Community Languages Australia

Australian Federation of Ethnic Schools Associations Inc.

Child Safe Organisation

The National Principles give effect to the child-safe standards recommended by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse

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(the Royal Commission). The National Principles set out a nationally consistent approach to creating organisational cultures and practices that promote the safety and well-being of children in Australia. The National Principles include information on how to implement them in practice through key actions and performance measures.



National Principles for Child-Safe Organisations

1. Child safety and well-being 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 are respected in policy and practice.

5. People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and well-being values in practice.

6. Processes for 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 well-being 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.



What is a child-safe organisation?

A child-safe organisation puts the best interests of children and young people first.

Children can gain great benefits from being involved with organisations of various kinds – such as local sports clubs, pre-schools, schools or youth centers. Organisations can enable children to meet friends, learn new skills and be active participants in their community.

The vast majority of organisations, staff and volunteers are motivated to do what is best for children and young people. Many organisations are already working to ensure child safety and wellbeing, for example, by having a child safety and wellbeing policy or screening workers for suitability to work with children.

The Australian community should be confident that all organisations working with children and young people provide safe environments where their rights, needs and interests are met.

A child-safe organisation consciously and systematically:

There are a number of practical tools and resources that can help organisations implement the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations, and help parents and carers learn about child safety organisations.

Child safety and wellbeing links and resources

The websites and bodies linked below provide information and resources on children’s rights, child safety and well-being at the international, national and state/territory levels.

For links to support services and resources on responding to children’s disclosures of abuse, see our Support page.

International

National

State/Territory

Many organisations engaging with children and young people are regulated through state or territory legislative requirements, including working with children checks.

For information about state and territory requirements, see these resource sheets developed by the Australian Institute of Family Studies:

The links below provide information about child safety requirements, initiatives and resources in each state and territory.

Australian Capital Territory

New South Wales

Northern Territory

Queensland

South Australia

Tasmania

Victoria

Western Australia

Contact Us

Community Languages Australia

Executive Officer: Fahry Abubaker

L2, 189 Faraday St,
Carlton Vic 3053


Email: abubaker.fahry.f@communitylanguages.org.au
Phone: (03) 9349-2683
Fax: (03) 9349-26893