children and their families only disclosing information to people who have a need to know.
Men’s Shedders will not:
- Seek to use children in any way to meet the needs of adults.
- Use prejudice, oppressive behaviour or language with children.
- Discriminate on the basis of age, gender, race, culture, vulnerability or sexuality.
- Initiate unnecessary physical contact with children or do things of a personal nature that children can do for themselves.
- Develop “special” relationships with specific children for the Shedders own needs.
- Show favouritism through provision of gifts or inappropriate attention.
- Have a relationship outside the Men’s Shed with any child who attends the Shed (except where there is a pre-existing relationship such as with a direct family member.
Policy ratified by KMS Management Committee - February 2014
