Child Safe Policy

1 INTRODUCTION

Our policy guides workers (paid and volunteer) on how to behave when interacting and engaging with children in our organisation. The policy focuses on how we can build and maintain a child safe environment which is inclusive, transparent and promotes children’s participation.

2. CHILDREN’S PARTICIPATION

Our Organisation supports the active participation of children in the programs, activities and services we offer.We provide a range of ways to allow children to provide feedback or raise concerns. We listen to their views, respect what they say and involve them when we make decisions, especially about matters that will directly affect them.

3. RECRUITMENT

Our Organisation will maintain a rigorous and consistent recruitment, screening and selection process. We will only employ workers after we have approved their Working With Children Check, called appropriate references and select them via an interview process.

4. COMPLAINTS MANAGEMENT AND REPORTING

As per Organisational Procedure – Children, workers and families may be able to raise concerns or complaints via feedback forms located at one of our events or on our website. We also accept any sent directly to our email address enquiries@LatinosEnSydney.com.au Although we do listen to verbal feedback, it is highly encourage to be in a written format. We have trained staff, with the Child Supervisor being the Child Safety Contact person. Alternatively, other staff working in the child sector can also be contacted to manage child related complaints.

Complaint Handling Process:

* Acknowledge & Confirm complaint was received

* Remove children from any immediate danger

* Open an investigation

* Inform relevant superior of ongoing investigation

* Summary of Investigation & Conclusion

* Update Superior

* Contact the person that made the complaint & inform of conclusion

* Take any appropriate disciplinary actions

* Contact the appropriate authorities, departments or offices.

5. TRAINING, SUPPORT AND SUPERVISION OF WORKERS

* We promote respect, fairness and consideration for all workers.

* All new workers will receive a copy of all child safe policies and procedures and a more senior worker will set up a meeting to discuss the policies and allow the new worker to ask questions and clarify their understanding.

* Child safe is a subject workers are encouraged to ask questions and contribute to the continuous improvement of child-safe policies, procedures, and practices in the workplace.

6. OTHER LEGISLATION, INDUSTRY STANDARDS, OR INTERNAL POLICIES

* Child Protection (Working With Children) Act 2012

* Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998

* Recruitment Policy

* Disciplinary Policy

* Codes of Conduct

* Vision, Values, and Aims Statement

* Complaints and allegation Policy

* Australian Privacy Principles

* Australian Consumer Law

* Notification of Photographic Media Recording

7. COMMUNICATION

* We will hold regular information sessions for staff and volunteers

* Our Policy will be discussed during induction sessions for all new staff and volunteers

* Kids and parents joining our program/s will receive a copy of the Policy, Code of Conduct, and Dealing with the Complaints process

8. REVIEW

The Policy and guidelines will be reviewed every three years and incorporate comments and suggestions from workers, children, and families.