Child Safety
& Wellbeing

Our child safety principles

1. The best interests of the child are paramount. A child’s safety, dignity, privacy and wellbeing take priority over creative preferences, promotional opportunities or project deadlines. We will not capture, use or publish content where doing so may unnecessarily expose, embarrass, identify or place a child at risk. Where a child indicates that they do not wish to be photographed, filmed or interviewed, their wishes will be respected.

2. Minimum necessary information is shared. We only collect, use and publish the information reasonably required for the agreed purpose. We avoid unnecessarily combining a recognisable image with identifying information such as a child’s full name, precise location, routine, contact details or family circumstances. Where appropriate, we may use wider images, activity-based photography, student work, environments or non-identifying details instead of close-up portraits.

3. Accuracy, security and need-to-know apply. Information and content relating to children must be accurate, securely handled and accessed only by people who require it for their role. Photographs, videos, consent information and draft content must be transferred and stored through approved systems. Identifiable student content must not be used for unrelated purposes or provided to unauthorised third parties. Bright Ed will not upload identifiable student imagery or personal information to generative AI, face-swapping, face-animation or synthetic media tools.

4. Transparency and consent guide collection and use.

Students, parents and carers should understand:

• • what is being photographed, filmed or recorded
  • why the content is being created
  • where it may be published
  • who may be able to access it.

The school is responsible for maintaining current media permissions and advising Bright Ed of any restrictions. Where practicable, we will also seek the child’s age-appropriate agreement. Parent or carer consent does not remove the importance of listening to the child and respecting a clear refusal.

5. School approval is required before publication. Content featuring identifiable students or families must be approved by an authorised school representative before Bright Ed publishes it. Approval should cover the selected image or video, accompanying wording, intended channel and publication context. The school is responsible for confirming that the proposed use is consistent with its consent records, privacy obligations, child safety policies and any known cultural, family, custody or legal restrictions.

Conduct during school activities

When working at a school or child-related event, Bright Ed personnel must:

• comply with the school’s child safety policies and reasonable directions 
• follow visitor, sign-in and identification requirements
• remain in approved and observable areas
• maintain professional boundaries and appropriate behaviour
• avoid being alone with a child unless specifically authorised and supervised
• not contact students through personal phone numbers, email accounts or social media
• stop an activity where a child appears distressed or asks not to participate
• promptly report any concerning behaviour, disclosure or safety issue.

School staff remain responsible for student supervision unless another arrangement has been formally agreed.

All Bright Ed personnel, at a minimum, will have a valid Working With Children Check in their state of residence when required to undertake child-related work (see Screening and responsibilities below). 

Content Creation

Activities involving students must have a clear purpose and be planned with the school. Before commencing, Bright Ed will seek confirmation that the school has authorised the activity, completed the required consent process, identified students who must not participate and arranged appropriate supervision. We will not knowingly capture children in private, vulnerable or inappropriate settings. Recognisable student imagery should not ordinarily be published with live location information or details revealing immediate movements or predictable routines. Original files, working files and unused content will be securely managed and retained only for as long as reasonably required.

Inclusion and cultural safety

Bright Ed respects the diverse identities, backgrounds, experiences and needs of children and young people. We will work with schools to consider the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, children with disability, children with foster/out-of-home care experience and children experiencing additional vulnerabilities. We will not create or publish content that stereotypes, diminishes or unfairly represents a child, family or community.

Screening and responsibilities

Bright Ed will take reasonable steps to ensure that people undertaking child-related work are suitable for their role. Working with Children Checks or equivalent screening will be required where applicable by law, school policy or the nature of the work. Employees and contractors undertaking school-based activities must understand this policy, expected standards of conduct, information-handling requirements and how to report a concern.

Responding to concerns

Any concern about a child’s safety or wellbeing must be taken seriously and addressed promptly.

Bright Ed personnel must:

• take reasonable steps to protect the child from immediate harm
• listen calmly and avoid promising absolute confidentiality
• record relevant factual information
• report the concern to Bright Ed’s Child Safety Contact and the school’s designated representative
• comply with any applicable legal reporting requirements.

Personnel must not independently investigate suspected abuse or question a child beyond what is necessary to understand an immediate concern. Where a child is in immediate danger, emergency services should be contacted on 000. No person will be disadvantaged for raising a genuine child safety concern in good faith.

Complaints and feedback

Children, families, schools, employees and members of the community may raise concerns about Bright Ed’s conduct, photography or filming practices, use of personal information or publication of content. We will respond respectfully, promptly and without retaliation. Where a concern relates to published content, we will work with the school to assess whether it should be corrected, restricted or removed.

Governance and review

Bright Ed’s leadership is responsible for overseeing this policy and considering child safety risks when planning school visits, appointing contractors, handling student information and delivering photography, video, website, social media and campaign projects. This policy will be reviewed regularly and following significant incidents, changes to our services, updated regulatory guidance or the introduction of technologies that create new safety or privacy risks.

Last updated July 2026