CHILD SAFEGUARDING, PRIVACY & INFORMED CONSENT POLICY
Policy Number: WSP0007
Approved: December 2025
Next Review: December 2026
Policy Owner: Whippersnappers Photography
Purpose and Scope
The purpose of this policy is to outline how Whippersnappers Photography ensures the safety of children, the protection of personal information and images, and the informed consent of parents or legal guardians when providing photography services within early learning and daycare environments.
This policy applies to all Whippersnappers Photography staff, contractors, clients, and photography activities conducted in childcare, early learning, and education settings.
Definitions
Child Safeguarding
Practices and procedures designed to protect children from harm, exploitation, or distress.
Informed Consent
Explicit permission provided by a parent or legal guardian after being fully informed about how images will be taken, used, stored, and accessed.
Personal Information
Information that identifies or could reasonably identify a child, parent, guardian, or educator, including photographic images.
Principles
Whippersnappers Photography is committed to the principles of:
- Child safety and wellbeing
- Transparency and accountability
- Informed, voluntary participation
- Privacy, confidentiality, and proportionality
Overview
Whippersnappers Photography operates in alignment with:
- Australian Child Safe Standards
- The Privacy Act 1988
- Australian Privacy Principles
- Relevant Department of Education and Early Childhood guidelines
Important areas of this policy include:
- Children are never photographed without informed parental or guardian consent
- Participation in photography is strictly opt-in
- Images and personal data are securely stored and handled
- Images are never shared, sold, or used for promotional purposes without express written permission
Policy Detail
Child Safeguarding
Whippersnappers Photography is committed to providing a child-safe environment at all times.
- All photographers hold a current Working With Children Check (WWCC) relevant to their state or territory
- Photography is conducted only in open, supervised environments
- Centre policies, routines, and educator guidance are followed at all times
- Children are treated with respect, care, and patience
- No child is ever pressured or forced to participate
- If a child does not wish to be photographed, their decision will be respected
Informed Parent / Guardian Consent
Whippersnappers Photography operates on a strict consent-first model.
- No child is photographed without explicit consent from a parent or legal guardian
- Consent is obtained prior to photo day via approved and secure methods
- Consent clearly outlines:
- The nature of the photography
- How images will be used
- How images will be stored and accessed
- Consent is voluntary and may be withdrawn at any time
- Photography participation is optional for all families
Privacy & Image Use
- Images are collected solely for the purpose of producing photographs for parents or guardians
- Images are provided only to the authorised family of the child
- Images are never shared with third parties
- Images are never used for marketing, advertising, or promotional purposes without separate written consent
- Daycare centres do not receive access to individual child images unless approved by families
Storage & Security of Information
- All images and personal information are stored on secure, password-protected systems
- Access is restricted to authorised Whippersnappers Photography personnel only
- Data is protected against unauthorised access, misuse, or disclosure
Data Retention
- Images are stored indefinitely to allow for future retrieval at the request of the parent or guardian
- Parents or guardians can request for deletion of images at any time
- Personal information is retained as long as necessary to:
- Fulfil orders
- Provide customer support
- Data is securely deleted in accordance with internal retention procedures
Breaches and Concerns
If a safeguarding, privacy, or data security concern is identified, Whippersnappers Photography will:
- Act immediately to assess and manage the issue
- Notify affected parties where required
- Take corrective action to prevent recurrence
Review
This policy is reviewed annually or as required to ensure ongoing compliance with legislation and best-practice standards.