The Australian Human Rights Commission has released a draft of the National Statement of Principles for Child Safe Organisations for consultation. Feedback are requested from across all sectors working with children and young people. The peak body National Disability Services is on the implementation advisory group to provide the perspective of the disability sector. The intention of the Principles is to foster child safe cultures across all sectors providing services to children and young people to ensure their safety and wellbeing.

The National Statement of Principles consultation draft sets out the following 10 principles for organisations:

1. A commitment to child safety and wellbeing 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 wellbeing.
4. Equity is promoted and diversity is respected in policy and practice.
5. People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice.
6. Processes for complaints and concerns are responsive, understood, accessible and used by children, young people, families, staff and volunteers.
7. Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training.
8. Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed.
9. Organisations regularly review and improve implementation of their child safety and wellbeing policies and procedures.
10. Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people.

The advisory group is seeking input on the following:

• How can you use these Principles to support your organisation/group to be child safe?
• Are there any areas in the Principles that are not relevant or would be difficult to implement?
• What tools and resources are currently available to you to create a child-safe culture in your organisation/group?
• Are there tools or resources missing that could help?
• Other comments

To provide feedback:

Please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. your comments to Philippa Angley, NDS Executive Officer to the Chief Executive, or call 03 8341 4302 by 04 December 2017.