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Child safety at CircArts
Every child safe, heard and respected.
CircArts is a place where every child should feel they belong and can achieve amazing things. That only happens when they feel safe. Here's how we make sure they do, and what to do if you're ever worried.
Our commitment
Zero tolerance for child abuse and harm
Every concern is taken seriously and acted on. Every child has the right to be safe, heard and respected. We listen to children, and we act on what they tell us.
Cultural safety
We welcome Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families, and we respect and value their culture and identity. Racism is never OK at CircArts.
Inclusion
Every child belongs here, whatever their background, culture, language, ability, neurodiversity, gender identity, sexuality or family. We adapt so every child can take part safely.
Standards
We follow the Victorian Child Safe Standards, and we review how we keep children safe every year.
Every day at the studio
How we keep children safe
A checked, trained team
Every adult who works with children here must hold a current Working with Children Check, and we check each one on the WWC Victoria website. Our coaches must hold first aid certificates, and our whole team must complete child safety training.
1 coach for every 8 students
In every class and holiday program.
Check-in every class
Students check in at the kiosk, so we always know who is in the building.
Safe pick-up
Children leave only with a parent or an adult you've authorised, or on their own if you've given us written permission. Tell us at booking who can collect your child.
No 1:1 behind closed doors
Private classes for under 18s run in the open studio with another adult on site, and parents are welcome to watch.
Always supervised
Under 18s never train in unstaffed sessions.
Your photo choice
You can opt out of photos and video at any time by emailing geelong@circarts.com.au. We add a "No media" tag so our team knows not to share your child's image, and we never publish a child's full name, age or school with their image without your permission.
Safe messaging
Our team never sends private messages to anyone under 18. We message parents, or include parents, using studio accounts only.
Our Code of Conduct in brief
What every adult at CircArts agrees to
Everyone who works or volunteers at CircArts agrees to:
- put children's safety and wellbeing first
- treat every child with respect, with no put-downs, bullying, racism or comments about bodies
- never be alone with a child behind a closed door
- keep physical contact to what safe training needs, such as spotting a skill, explain it first and do it in open view
- never message a child privately, or post students on personal accounts
- respect every family's photo choice
- speak up about every concern, straight away
Our full Child Safe Policy and Code of Conduct
Ask us for a copy any time: email founder@circarts.com.au
Speak up
How to raise a concern
We want to hear about any worry, big or small, about a child's safety or wellbeing. That includes something you saw or heard at CircArts, the behaviour of an adult or a child, something online, or how we do things. You don't need proof.
Ways to tell us
- A child in danger right now? Call 000.
- In person: speak to Ellie Compton (studio manager) or Rosa Pagani (founder and director) at the studio.
- Phone: call 0420 211 844 and ask for Ellie or Rosa. Texts go to 0489 082 643, which is a shared front desk line, so for anything sensitive ask Ellie or Rosa to call you back.
- Email: for anything sensitive, email Rosa directly at founder@circarts.com.au. Our geelong@circarts.com.au inbox is shared by the front desk team, so it isn't private.
- Online: use our Raise a concern form below.
- About Ellie? Contact Rosa directly at founder@circarts.com.au. About Rosa? Contact Victoria Police, Child Protection or the Social Services Regulator. You don't need to tell us first.
What happens next
- We listen, and thank you for telling us.
- We make sure any child involved is safe. If a child is at risk, we contact police or Child Protection straight away.
- We let you know we've received your concern.
- Rosa or Ellie looks into it. We keep it confidential and only share it with people who need to know.
- We tell you what we're doing, and tell you the outcome as far as we can while protecting other people's privacy.
- We keep a secure record that only Rosa and Ellie can see.
- We use what we learn to do better.
No one will be treated unfairly for raising a concern honestly.
Outside contacts
Who else you can contact
You can contact these services at any time, about any concern, whether or not you've told us.
Emergency, or a child in danger right now: call 000
Social Services Regulator
The Child Safe Standards regulator in Victoria. Email childsafeorgs@ssr.vic.gov.au
For kids
You have the right to feel safe
At CircArts, every child has the right to be safe, to be listened to and to be treated with respect.
If something doesn't feel OK
It might be something someone said or did, here or somewhere else. It might be online. It might make you feel scared, sad, confused or uncomfortable. That is enough to speak up.
Who you can talk to
- Any coach
- Ellie, our studio manager
- Rosa, who runs CircArts
- Your mum, dad, carer or another grown-up you trust
- Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800, any time, day or night
What happens when you tell us
- We will listen and take you seriously.
- It's not your fault, and you won't be in trouble for telling.
- We might need to tell other grown-ups so we can keep you safe. We'll tell you who.
- If it's about Ellie or Rosa, tell any coach or a grown-up you trust. They will help.
- In danger right now? Tell a grown-up straight away, or call 000.
You can use the form below too.
Acknowledgement of Country
CircArts acknowledges the Wadawurrung People as the Traditional Owners of the land where we train, create and perform. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our community.
Last updated 29 October 2026. We review how we keep children safe every November.
Raise a concern online
Tell us what's worrying you
A child in danger right now? Call 000. This form is not for emergencies.
- Your concern is emailed straight to Rosa Pagani, our founder and director.
- Your name and contact details are optional. If you leave them out, we can't get back to you.
- Is your concern about Rosa? Please don't use this form. Contact Victoria Police on 131 444 (000 in an emergency), Child Protection on 1800 075 599 (after hours 13 12 78) or the Social Services Regulator on 1300 310 778.
- Kids, you can use this form too. You can also tell any coach or a grown-up you trust.