THE POPPET CENTRE

Access, Inclusion & Belonging at The Poppet Centre

 

At The Poppet Centre, everyone is welcome. We’re a community space for all families and carers across cultures and languages, people with disability, neurodivergent folks, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTIQA+SB communities, and anyone who calls our neighbourhood home. We believe great learning and wellbeing happen when diversity, accessibility, and inclusion are actively embraced.

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We work to remove barriers to participation across our programs, events, and online resources. Wherever possible we provide accessible venues, clear and inclusive language, adaptive resources, and alternative formats. We regularly review our practices and invite feedback so we can keep improving with our community.

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If you tell us your access needs, we’ll do our best to meet them. Examples include:

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• Alternative formats (large print, Easy Read) and plain-English materials

• Interpreting or captioning on request (including Auslan)

• Sensory-friendly options (quiet spaces, reduced-stimulus sessions)

• Flexible seating, pram and mobility-aid access

• Culturally safe, LGBTIQA+SB-affirming practices

• Support for carers and different family structures

 

Beyond our own programs, we also advocate for more accessible, inclusive practice across local education, community, and wellbeing services. Everyone engaging with The Poppet Centre deserves to feel seen, respected, and empowered.

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If you experience any barrier, or have ideas to help us do better, please get in touch via our contact form. Together, we’re building a place where everyone belongs.

 

Your Privacy at The Poppet Centre

 

We respect your privacy. We collect only what we need to run safe, quality programs information such as names, contact details, your child’s age and any access/allergy information you choose to share. We use this to manage bookings, keep people safe, and improve services. We don’t sell data. We share information only with trusted service providers such as payment/booking systems, or when the law or safety requires.

Your choices: you can access/correct your information, unsubscribe from updates, or ask questions anytime. Children’s details are managed with parent/carer consent; we never publish full names or other identifying details.

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Photography & Filming at the Poppet Centre

 

We love celebrating our community but privacy comes first.
 

Adults: you can opt out at any time, please ask staff for a no-photo sticker/zone.

Children: we only publish identifiable images with parent/carer consent.

Your photos: please capture your own family only; no live-streaming of children’s programs.

Want an image removed? Contact us via the website and we’ll do our best to help.

Read the full Photography & Media Policy on display at any event for details.

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Child Safety & Wellbeing at The Poppet Centre

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At The Poppet Centre, children’s safety comes first. We follow Child Safe Standards and create spaces where kids feel welcome, respected, and protected.

What you can expect: screened staff/volunteers, clear supervision, safe environments, age-appropriate programs, and culturally safe, LGBTIQA+SB-affirming practice.

If you’re worried: tell a staff member immediately. If a child is in immediate danger call 000. For support: Lifeline 13 11 14, 1800RESPECT 1800 737 732, Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800.

Help us keep kids safe: follow our sign-in/out steps, stay reachable during sessions, and share relevant needs (allergies, access, etc).

Questions or concerns? Please contact us via the website form.

 

The Poppet Centres Community Code of Conduct

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We’re a kind, inclusive community. Everyone - children, carers, visitors, staff - deserves respect.

Our ask: be courteous, patient, and mindful of noise; no bullying, discrimination, harassment, or aggressive behaviour; follow staff directions for safety.

If something’s not okay: speak to a team member early.  We find small issues are easier to resolve when we strike quick.

Serious or repeated breaches may lead to a pause in attendance to keep the space safe for all.

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Bookings, Refunds & Transfers at The Poppet Centre

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We aim to make bookings simple and fair.

Bookings: are confirmed once payment is received through our official system.

Refunds/cancellations: up to 8-days before the start: full refund or credit will be considered, please read refund and cancellation related policies when placing a booking.

Illness & emergencies: as we are a family based service many of our clients are potentially immunocompromised so if unwell please stay home; we’ll do our best to offer a transfer or credit.

Event changes: if we reschedule or cancel, you can choose a full refund or credit.

Need help with a booking? Reach out via the website.

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Attendance & Supervision of Children at The Poppet Centre

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Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult unless a program clearly states it’s drop-off.

Sign-in/out: please sign your child in/out and list who is authorised to collect.

Late pick-up: call us if you’re delayed; repeated late collection may incur a fee.

During family sessions: keep your child within sight and support them to engage safely.

Tell us about any access or other needs so we can plan well.

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Health, Safety & Infection Control at The Poppet Centre

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We keep our spaces clean and safe.

Please stay home if unwell (fever, cough, vomiting, diarrhoea, contagious conditions).
 

We provide first aid within our trained scope and call 000 for emergencies.

Hand hygiene, good ventilation, safe equipment, and risk checks are part of every session.

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Food & Allergy at The Poppet Centre

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Safety around food matters.

Allergy-aware: please tell us about allergies or anaphylaxis; bring any prescribed medication (e.g., EpiPen) and show our team where it is.

Shared food: unless stated, please don’t bring shared food.

BYO snacks: keep them nut-aware and tidy. We can set up a safe snack space on request.

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Online Programs & Digital Safety at The Poppet Centre

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When we meet online, we keep it safe and friendly.

Set-up: join with your first name; mute when not speaking; no recording or screenshots.

Children online: a parent/carer should be present or nearby; use a quiet, shared space at home.

Be kind: the Community Code of Conduct applies online too.

If something feels unsafe, leave the call and contact us or call 000 in an emergency.

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Behaviour Support & Positive Guidance at The Poppet Centre

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We use strengths-based, trauma-informed approaches to help children participate well.

We aim to: notice what’s going right, offer choices, reduce sensory load, and model calm.

If a child struggles: we’ll pause, support regulation, and work with carers on simple plans.

We do not follow punitive discipline. Safety plans are created collaboratively where needed.

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Complaints & Feedback at The Poppet Centre

 

We’re here to listen and improve.

Talk to us early as most issues can be resolved quickly.

Prefer in writing? Use the website form and name it “Feedback/Complaint.”

We’ll acknowledge your message promptly and outline next steps and timeframes.

You can also share compliments with our team - we all love hearing what’s working.​

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First Aid, Incident & Emergency at The Poppet Centre

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Your safety is our priority.

First aid: provided by trained staff within competence; we call 000 if needed.

Incidents: we record what happened, what we did, and any follow-up.

Evacuation: always follow staff directions; keep exits clear; mind little feet and prams.

We’ll let you know of any incidents involving your child as appropriate.

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Fees & Payment at The Poppet Centre

We keep fees transparent and fair.

What to know: prices are listed on the booking page; concessions may be available; payments are processed via our secure provider (we don’t store full card details).

Invoices & receipts: emailed automatically; ask us if something looks off.

For payment plans or support, get in touch.

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Data & Communications at The Poppet Centre

We send essential updates about your bookings and occasional news if you opt in.

Channels: email and SMS for reminders/changes; you can unsubscribe from news anytime.

Data retention: we keep records only as long as required for safety, quality, and the law then securely delete or de-identify.

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Social Media Community Guidelines at The Poppet Centre

Our socials are for celebration, connection, and useful info.

Be respectful: no bullying, hate speech, or personal attacks.

Privacy first: don’t share other people’s photos or names without permission.

We may moderate or remove posts that breach these guidelines..

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Excursions & Transport with The Poppet Centre

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When we head off-site, safety and consent lead the way.

Before we go: we’ll share the plan, supervision ratios, transport method, and what to bring.

Consent: written parent/carer consent is required for children.

On the day: we carry contacts, first aid, and follow our risk plan.

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Weather & Event Changes at The Poppet Centre

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These days weather can be dramatic!

Heat, storms, smoke: we may move activities indoors, shorten sessions, or reschedule to keep everyone safe.

We’ll notify you by SMS/email and offer a credit or refund if we have to cancel a planned event.

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Lost Property at The Poppet Centre

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It happens, but please make an effort to label your items where possible.

Found items are kept for 2 weeks then donated.

Ask a team member or message us with a description of the lost item and session details as soon as possible.

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Animals on Site of The Poppet Centre

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We love animals, but safety comes first.

Assistance animals are welcome.

Other pets are not permitted inside our programs/venues.

Please speak to a team member about any animal-related access needs.

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Volunteers & Visitors at The Poppet Centre

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We’re grateful for helpers and mindful of safety.

Volunteers: need Working With Children Check (WWCC) and an induction.

Visitors/contractors: must sign in and follow staff directions.

We match tasks to skills and keep supervision clear.

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Venue Hire & Partner Use at The Poppet Centre

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When partners use our space, but our standards still apply.

Requirements: child-safe compliance, public liability insurance, and adherence to our Code of Conduct and safety rules.

Branding and promotion must be accurate; confirm accessibility details in your event info.

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Gifts, Donations & Fundraising at The Poppet Centre

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Your support fuels community work.

Gifts & donations: we accept items or funds that align with our purpose and safety standards; receipts available for eligible donations.

Transparency: we report honestly on how funds are used.

Not sure if your idea fits? Ask us first.

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Research, Evaluation & Surveys at The Poppet Centre

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We learn with our community.

What we do: short surveys or de-identified participation data to improve programs and report to supporters.

Choice matters: you can opt out anytime; identifiable information is only used with your consent.

Questions about a survey? Please ask we’re happy to explain

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