Creating a Safe and Inclusive Environment: Our Child Safe Policies and Procedures
At Augmenting Workplaces, we are fully committed to fostering a safe and inclusive environment where the wellbeing and safety of children and young people are at the heart of everything we do. Our Child Safe Policies and Procedures are carefully designed to adhere to the highest standards of child safety and ensure that every child and young person associated with our organization feels valued, respected, and protected. We believe that documenting these policies sends a strong message to all our stakeholders about the importance we place on child safety.
A Comprehensive Approach to Child Safety: Our Child Safe Policies and Procedures address all aspects of child safety, covering areas such as cultural inclusivity, empowerment of children and young people, staff training and support, risk management, and complaint handling. We are constantly reviewing and improving our practices, analyzing concerns and incidents to identify areas for enhancement. By collaborating with stakeholders, including children, young people, families, staff, and experts, we incorporate best practice models and ensure our policies remain relevant and effective. Our leadership team champions compliance, leading by example and fostering a child-safe culture throughout our organization. We strive to equip our staff and volunteers with the necessary knowledge, skills, and awareness to create a nurturing environment for every child and young person in our care. At Augmenting Workplaces, child safety is not just a priority; it is a shared responsibility that we all embrace to create a better future for our young generations.
| Milestone | Date Developed | Date Achieved |
| Ensure that online environments are used in accordance with the organization’s Code of Conduct and Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy and practices (Standard 9.2). | 27/7/23 | |
| Implement procurement policies that prioritize the safety of children and young people when contracting facilities and services from third parties (Standard 9.4). | 27/7/23 | |
| Conduct regular training and professional development programs for staff and volunteers to enhance their understanding of children and young people’s diverse circumstances and vulnerabilities (Standard 8). | 27/7/23 | |
| Provide training on recognizing indicators of child harm and responding effectively to child safety issues, including supporting colleagues who disclose harm (Standard 8.2 and 8.3). | 27/7/23 | |
| Collaborate with local Aboriginal communities and organizations to develop culturally safe practices and promote cultural understanding (Standard 5.4). | 27/7/23 | |
| Foster an understanding within Augmenting Workplaces of the diverse circumstances of children and young people, including vulnerabilities they may face (Standard 3.1). | 27/7/23 | |
| Conduct referee checks and pre-employment screening processes to assess the suitability of applicants to work with children and young people (Standard 6.1). | 27/7/23 | 27/7/23 |
| Regularly monitor working with children checks or equivalent background checks to ensure compliance (Standard 6.2). | 27/7/23 | 27/7/23 |
| Provide comprehensive induction programs for new staff and volunteers to ensure their understanding of their responsibilities to children and young people (Standard 6.3). | 27/7/23 | |
| Establish support mechanisms to assist personnel in dealing with sensitive issues and providing guidance on supporting colleagues who disclose harm (Standard 6.3). | 27/7/23 | |
| Develop child-focused complaint handling policies that outline clear procedures for lodging and addressing complaints (Standard 7.1). | 27/7/23 | |
| Provide opportunities for children and young people to participate and be responsive to their contributions, thereby strengthening confidence and engagement (Standard 7.6). | 27/7/23 | |
| Collaborate with cultural experts and communities to ensure culturally appropriate practices are integrated into our services (Standard 7.5). | 27/7/23 | |
| Prioritize the needs of children and young people with disabilities, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those unable to live at home, and LGBTQ+ children and young people (Standard 5.3). | 27/7/23 | 27/7/23 |
| Conduct regular risk assessments of physical and online environments to identify potential hazards and vulnerabilities (Standard 9.1). | 27/7/23 | 27/7/23 |
| Develop risk mitigation strategies to address identified risks while ensuring the rights of children and young people are protected (Standard 9.1). | 27/7/23 | |
| Regularly review and update our policies and procedures related to child safety to ensure they remain relevant and effective (Standard 11.1). | 27/7/23 | 27/7/23 |
| Implement reporting mechanisms for child safety incidents and concerns, ensuring compliance with relevant legal obligations (Standard 7.5). | 27/7/23 | |
| Facilitate open communication and consultation with families and communities about our child safe approach and relevant information (Standard 4.2). | 27/7/23 | |
| Engage with relevant community groups and experts to ensure our services are tailored to meet the unique needs of vulnerable individuals (Standard 3.3). | 27/7/23 | |
| Conduct ongoing supervision and performance management that prioritizes child safety, providing regular feedback and guidance to personnel Standard 6.4). | 27/7/23 | |
| Foster an inclusive and supportive environment that fosters empathy and responsiveness to the needs of all children and young people (Standard 8). | 27/7/23 | |
| Prioritize the needs of Aboriginal children and young people, promoting a culturally safe environment that respects and values their cultural heritage and identity (Standard 5.4). | 27/7/23 | |
| Conduct a comprehensive review of existing policies and procedures to ensure they address all Child Safe Standards (Standard 11.1). | 27/7/23 | |
| Revise and update policies and procedures as necessary to ensure alignment with the Child Safe Standards and evolving best practices (Standard 11.1). | 27/7/23 | |
| Document all policies and procedures related to child safety in a clear and easily understandable format (Standard 11.2). | 27/7/23 | |
| Make the documented policies and procedures easily accessible to all staff, volunteers, and relevant stakeholders through our internal communication channels (Standard 11.2). | 27/7/23 | |
| Utilize simple language and visual aids when appropriate to enhance the understandability of the policies and procedures (Standard 11.2). | 27/7/23 | |
| Adopt best practice models and benchmarks when developing and revising policies and procedures (Standard 11.3). | 27/7/23 | |
| Conduct consultations with relevant stakeholders, including children, young people, families, staff, and experts, to inform the development and improvement of child-safe practices (Standard 11.3). | 27/7/23 | |
| Regularly review and evaluate our child safe practices to identify areas for improvement (Standard 10.1). | 27/7/23 | |
| Analyze complaints, concerns, and safety incidents to identify potential causes and systemic failures, informing continuous improvement efforts (Standard 10.2). | 27/7/23 | |
| Develop action plans for continuous improvement based on the findings of reviews and analyses (Standard 10.3). | 27/7/23 | |
| Provide regular reports on the findings of relevant reviews to staff, volunteers, community members, families, children, and young people to foster transparency and promote a collaborative approach to child safety (Standard 10.3). | 27/7/23 | |
| Ensure that all staff and volunteers receive training on the documented policies and procedures related to child safety (Standard 11.5). | 27/7/23 | |
| Provide support and resources to staff and volunteers to facilitate the effective implementation of the policies and procedures in their daily activities (Standard 11.5). | 27/7/23 | |
| Encourage leaders within the organization to actively champion the importance of child safety and model compliance with the established policies and procedures (Standard 11.4). | 27/7/23 | |
| Involve leaders in providing support and guidance to staff and volunteers, emphasizing their roles in upholding the child-safe culture (Standard 11.4). | 27/7/23 | |
| Develop risk management plans that address risks associated with organizational settings, activities, and the physical environment (Standard 9.3). | 27/7/23 | |