Leaders in child safe organisations

What leaders must do under the Child Safe Scheme

Under the Child Safe Scheme, leaders must take steps to keep children safe.  

Leaders of child safe organisations are required to implement and monitor the Child Safe Standards.  

The Child Safe Standards provide a framework to help organisations meet the requirements of the Child Safe Scheme so that all staff understand that keeping children safe is everyone’s responsibility. They help prevent, detect and respond effectively to child abuse. through systems, policies and processes that are continuously reviewed and updated.   

Key responsibilities for leaders under the scheme include:  

• Championing a child safe culture - leading by example and encouraging everyone in your organisation to take responsibility for child safety 

• Developing and implementing child safe policies and procedures 

• Ensuring comprehensive Child Safe training and support is available for staff  

• Engaging with children and families  

• Embedding a child safe risk management approach  

• Creating and maintaining safe physical and online environments  

• Embedding child safe recruitment and reporting processes and practices  

• Regularly reviewing systems, policies and processes to drive continuous improvement in child safe culture and practice  

Further information and guidance is available to support you implement and monitor the Child Safe Standards in your organisation.  

Heads of Child Safe Organisations 

In NSW, the head of a child safe organisation is defined in the Children’s Guardian Act 2019. It is typically the Chief Executive Officer or equivalent senior leader of the organisation. The head of a child safe organisation is required to hold a cleared Working with Children Check.  

The head of a child safe organisation must ensure their organisation implements the Child Safe Standards through systems, policies and processes that are continuously reviewed and updated.  

The Office of the Children’s Guardian is responsible for regulating organisations that must comply with the Child Safe Scheme to keep children safe. We can take a range of actions to monitor or investigate compliance with the Child Safe Scheme. Further information on our Child Safe Standards monitoring and enforcement approach is available. 

Board and Committee Members 

Board and committee members must embed child-safe practices across the organisation and put clear policies, systems, and processes in place. Failure to meet these responsibilities can result in serious consequences, including fines, reputational damage, and insurance risks. 

Leading by example, board and committee members must make child-safe practices an everyday priority and be visibly committed to creating a child-safe environment.  

This short guide (PDF, 1.17MB) provides board and committee members with practical steps to embed child safe practice in their organisations.  

Key areas covered include: 

• establishing a child safe governance framework 

• addressing conflicts of interest to promote accountability and trust  

• developing and embedding child safe policies and procedures 

• embedding a risk management approach, and

• fostering a culture of child safety.