Statement of Commitment to Child Safety
Our
Service, educators and staff are committed to
safety and wellbeing of all children and young people. We understand our
responsibilities and statutory duty of care to comply with both the Victorian
Child Safe Standards and the Reportable Conduct Scheme to build our capacity as
a Service to prevent and respond to allegations of child abuse.
Our Service is committed to
implementing our Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy and Child Safe Environment Policy based on
Child Safe Standards in Victoria (2022), which accentuates our zero
tolerance for child abuse and raises awareness about the importance of
child safety in our Service and the community.
We adhere to our
comprehensive Child Protection Policy, standing by our mandatory
reporting responsibilities to protect children from physical, sexual, emotional
and psychological abuse and neglect. Our reporting mechanisms are clear,
accessible, and designed to protect the privacy and well-being of all parties
involved.
We are committed to ongoing
professional development for employees to maintain their ability to distinguish
and respond to situations of abuse and neglect, ensuring employees are
responsive to their responsibilities in keeping children safe. We ensure all staff, volunteers and students engaged at
our Service are suitable to come into contact with children and young people
through rigorous employment procedures and Working with Children Checks.
We work in collaboration
with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and have
confidence in educating children about their right to be safe. We believe in
listening to and empowering children to express their view and thoughts on
matters that directly affect them and raise any concerns regarding their safety
or safety of others.
We are committed to
maintaining a physically safe environment for children by conducting regular
risk assessments, inspections and conducting
evaluations and audits to identify and address potential hazards. We believe
children have the right to develop a strong sense of identity by providing an
inclusive, safe and supportive atmosphere where children build confidence,
self-worth, and social skills through interactions and play.
We value diversity and cultivate
empathy, respect, and care in all children, including Aboriginal children and
those from diverse backgrounds whether
cultural, linguistic, disabled, or encompassing gender identities. We
encourage children to recognise stereotypes and diversities, gain a deeper
grasp of cultural identity and learn about their rights and responsibilities as
engaged citizens through connections with local communities.
Our commitment to child
safety is embedded in every aspect of our Service and is reflected in our
philosophy, policies, practices, and interactions. We value feedback,
children’s voice and communication with families and the community to assist
with input towards the reviews of our policies and procedures, ensuring
continuous improvement in child safe practices. The
Service policies and procedures are developed with the children’s voice to help
keep all children safe from harm and abuse.
