Safety, inclusion and wellbeing
Child Safe Organisation
A child-safe organisation puts the best interests of children and young people first.
National Principles for Child Safe Organisations
The National Principles give effect to the child-safe standards recommended by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. They set out a nationally consistent approach to creating organisational cultures and practices that promote the safety and wellbeing of children in Australia.
The ten National Principles
The National Principles for Child Safe Organisations, presented as published statements.
1. 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 upheld, and diverse needs are 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 child-focused.
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. Implementation of the national child safe principles is regularly reviewed and improved.
10. Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people.
What is a child-safe organisation?
Children can gain great benefits from being involved with organisations of various kinds – such as local sports clubs, pre-schools, schools or youth centres. Organisations can enable children to meet friends, learn new skills and be active participants in their community.
A child-safe organisation consciously and systematically: • creates an environment where children’s safety and wellbeing are at the centre of thought, values and actions; • places emphasis on genuine engagement with and valuing of children and young people; • creates conditions that reduce the likelihood of harm to children and young people; • creates conditions that increase the likelihood of identifying any harm; • responds to any concerns, disclosures, allegations or suspicions of harm.
Child safety and wellbeing links and resources
National Principles
4International
2National
8States and territories
8- ACT Children and Young People Commissioner
- NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian
- Office of the Children’s Commissioner NT
- Queensland Family and Child Commission
- SA Guardian for Children and Young People
- Commissioner for Children and Young People Tasmania
- Victoria Commission for Children and Young People
- Commissioner for Children and Young People WA