Purpose and scope

These guidelines set out the standard of behaviour expected of staff and learners in IFE courses and articulates how the Archdiocesan Code of Conduct and Catholic Safeguarding Principles are applied in the context of IFE courses. The aim of these guidelines is to support a safe environment in IFE courses by setting clear and explicit expectations for staff and learners who deliver, participate in, or support IFE training and assessment.

The Archdiocesan policy on acceptable use of computer assets and information policy (SS ITPL03) applies to all staff and learners in IFE courses and to all IFE staff providing administrative support to IFE courses.

Guiding principles

The Archdiocese has zero tolerance for all forms of abuse and is committed to safeguarding everyone involved in its activities, ministries and services. The safety and wellbeing of children, young people and adults-at-risk is paramount.

IFE expects that staff and learners in IFE courses will use the online environment, including the Learning Management System used to deliver IFE courses, in a manner that is professional, ethical, respectful of others’ rights and opinions and a productive and safe environment for all participants.

Staff and learners may not use the Learning Management System in any way that violates applicable state, federal or international laws, regulations, government requirements or internal policies and procedures.

The information provided on the Learning Management System (LMS) belongs to IFE and cannot be accessed publicly. Users should not expect privacy with respect to the use of the Learning Management System. Posts, chats and interactions with other users via the Learning Management System or in online workshops and tutorials can be monitored by officially delegated system administrators.

The Learning Management System is owned and managed by aNewSpring. aNewSpring’s user agreement also applies to staff and learner use of the Learning Management System.

Rules of conduct

The following rules of conduct govern staff and learner use of the Learning Management System.

Posts on discussion boards and email correspondence between learners or between staff and learners are appropriate if they relate to the course and reflect the IFE’s purpose, principles and values.

Posts and emails are not appropriate if they:

    • violate the protected privacy or publicity rights of another person, for example by recording, posting or forwarding their personal details or images without their consent
    • use inappropriate language, swearing and vulgarities
    • are defamatory, derogatory, demeaning, malicious, abusive, offensive, or hateful towards any individual or group
    • make a threat of any kind or are intimidating, harassing, bullying or showing disrespect to anyone.
    • are offensive to a particular race, gender, nationality, ethnicity, disability, religion, cultural background or political leaning
    • are obscene, profane, pornographic or sexually explicit
    • demonstrate emotional reproach with aggression, rage or similar
    • create a health or safety concern for learners, staff or others (public)
    • depict irresponsible behaviour or inappropriate duty of care responsibilities in relation to drug and alcohol consumption
    • communicate misinformation or incorrect facts.
    • inappropriately make use of materials which are copyright protected or would be considered a trademark infringement.
    • relate to conducting private business for personal gain or for gambling.

Learners and staff participating in workshops and tutorials delivered online should ensure that their camera is on, except where this would be distracting for other participants, and ensure that audio is appropriate for effective communication.

All workshops and tutorials delivered by IFE online are professional development engagements. All participants are expected to treat them as professional work engagements.

With the exception of designated system administrators, learners and staff may not log into the Learning Management System with the username or password of another user.

Compliance with the Archdiocesan Code of Conduct

The aim of these guidelines is to articulate clearly and easily what is expected of staff and learners in IFE courses by the Archdiocesan code of conduct as it relates to delivering or participating in IFE courses. Non-compliance with the code of conduct:

    • in the first instance should be brought to the attention of the teacher, mentor or IFE Senior Education Officer or raised through the feedback form available to learners, which also permits raising concerns anonymously.
    • if it continues should be reported to the Director, IFE

Non-compliance with the code of conduct may lead to disciplinary action including removal from the course (for learners) or termination of employment (for staff).