Commitment to Child Safety

• Every child is welcome, respected and included, whatever their disability, background, culture, language, gender or sexuality.
• Children are listened to. We ask them what they think, we take their views seriously, and we involve them in decisions about their own experiences.
• Children can communicate in whatever way works for them, and we will adapt so they are understood.
• Children know who they can talk to if they feel unsafe or unhappy, and know they will be believed and taken seriously.
• We uphold the cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and children with disability.
• No child in our care will be exposed to violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation or discrimination.

• We screen everyone who works with children. All staff and volunteers in child-related roles hold a valid Working with Children Check and NDIS Worker Screening Check before they start.
• We train our team to recognise the signs of harm, and to know exactly what to do and who to tell.
• We supervise our team, and never place a worker alone with a child in a situation that hasn't been risk assessed.
• We plan for risk. Every experience, venue, transport arrangement and overnight stay is assessed with child safety in mind.
• We report concerns promptly to the relevant authority, as required under NSW child protection law and the NDIS Code of Conduct.
• We keep clear records, and we review our practices whenever something goes wrong or nearly does.
• We make sure families and the community know that child safety is everyone's responsibility, and how to raise a concern with us.

You do not need to be certain, and you do not need proof. If something doesn't feel right, tell us. It is always better to raise a concern that turns out to be nothing than to say nothing about something that mattered.

You can speak to any member of our team, or contact us directly.

You can also go straight to an external body at any time. You do not have to come to us first.

This statement follows the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations, the NSW Child Safe Standards and the NDIS Code of Conduct. It applies to everyone who works with us, in every setting where we work.