COMMITMENT TO CHILD SAFETY STATEMENT
Our Service Olsen Avenue Community Children’s Centre is fully committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for all children and young people in our care. We recognise our responsibility to uphold the National Child Safe Principles and to implement the Child Safe Standards to enhance our ability to prevent and address any allegations of child abuse.
We have clear guidelines in place regarding acceptable and unacceptable behaviour between adults and children, ensuring strict boundaries are maintained to safeguard children’s well-being. This approach extends to staff, volunteers, and the broader community. .
Child protection is our main priority. We ensure that all staff members undergo thorough checks prior to commencement of employment, including Working with Children Checks, inductions into service policies and procedures as well as ensuring all employees have adequate training and knowledge in relation to interactions with children, child protection and mandatory reporting obligations, to ensure their suitability to work with children and young people.
Our service has developed and follows a Child Safe Environment Policy, which aligns with the Child Safe Standards, and reinforces our strong commitment to zero tolerance for child abuse. We are dedicated to promoting the safety and well-being of every child within our service and the wider community.
Our Child Protection Policy outlines our mandatory reporting responsibilities, ensuring prompt and correct action is taken to address any incidents of physical, sexual, emotional, or psychological abuse or neglect. We are also committed to sharing information appropriately and lawfully with other relevant organisations to ensure the safety of children.
In line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, we work to educate children about their right to safety and encourage them to speak up if they feel unsafe. We empower children to express their views and concerns, ensuring their voices are heard and valued.
As part of our ongoing commitment to child safety, we listen to children, families, and carers, addressing any concerns they may have. We also commit to regularly reviewing and updating our policies and procedures in line with the Child Safe Standards, ensuring continuous improvement in our child protection practices.