BACKGROUND

Commonwealth Frameworks

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (Royal Commission) found that organisations need to provide an environment where children feel (and are) safe, protected and respected.

In response to the Royal Commission’s findings, in 2019 the Australian Government developed the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations (National Principles). These principles were subsequently endorsed by all state and territory governments. Several states have legislated the principles as standards that organisations that provide services to children, must legally comply with.

The guidelines for child safety as detailed in this guide seeks to provide a safe environment for children and young people in accordance with the 10 national principles.

The 10 National Child Safe Principles

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 well-being
4. Equity is upheld and diverse needs 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 and practice
6. Processes to respond to complaints and concerns are child focused
7. Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people say 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 ChildSafe principles is regularly reviewed and improved
10. Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people

The legislative framework for child safety in each state and territory do differ, with the following links detailing each state and territories laws.

https://aifs.gov.au/resources/resource-sheets/australian-child-protection-legislation

Each state and territory have a government department or independent authority who have responsibility for the guiding and supporting of organisations that provide services for children, and can be contacted for specific advice regarding the requirements and expectations for child safety in that state or territory: