Statement of Commitment to Child Safety
-
At BWFCC, the safety and wellbeing of children and young people in our care is our paramount consideration and is central to everything we do. We are committed to creating a culturally safe, inclusive and nurturing environment where every child feels valued, respected, connected and empowered to thrive.
Across our service, in our educational programs, planning, decision making, delivery and daily practice, we embed the 11 Victorian Child Safe Standards. We believe that every child has the right to be heard, protected, respected and included in decisions that affect their lives. The Victorian Child Safe Standards require organisations involving children to promote their safety, prevent child abuse, respond effectively to and report allegations of abuse, and ensure children have a voice in matters that affect them.
At BWFCC, the voices of children guide our commitment to child safety.
We want every child to know:
“I am important.”
“I am heard.”
“I am safe.”
“I have people who will help me.”
-
These are not just words. They are the foundation of our ongoing commitment to child safety. It is a commitment to listening. A commitment to empowering. A commitment to protecting. A commitment to ensuring every child feels valued, respected, heard and safe.
We affirm that protecting children and young people from harm and abuse is a shared responsibility and an integral part of our culture, practice and governance, and as an organisation we share a public commitment to:
o Ensuring Aboriginal children and young people are culturally safe, connected to culture, identity and community, and are actively involved in decisions that affect them.
o Maintaining a zero tolerance approach to child abuse, racism, discrimination and exclusion, with child safety remaining our highest priority.
o Creating a culture where children, families, educators and community members feel safe and supported to speak up about child safety concerns, knowing they will be listened to and taken seriously.
o Listening to children’s voices and empowering them to understand their rights, express their views and actively participate in decisions that affect their learning, wellbeing and sense of belonging.
o Providing a welcoming, inclusive and culturally responsive environment where all children feel safe, respected and represented, including Aboriginal children, children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, children with disability, children in out-of-home care, and children who identify as LGBTIQA+.
o Recruiting, screening and retaining suitable and committed staff and volunteers who uphold our child safe values and understand their responsibilities to protect children.
o Supporting all educators, staff and volunteers through ongoing professional learning in child safety, child protection, Mandatory Reporting, Reportable Conduct, cultural safety and their obligations under the Child Safe Standards.
o Responding promptly and effectively to all concerns, allegations, disclosures and incidents involving child safety, while meeting all legislative, regulatory and reporting requirements
o Identifying and managing risks to children's safety and wellbeing across physical, emotional, cultural and online environments, ensuring children can safely participate in learning, play and connection opportunities.
o Working in partnership with families, Elders, Traditional Owners, community organisations and the broader community to strengthen children's safety, wellbeing, identity and sense of belonging. We recognise that strong relationships and shared responsibility are essential to keeping children safe.
o Regularly reviewing and improving our child safe practices, policies and culture, using feedback from children, families, educators and community to ensure continuous reflection, accountability and improvement.
