Child Safe Policy

 Purpose 

Ballarat North Neighbourhood House (BNNH) is committed to the safety and well-being of all children and young people. This policy outlines our approach to creating and maintaining a child-safe environment, ensuring that children are protected from harm and their rights are upheld. 

Scope 

This policy applies to all children, parents, carers, staff, volunteers, and stakeholders associated with BNNH. 

Child Safe Standards 

BNNH is committed to the Victorian Government child safe standards: 

  1. Culturally Safe Environment: Establish a culturally safe environment where the diverse identities and experiences of Aboriginal children are respected and valued. 

  2. Child Safety and Wellbeing: Embed child safety and wellbeing in organisational leadership, governance, and culture. 

  3. Empowerment of Children: Empower children and young people about their rights, and ensure they participate in decisions affecting them. 

  4. Family and Community Involvement: Involve families and communities in promoting child safety and wellbeing. 

  5. Equity and Diversity: Uphold equity and respect diverse needs in policy and practice. 

  6. Suitability of Personnel: Ensure people working with children are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values. 

  7. Child-Focused Complaints Processes: Have processes for complaints and concerns that are child-focused. 

  8. Education and Training: Equip staff and volunteers with the knowledge, skills, and awareness to keep children safe through ongoing education and training. 

  9. Safe Physical and Online Environments: Promote safety and wellbeing in physical and online environments, minimizing the opportunity for harm. 

  10. Regular Review and Improvement: Regularly review and improve the implementation of the Child Safe Standards. 

  11. Documented Policies and Procedures: Document how the organisation is safe for children and young people. 

Roles and Responsibilities

  • Children and Families: Have the right to feel safe and be heard. 

  • Staff and Volunteers: Have the responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of children and to follow the established procedures

  • BNNH: Has the responsibility to provide a safe environment and ensure all child safety standards are met. 

Reporting and Responding to Child Safety Concerns 

  • Mandatory Reporting: All staff and volunteers are required to comply with mandatory reporting obligations. If any staff or volunteer suspects that a child is at risk of harm, they must report this to the relevant child protection authorities immediately. 

  • Reporting to Police: If there is an immediate risk to the child's safety or a criminal offence has been committed, the matter must be reported to the police and the manager immediately. The manager is then responsible for reporting this to the Committee of Management informed. 

  • Internal Reporting: Concerns about child safety should be reported to the designated Child Safety Officer. 

Training and Education

BNNH will provide regular training and education to staff and volunteers on child safety, including recognising and responding to child abuse, understanding the child safe standards, and creating a child-safe environment. 

Review and Monitoring 

This policy will be reviewed annually or as needed to ensure it remains effective and responsive to the needs of children and their families. 

Regular Review  

This policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains relevant and compliant with current laws and best practices. 

Contact Information  

For any questions or concerns about this policy, please contact us at: info@bnnh.org.au or Manager at Ballarat North Neighbourhood House Inc PO Box 1068 Bakery Hill, VIC 3354.