Child safe organisations

What is a child safe organisation?

A child safe organisation is one that creates a culture, adopts strategies and takes action to promote wellbeing and prevent harm to children and young people.

They:

• put children’s safety and wellbeing at the centre of values and actions
• listen to and value the views of children and young people
• create conditions that reduce the likelihood of harm
• create conditions that increase the likelihood of identifying any harm
• respond to any concerns, disclosures, allegations or suspicions of harm.

Many organisations work to ensure child safety and wellbeing by:

• screening employees and volunteers for suitability to work with children
• meeting child safe requirements under state or territory laws.

However there are many other steps an organisation can take.

The Commission has developed a range of practical tools and resources for organisations.

They include:

• an introductory self-assessment tool
  
• a charter of commitment to children and young people
• a child safety and wellbeing policy template
• an example child safe code of conduct
• a checklist for online safety.

We have also developed a guide for parents and carers. You can find all of these below.

National Principles for Child Safe Organisations

Following the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, the Australian Government commissioned us to develop National Principles for Child Safe Organisations.

Governments across Australia have endorsed these principles:

1. Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture.
2. Children and young people are informed about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.
3. Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.
4. Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice.
5. People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice.
6. Processes to respond to complaints and concerns are child focused.
7. Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training.
8. Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed.
9. Implementation of the national child safe principles is regularly reviewed and improved.
10. Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people.

E-learning modules

We have developed 11 e-learning modules to help people working or volunteering in organisations that engage with children and young people.

They will increase your understanding of the National Principles and how to implement them.

Each module takes around 20 minutes to complete.

Access the free e-learning modules (login required).

You might also like

• Download the National Principles in different community languages at the National Office for Child Safety.
• How to raise concerns or report abuse.