Child Safe Standards
We are committed to being a child safe, child friendly and child empowering organisation. In everything we do we seek to protect children. We listen and respond if harm or abuse occurs and remain open, honest and transparent about any failings.
At Berry Street, we comply with the National Child Safe Principles and the Victorian Child Safe Standards. The standards are a minimum set of requirements for organisations providing services to children in Victoria. This ensures that the safety of children is promoted, child abuse is prevented and allegations of child abuse are properly responded to.
There are 11 Child Safe Standards:
- Standard 1: Organisations establish a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children and young people are respected and valued
- Standard 2: Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture
- Standard 3: Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously
- Standard 4: Families and communities are informed, and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing
- Standard 5: Equity is upheld and diverse needs are respected in policy and practice
- Standard 6: People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice
- Standard 7: Processes for complaints and concerns are child focused
- Standard 8: Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training
- Standard 9: Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed
- Standard 10: Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved
- Standard 11: Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people.
Further information on the child safety standards can be found at the Commission of Children and Young People.
We work with groups of children and young people who may be particularly vulnerable to abuse. Accordingly, we pay particular attention to:
- the safety of children in out-of-home care
- the cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
- the cultural safety of children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds
- the safety of children with a disability
- the safety of children who are LGBTIQ+.
There is zero tolerance for any form of child abuse or maltreatment within the organisation. Any suspected abuse or maltreatment must be reported both internally and to external authorities including police and Child Protection.
If you have concerns that a child is at risk of significant harm as a result of abuse or neglect, please contact Child Protection.
