Child Safe Organisations WA

Ensuring children and young people are safe from harm is everyone’s responsibility.

Western Australian children and young people are regularly involved in activities and organisations outside of the home – including school, sport, recreation and health care – that are provided by government, non-government and community-based organisations.

Children and young people rely on the adults entrusted with their care to both protect and empower them to be safe from any form of abuse or harm.

To achieve this, every organisation must embed a child safe culture across all activities and services, with leaders, staff and volunteers being vigilant in providing child safe and friendly environments and interactions.

Child Safe Organisations WA

The Commissioner’s Child Safe Organisations WA promotes the need for child safe practices across all types of organisations. It helps leaders, staff and volunteers within organisations to place the safety of children and young people at the forefront of their activities. It also encourages parents and carers to seek information and ask questions about the child safe strategies used in places their children are attending.

The Commissioner has developed a range of resources which reflect the ten National Principles for Child Safe Organisations endorsed by the Council of Australian Governments.

The following links provide information, resources and practical examples on each of the ten principles.

National Principle 1: Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture

National Principle 2: Children and young people are informed about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously

National Principle 3: Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing

National Principle 4: Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice

National Principle 5: People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice

National Principle 6: Processes to respond to complaints and concerns are child focused

National Principle 7: Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training

National Principle 8: Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed

National Principle 9: Implementation of the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations WA is regularly reviewed and improved

National Principle 10: Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people

Summary of the National Principles e-learning modules