Safeguarding Policy

The Founder's Cup is committed to creating a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for all students. This policy applies to all program participants including students, mentors, school coordinators, judges, and program staff.

1. Our Commitment

The Founder's Cup:

• Places the safety and wellbeing of students above all other considerations
• Maintains clear professional boundaries between adults and students in the program
• Requires all mentors to operate within defined communication boundaries
• Responds promptly and appropriately to any safeguarding concern
• Works in partnership with schools, whose own safeguarding policies take precedence for enrolled students

2. Mentor Screening and Conduct

Before being assigned to students, all mentors must:

• Complete a program induction covering their role, boundaries, and responsibilities
• Agree to the Mentor Code of Conduct (below)
• Provide identity verification
• Provide a Working with Children Check (WWCC) or equivalent State/Territory clearance, or confirm existing clearance through their employer

Mentor Code of Conduct

All mentors agree to:

• Communicate with students only through the program platform (app.foundercup.com). Direct contact outside the platform is not permitted.
• Keep all feedback and communication professional, constructive, and relevant to the program
• Never request personal contact information (phone number, personal social media) from students
• Not meet students in person outside of program-sanctioned events
• Report any concern about a student's welfare to the school coordinator and program director immediately
• Maintain confidentiality of student submission content

3. School Coordinator Responsibilities

Each participating school nominates a coordinator who:

• Acts as the primary safeguarding contact for that school's cohort
• Monitors student engagement and flags any concerns to program staff
• Ensures that Demo Day and any in-person events comply with the school's own safeguarding policies
• Has admin access to the program platform to view all mentor-student communications

4. Platform Communication Boundaries

All mentor-student communication takes place within the program platform. School coordinators have read access to all messaging threads. Communications are logged and retained. Students are encouraged to report any message that makes them uncomfortable.

5. In-Person Events (Demo Day)

For all in-person program events:

• Events are held on school premises or publicly accessible, supervised venues
• At least one school staff member is present throughout
• Students are not left unsupervised with external visitors
• Photography requires school and parental consent
• Event access is limited to invited participants

6. Reporting a Concern

If a student, parent, mentor, or school staff member has a concern about a student's safety or welfare:

• First: Contact the school coordinator (for enrolled students, the school's own safeguarding procedures apply)
• Program concerns: Contact Luke Lombe at hello@foundercup.com or +61 459 926 216
• Immediate risk: Contact SAPOL on 000 or the Child Abuse Report Line (CARL) on 13 14 78

All reports are treated seriously and confidentially. We do not tolerate any form of retaliation against a person who raises a concern in good faith.

7. Data and Privacy

Student personal data is handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy. Student submission content is only accessible to their assigned mentor and school coordinator. No student personal information is shared externally without consent.

8. Policy Review

This policy is reviewed annually and updated as required. Schools may request a copy of this policy and our mentor screening records at any time.

9. Contact

Luke Lombe — Program Director, Echelon One Pty Ltd
hello@foundercup.com  ·  +61 459 926 216