Child safe policy

Child Safe Policy

Policy Statement & Purpose

Patches is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people who engage with our services. This policy outlines our approach to creating a child-safe environment, meeting all legislative and mandatory requirements, and embedding child safety into our culture and practices.

Scope

This policy applies to all Patches staff, practitioners, volunteers, contractors, and any individuals interacting with children and young people through our programs, both in person and virtually.

Policy Statement

Patches upholds a zero-tolerance approach to child abuse and harm. Our commitment includes:

Promoting the rights of children and young people, particularly those with neurodivergent needs, ensuring they are heard and respected.
Ensuring all practitioners meet national child safety standards and mandatory training requirements.
Creating a culturally safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all children and families.
Establishing effective systems for reporting, managing complaints, and assessing and mitigating risks.

Definitions

Children: Any individual under the age of 18.

Child Harm or Abuse: Any act that causes or has the potential to cause physical, emotional, or psychological harm to a child. This includes physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, and exposure to family violence.

Mandatory Reporting: The legal obligation of certain professionals and organisations to report suspected child abuse or harm to relevant child protection authorities. Failure to comply with mandatory reporting laws can result in legal consequences.

Cultural Safety: An environment that is respectful of, and supportive of, an individual’s cultural identity and heritage. It involves creating spaces where people feel safe and empowered to express their cultural values without experiencing discrimination or prejudice.

1. Principles and Compliance

Our policy aligns with:

The National Principles for Child Safe Organisations: Ensuring adherence to best practices for child safety.
State and Territory-Specific Standards: Compliance with child safety standards across Australia.
Legislative Requirements: Including mandatory reporting laws and other relevant legal obligations.

Key principles include:

Embedding child safety in leadership, governance, and culture.
Respecting and supporting equity, diversity, and inclusivity.
Empowering children to participate and express their views.
Maintaining safe physical and online environments.

2. Strategies for a Child-Safe Environment

2.1 Cultural Safety

Recognise and respect the cultural identities of all children, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
Provide cultural competency training for staff to foster inclusion.

2.2 Leadership and Governance

Leaders and managers must visibly champion child safety, modelling positive behaviours and promoting a culture that prioritises child welfare.
Governance structures should support the effective implementation of this policy, with transparency and accountability at all levels.

2.3 Child Empowerment

Actively involve children in discussions and decisions regarding their safety and wellbeing.
Provide multiple avenues for children to express their views, including non-verbal communication methods.

2.4 Family and Community Involvement

Engage families in the development of child safety strategies.
Share relevant child safety policies and resources with the community.

2.5 Online and Physical Safety

Implement safeguards for online interactions, ensuring secure platforms for remote assessments and therapy.
Conduct regular risk assessments for physical spaces used by Patches.

3. Recruitment and Training

All staff and volunteers must undergo thorough background checks, including Working with Children Checks, reference checks, and interviews to assess child safety values.
Staff receive mandatory training on child safety, neurodivergence awareness, and legal reporting obligations. Regular refresher courses will be provided to keep everyone up to date on the latest child safety practices.

4. Responding to Complaints and Concerns

Establish clear, child-friendly methods for children and families to report concerns. Information about these mechanisms should be available in multiple languages and formats.
Handle all complaints and concerns with the utmost confidentiality. Investigate promptly and ensure the safety and wellbeing of children remain the top priority.
Comply with all reporting obligations, including mandatory notifications to relevant child protection authorities.

5. Monitoring and Continuous Improvement

Review this policy annually or following significant incidents or legislative updates.
Collect feedback from children, families, and staff to enhance our child safety approach.
Analyse complaints and incidents to identify patterns or areas for enhancement and implement corrective actions.