Hawkesbury City Council now has a Child Safe Policy which can be accessed at www.hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au/your-council/policies-and-registers
The Child Safe Policy is a demonstration of Council’s commitment to keeping children safe and assists Council meet current legislative requirements.
Council is now implementing the 10 Child Safe Standards. The Standards provide a framework and give clear guidance to create cultures, adopt strategies and act to put the interests of children and young people first.
The Child Safe Standards are:
- Child safety is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture
- Children participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously
- Families and communities are informed and involved
- Equity is upheld and diverse needs are taken into account
- People working with children are suitable and supported
- Processes to respond to complaints of child abuse are child-focused
- Staff are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children safe through continual education and training
- Physical and online environments minimise the opportunity for abuse to occur
- Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is continuously reviewed and improved
- Policies and procedures document how the organisation is child safe.
The standards focus on education and training across the organisation, policies and processes, and engagement with children, young people and their families.
Council is committed to the safety of all children and young people, paying particular attention to the needs of Aboriginal children, children living with a disability and children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Councils’ Statement of Commitment to Child Safety will be proudly displayed at Council facilities over the coming weeks.
The Children’s Guardian Act 2019 includes changes to the Reportable Conduct Scheme and the role of the Office of the Children’s Guardian (OCG) in regulating Child Safe Organisations.
