Statement of Commitment to Child Safety
BWFCC is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all the children and young people
- Every person involved in BWFCC has a responsibility to understand the important and specific role they play individually and collectively to ensure that the wellbeing and safety of all children and young people is at the forefront of all they do and every decision they make. BWFCC will provide a child safe environment where children and young people are safe and feel safe, and their voices are heard about decisions that affect their lives
BWFCC has zero tolerance for child abuse
- All allegations and safety concerns will be treated very seriously and consistently. We have legal and moral obligations to contact authorities when we are worried about a child’s safety, which we follow rigorously. BWFCC is committed to regularly training and educating our staff and volunteers on child abuse risks and all staff undertake Mandatory Reporting training
BWFCC upholds the cultural safety of all children
- We carefully consider the increased vulnerability of Aboriginal children, children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds as well as children with a disability and additional developmental needs.
In our service planning, decision-making and operations, BWFCC will:
- Take a preventative, proactive and participatory approach to child safety;
- Value and empower children to participate in decisions which affect their lives;
- Foster a culture of openness that supports all persons to safely disclose risks of harm to children;
- Respect diversity in cultures and child rearing practices while keeping child safety paramount;
- Provide written guidance on appropriate conduct and behaviour towards children;
- Engage only the most suitable people to work with children and have high quality staff and volunteer supervision and professional development
- Ensure children know who to talk with if they are worried or are feeling unsafe, and that they are comfortable and encouraged to raise such issues
- Report suspected abuse, neglect, or mistreatment promptly to the appropriate authorities;
- Share information appropriately and lawfully with other organisations where the safety and wellbeing of children is at risk
