ELPA Code of Conduct
Applicable to all ELPA Foundation Members · Effective 2025
Child Safety is Non-Negotiable
The safety, dignity, and wellbeing of every child you photograph comes before any commercial or creative consideration.
- Maintain a valid Working with Children Check (or state equivalent) at all times
- Never be alone with a child without a supervising educator or staff member present
- Immediately report any safeguarding concern to the centre director and, where required, to the relevant authority
- Never photograph a child in a manner that could be considered exploitative, demeaning, or distressing
- Comply fully with each centre’s individual child protection policies and procedures
Consent and Parent/Guardian Rights
Photography of children in care requires informed, written consent. No exceptions.
- Obtain written parental or guardian consent before photographing any child
- Respect withdrawal of consent immediately and without question
- Clearly explain to centres how images will be used, stored, and distributed before the engagement
- Never photograph a child whose consent has been withheld, regardless of circumstance
- Retain signed consent forms for the duration of the engagement plus a minimum of seven years
Professional Conduct at Centres
When working at a childcare or early learning centre, your behaviour reflects on the centre, on the families, and on ELPA.
- Arrive punctually and prepared, minimising disruption to the centre’s daily routine
- Follow all centre check-in procedures, sign-in requirements, and visitor policies
- Dress and present professionally and appropriately for a child-focused environment
- Treat all educators, directors, and centre staff with courtesy and respect
- Not consume alcohol or any impairing substance on the day of a centre engagement
- Use only professional camera equipment — not personal mobile phones — for photography
Image Standards and Content
Every image produced must reflect the professional and child-safe nature of your work.
- Photograph children in a dignified, age-appropriate, and non-exploitative manner at all times
- Never capture, retain, or distribute any image that could be considered inappropriate — including partial undress during nappy changes or similar care routines
- Ensure images reflect positively on the child, the family, and the centre
- Not use images for personal portfolios, social media, or marketing without explicit written permission from the parent or guardian
- Not edit or manipulate images in any way that misrepresents or demeans the subject
Image Storage, Privacy & Data Handling
All children’s images must be handled in strict accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).
- Store all images securely using encrypted or password-protected systems
- Not share or transfer images to any third party not directly involved in production or delivery
- Retain images only for as long as operationally necessary, then delete securely
- Honour any parent or guardian request for deletion of their child’s images promptly, and confirm once the deletion is complete
- Provide families with clear information on how, where, and for how long images will be stored
- Not upload children’s images to any cloud platform without the explicit knowledge of the centre and consent of parents
Honest and Transparent Business Practice
ELPA members operate with honesty and integrity in all commercial dealings.
- Provide accurate quotes, contracts, and invoices to all clients
- Not misrepresent credentials, insurance status, or compliance standing to centres or families
- Not claim ELPA membership or accreditation status beyond what has been officially granted
- Disclose any conflict of interest that may affect the quality or independence of your work
- Honour all commitments to centres — including agreed timelines, service scope, and delivery standards
Representation of ELPA
As a member, your conduct reflects on every other member and on the association as a whole.
- Use the ELPA Member logo only in accordance with the brand guidelines provided upon approval
- Not make public statements on behalf of ELPA without explicit authorisation from the Committee
- Not publicly disparage other ELPA members, centres, or families
- Represent the association with professionalism in all client-facing, online, and industry dealings
Reporting a Concern
If you become aware of a breach of this Code — whether by yourself or another member — you are encouraged to report it confidentially to ELPA at info@elpa.au. Where there is an immediate risk to child safety, you must report to the relevant authority regardless of whether you also report to ELPA.
Consequences of Breach
- Formal written warning and required remediation plan
- Temporary suspension of ELPA membership and removal from the directory
- Permanent revocation of ELPA membership
- Referral to relevant regulatory or child safety authorities where appropriate
ELPA takes breaches seriously and reserves the right to investigate any reported conduct and take proportionate action.