Child Safe Policy

The Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare Tas/Vic Inc. (the Centre) is the peak body in Victoria and Tasmania representing member organisations and individuals in the child and family services sector. Our vision is that all Victorian and Tasmanian children, young people and families are safe, happy, heard and connected, with access to education and support when they need it.

The 2014 Victorian Government Parliamentary Inquiry into the Handling of Child Abuse by Religious and other Non-Government Organisations found that there is a need to make organisations in Victoria safer for children to protect them from various types of child abuse. The implementation of Child Safe Standards in Victoria aims to create and maintain child safe environments in all organisations that provide services to children. The Tasmanian Government has recently committed to implementation of all recommendations in response to the Final Report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Tasmanian Government’s Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Institutional Settings. Our Child Safety policy is consistent with these findings and with the findings of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

The Centre does not directly provide services to children and young people. However the Centre works to develop, influence and advocate for public policies that advance the rights and wellbeing of children, young people and families, and address the social, economic and cultural barriers to improving their lives. The Centre also provides Child Safe Standards training and learning and development opportunities to our sector.  On occasion, Centre staff have direct or indirect contact with children and young people in their role at the Centre, such as through celebrations of achievements of young people living in out of home care, youth advisory groups, or foster care promotional events.

The Centre recognises the right of children to be safe at all times, and is committed to creating and maintaining a child safe organisation where protecting children, and preventing and responding to child abuse is embedded in the everyday thinking and practice of all Centre employees, volunteers and contractors, and the wider community.

The Centre is committed to being a child safe organisation and has zero tolerance for child abuse.

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to demonstrate the strong commitment of the Centre to the safety, wellbeing and empowerment of children and young people, and provide an outline of the policies, procedures and strategies developed to embed child safety into our work at the Centre.

This policy takes into account relevant legislative requirements within the State of Victoria, including the Child Safe Standards.

To whom does this Child Safety Policy relate?

Government inquiries into child abuse in organisational settings have consistently found that a culture of child safety is enhanced by recognising the importance of child safety at all levels of an organisation, including leadership (board, committees, CEO, director/executive), staff and volunteers. A culture of child safety should exist throughout an organisation, not only for those who work directly with children.

A culture of child safety exists where:

• Everyone in the organisation (staff, volunteers, contractors, students on placement etc.) know and understand the organisation’s commitment to child safety.
• Staff, volunteers, children and families feel comfortable and supported when talking about and reporting any child safety concerns.
• Leadership is aware of allegations and substantiated cases of abuse and responds in ways that protect children from abuse, and prioritises their needs above the organisation’s reputation.
• There is a commitment to continuous improvement through regular reviews of policies and practices.
• Organisations are open to scrutiny.

This Child Safety Policy applies to everyone who works for or represents the Centre, including:

• Board members
• Employees
• Contractors
• External trainers
• Agency staff
• Consultants
• Volunteers
• Students over the age of 18 on placement

For the purpose of this Child Safety Policy, ‘child /children’ includes any person up to the age of 18 years with whom the above-mentioned people have contact through their position, engagement or representation of the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare Tas/Vic Inc.

Background

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child recognises that children have a right to be protected from all forms of abuse, neglect and maltreatment and to be able to enjoy the full range of human rights, including civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights. Children have the right to be safe in an organisational setting.

The Centre is committed to promoting the work and findings of the Victorian Government Parliamentary Inquiry into the Handling of Child Abuse by Religious and other Non-Government Organisations (Betrayal of Trust report 2013), the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (Final Report December 2017), the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (Final Report September 2023) and the Commission of Inquiry into the Tasmanian Government’s Response to Child Sexual Abuse in Institutional Settings (Final Report September 2023).

In 2023, the findings of the landmark Australian Child Maltreatment Study (ACMS) were released, highlighting five types of child maltreatment (physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, and exposure to domestic violence) and the long-term harm caused by exposure to these experiences in childhood. The Centre brought together over 200 sector leaders and government stakeholders in June 2023 to hear the findings of the ACMS and has hosted several other events aimed at promoting understanding of the ACMS findings and advocating for a stronger focus on preventative work nationally and in each jurisdiction to keep children safe.

The Centre continues to promote the work of these inquiries by providing our members with:

• information and updates on the work of these inquiries
• information regarding the implementation of recommendations arising from these inquiries
• facilitating forums, such as how to create child safe organisations
• developing resources and training about child safety and the Reportable Conduct Scheme
• delivering training on the new Child Safe Standards and supporting organisations to map and address any risks to child safety
• advocating for implementation of recommendations, such as the establishment and implementation of a redress scheme.

As a peak body with a strong commitment to child safe environments, the Centre is well placed to be engaged by Government and non-Government organisations to develop and deliver information sessions on the findings of the various child safety inquiries to improve responses to child abuse. The Centre has delivered training and projects to assist with the implementation of the child safe standards across a variety of organisations including municipal councils, the Commission for Children and Young People, performing arts organisations, schools including international students, early childhood educators, children’s services, hospitals, health centres, sexual assault services, family violence services, counselling services, housing and homelessness services, disability service providers, sports and recreation groups, camps providers, entertainment services, education services and recreation groups such as girl guides and scouts.

The Centre’s CEO, Ms Deb Tsorbaris, is a member of the National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse and sits on the Board of Families Australia, the national, not-for-profit, peak body organisation committed to improving the safety and wellbeing of children and families.

The Centre continues to inform the child, youth and families sector on the learning and research from various inquiries to ensure appropriate responses to past victims of child sexual abuse and the future protection of children from abuse and neglect in institutional settings.

Child safety is everyone’s responsibility.

The Centre recognises the importance of creating and maintaining a child safe environment and all people to whom this policy applies must actively promote and encourage a child safe culture. Child safety awareness is promoted and openly discussed within the organisation.  Our organisational culture aims for all members of our community to feel confident and comfortable in discussing any allegations of child abuse or child safety concerns and to know that these will be acted upon in the best interests and safety of the child.

Roles and responsibilities

All people to whom this policy applies have a responsibility to make sure that the wellbeing and safety of children is at the forefront of all they do and every decision they make which may impact on children. The Centre’s Child Safety Code of Conduct outlines the expected behaviours of all people to whom this policy applies.

It is the responsibility of the Centre to:

• create an environment for children and young people to be safe and feel safe
• endorse and regularly review the Centre’s Child Safe Policy and make sure it addresses the requirements of the Child Safe Standards
• actively promote and uphold the Centre’s Statement of Commitment to Child Safety and Child Safety Code of Conduct at all times.

It is the responsibility of Centre’s Board and Executive Management to:

• create an environment for children and young people to be safe and to feel safe
• uphold high principles and standards for all staff, interns, volunteers and contractors
• promote models of behaviour between adults, children and young people based on mutual respect and consideration
• ensure thorough and rigorous practices are applied in the recruitment, screening and ongoing professional training and induction of staff in relation to Child Safe Standards and the inclusion principles
• ensure that personnel have regular and appropriate supervision and learning to develop their knowledge of, openness to, and ability to address child safety matters
• ensure that personnel have regular and appropriate supervision and learning to develop their knowledge of Aboriginal cultural awareness, and understanding of safety issues facing other vulnerable groups of children
• provide regular opportunities to clarify and confirm legislative obligations, policy and procedures in relation to the protection and wellbeing of children
• ensure the Centre meets the specific requirements of the Victorian and National Child Safe Standards and that all staff abide by these requirements and act on any breaches that compromise the safety to children.

It is the responsibility of all people to whom this policy applies to:

• treat children and young people with dignity and respect, act with propriety, provide a duty of care, and protect children and young people in their care
• follow the legislative and internal Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare Tas/Vic Inc. processes in relation to reporting and responding to child safety concerns
• provide a physically and psychologically safe environment where the wellbeing of children and young people is nurtured
• undertake regular training and education in order to understand their individual responsibilities in relation to child safety and the wellbeing of children and young people with additional needs
• assist children and young people to develop positive, responsible and caring attitudes and behaviours which recognise the rights of all people to be safe and free from abuse
• uphold the Centre’s Child Safe Statement of Commitment and follow the Centre’s Child Safe Policy and Code of Conduct.

Child safeguarding training and coaching

The Centre’s Learning and Business Development unit has a dedicated team of Practice Leads who have extensive experience working with vulnerable and at risk children, often with Child Protection involvement. This team is overseen by an Executive Manager who acts as a source of support, advice and expertise on child safety and liaises with relevant areas of the Centre to maintain visibility of child safety and embed a culture of child safety and continuous improvement at the Centre. The Centre supports member organisations to remain child safe through training, policy audits and e-learns.

Code of Conduct

The Centre has a Child Safety Code of Conduct. While most of the work done by the Centre does not involve direct contact with children, all of our work has at its core a vision that all children, young people and families are safe, happy and connected, with access to education and support as and when they need it.

Accordingly, all people to whom this policy applies will be made aware of, and must abide by, the Centre’s Child Safety Code of Conduct.

Risk management

The Centre has adopted a range of measures to identify and manage risks of child abuse in the Centre’s physical and online settings, to promote a safe and healthy environment for children, families, employees, volunteers and the community.  These strategies seek to identify, reduce and remove the risk of abuse to children.

Human resources and recruitment

The Centre requires a Working with Children’s Check and National Police Check of all its employees and contractors, consistent with the Centre’s vision that all children, young people and families are safe, happy and connected. This vision guides the work of the Centre and is reflected in the checks required of its employees. The Centre maintains a register of all staff and volunteers with Working with Children Checks.

In addition, the Centre uses screening, supervision, training and other human resources practices that reduce the risk of child abuse by new and existing employees, interns, volunteers and contractors.

Applicants for roles at the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare Tas/Vic Inc. are advised of the Centre’s commitment to child safety and a range of mechanisms are used to screen candidates and select suitable employees, both in relation to child safety and the principles of inclusion.

The Centre periodically reviews and develops human resource management policies and practices to ensure they comply with the Child Safe Standards.

Training and supervision

The Centre will inform and educate staff and volunteers about its Statement of Commitment to Child Safety, Child Safe Policy, Child Safety Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.  All staff and volunteers are expected to promote child safety in the course of their duties. Interns on placement with the Centre are made aware of our child safety policies and procedures.

The Centre provides regular training in child safety and Aboriginal cultural safety.

Reporting and responding to a child safety concern

All reasonable steps must be taken to protect children from abuse and harm.

All suspected and alleged child abuse must be reported to the Centre’s CEO, and/or the Victorian Police or Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, Child Protection.

All criminal matters must be reported to Victoria Police.

All adult members of the Victorian community have a moral responsibility to report allegations of child abuse if they hold a reasonable belief that an incident has occurred.  Factors contributing to reasonable belief may be:

• a child states they or someone they know has been abused (noting that sometimes the child may in fact be referring to themselves)
• a parent or carer tells you about concerns, suspicions or allegations
• a member of the community tells you about concerns, suspicions or allegations
• behavior consistent with that of an abuse victim is observed
• someone else has raised a suspicion of abuse but is unwilling to report it
• observing suspicious behavior.

People must also observe their individual legal obligations regarding reporting child abuse, including failure to protect and failure to disclose criminal offences, and mandatory reporting obligations.

The Centre will inform parents or carers of any child safety concerns their children raise with staff or volunteers, where appropriate and deemed in the best interests of the child. The Centre may seek the advice of the Victorian Police or the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, Child Protection in this regard.

The Centre takes all allegations of abuse seriously and will investigate all allegations with reference to due process and procedural fairness for all parties concerned. This may include reporting the allegations to the Victorian Police or the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, Child Protection.

If an allegation of abuse or a safety concern is raised, the Centre will:

• ensure that procedures for responding to alleged abuse are fair and focus on child safety, for example by suspending the alleged perpetrator or providing them with alternative duties pending investigation
• provide support and comfort to a child or young person reporting abuse or safety concerns, and never blame or interrogate them
• ensure processes for responding to suspected child abuse explicitly include culturally appropriate responses where suspected abuse involves an Aboriginal child or young person
• provide progress updates (as appropriate), ongoing support or make referrals for support to alleged victims, their families and affected staff, such as helping them understand their rights and the process that will be followed in responding to allegations, and assistance in accessing counselling or other support as required
• provide contact details for internal and/or external expertise so that staff have access to advice when managing child safety incidents, including expertise relating to Aboriginal children, culturally and/or linguistically diverse children, and children with a disability
• undertake timely reviews of organisational child safe policies and procedures to be followed if child abuse occurs
• review organisational responses following an incident to help drive continuous improvement.

All reports of child safety concerns, allegations and actions taken will be recorded and stored securely to ensure the privacy of all parties.

If you believe a child is at immediate risk of abuse, phone 000.

Legislative Responsibilities

All people to whom this policy applies must comply with their legal responsibilities, including:

• Failure to disclose: Reporting child sexual abuse is a community-wide responsibility. All adults in Victoria who have a reasonable belief that an adult has committed a sexual offence against a child under the age of 16 have an obligation to report that information to the police.
• Failure to protect: People of authority in our organisation will commit a criminal offence if they know of a substantial risk of child sexual abuse and have the power or responsibility to reduce or remove the risk, but negligently fail to do so.
• Mandatory reporting: Some professionals such as doctors, nurses, police and teachers (including early childhood teachers) are legally obliged to report suspected child abuse. These personnel are deemed to be ‘mandatory reporters’ and must comply with their duties in accordance with the law, including the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 (Vic). It does not constitute unprofessional conduct or breach of professional ethics if a report to child protection services is made in good faith.

Further information about child protection obligations can be found on the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing website.

Further information about the criminal offences of failure to disclose and failure to protect can be found on the Victorian Department of Justice and Community Safety website.

Children’s participation and empowerment

The Centre recognises a child safe organisation fosters an environment in which children are listened to, their views valued, and their concerns acted upon.

In keeping with the Child Safe Standards, the Centre aims to ensure:

• its reporting procedures, for when a child feels unsafe, are accessible for all children
• children understand what child abuse is, and their rights (in an age appropriate manner)
• children feel safe, empowered and taken seriously if they raise concerns
• children feel empowered to contribute to the Centre’s understanding and treatment of child safety
• children’s reports of concern are responded to appropriately
• staff and volunteers understand how to empower children and encourage their participation.