New tools will help you Get Started on your Child Safe Journey
Acting Children’s Guardian Rachael Ward has a message for child-related organisations in NSW that have not yet implemented the Child Safe Scheme – it’s time to ‘get started’ now.
‘Most organisations that provide a service for children and young people in NSW have legal obligations under the Child Safe Scheme,’ Ms Ward said.
‘These organisations must implement the 10 Child Safe Standards.’
The Child Safe Scheme has been operating in NSW for 4 years and covers more than 30,000 organisations ranging from childcare centres, schools and sports clubs, Sunday schools and art classes for kids through to schools and hospitals, for example.
Ms Ward reminded all organisations under the scheme that they should be embedding child safety into every day thinking and practice.
In February 2022, NSW Government gave the Office of the Children’s Guardian new enforcement powers, including issuing penalties for those who don’t meet their obligations under the Child Safe Scheme.
‘For small organisations, and those with lots of volunteers, implementing the Standards can seem daunting. But you probably already have some things in place that you can build on to meet your obligations.’ Ms Ward said.
To get started, there are six practical steps to take.
- Understand the Child Safe Standards
- Make sure staff and volunteers have the necessary checks
- Develop or review your key child safe documents.
- Reduce risks to children in your organisation
- Show your commitment to being a child safe organisation
- Track and review your progress
To help those who are responsible for implementing the Child Safe Scheme, new Getting Started resources and practical guidance on our webpage are now available. This includes free webinar sessions to be held in April.
‘Keeping children safe is a shared responsibility,’ Ms Ward said. ‘Everyone has a role in creating safe places for children.’
