YourCH Statement of Commitment to Child Safety
YourCH is committed to the safety, wellbeing, participation and empowerment of all children.
We support and respect all children. We actively listen to children, ensuring their voices are heard and considered when we make decisions that affect them. We promptly address any concerns they raise to ensure they are protected. We are an inclusive organisation that is committed to the cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, the cultural safety of children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds and to providing a safe environment for children with a disability.
YourCH recognises that there is a continuum of harm and abuse, and that all such events on this continuum are damaging to a child. YourCH is committed to preventing the exposure of children to harm and abuse.
YourCH’s Child Safety guiding principles
1. Respect: We will treat everyone equally, regardless of who they are or their age. We will ensure that everyone feels safe, welcome and respected.
2. Inform: We will ensure that children [and young people] are informed of their physical, emotional and online rights and what actions to take if they feel unsafe.
3. Family and community: Where it is safe to do so, we will involve families and communities in our approach to child safety and wellbeing.
4. Help: We will help children [and young people] to work towards their goals in life.
5. Safety: We will ensure that children (and young people) feel safe and comfortable in our care. All persons in our organisation will be supported to safely disclose risks of harm to children [or young people]. We will take seriously, and act immediately in relation to, any reports of child abuse.
6. Staff and volunteers: We will ensure that all workers whom we engage have been appropriately screened and trained to work positively with children (and young people).
7. Include children in decisions: We will seek input and feedback from children [and young people] and empower them to participate in decisions affecting their lives or care.
8. Give voice: We will help children (and young people) to voice their concerns and complaints about the organisation, and we will take their input seriously.
9. Safe environment: We will ensure that our physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing.
10. Cultural Safety: We will ensure the cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. We will ensure that all children, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are provided with a safe, nurturing and positive environment where they are comfortable with being themselves, expressing their culture and are supported by a carer that encourages their sense of self and identity.
11. Policies and procedures: We will document, regularly review and continuously improve our policies and procedures to promote and uphold child safety and wellbeing.
