Child Safety is everyone’s business

The National Principles for Child Safe Organisations (PDF, 1.9MB) provide a nationally consistent approach to embedding child safe cultures and practices at all levels in organisations of various sizes and across sectors that engage with children and young people.

The National Principles incorporate lessons from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse on what needs to be in place to prevent all types of abuse and neglect of children and young people engaged in small local clubs, private business, non-government services through to large state government agencies.

The 10 National Principles are:

1. Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture.
2. Children and young people are informed about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.
3. Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.
4. Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice.
5. People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice.
6. Processes to respond to complaints and concerns are child focused.
7. Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training.
8. Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed.
9. Implementation of the national child safe principles is regularly reviewed and improved.
10. Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people.

Watch this short video by the Australian Human Rights Commission for an overview of the National Principles.

The short answer is yes! The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse recommended the Child Safe Standards to guide what institutions need to do to be child safe by setting best practice and drive organisational change. Since this time, the Standards have been enacted by the Council of Australian Governments as the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations.

The 10 Principles operationalise the Child Safe Standards. They aim to increase safety for children and young people when participating within organisations. They create cultural change to ensure children are valued, their rights are respected and their best interests are paramount. This involves creating an environment where all abuse can be better prevented, identified, reported and responded to.

The current 10 National Principles are not yet embedded into legislation for Western Australia.

The WA Government has committed to introducing a Child Safe Standards Scheme, with Ombudsman WA leading its design. The Scheme aims to strengthen child safety across Western Australia by helping organisations create environments where children are safe, respected and protected from harm.

The Scheme will build on the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations and support organisations to strengthen child-safe cultures, leadership and everyday practices. Ombudsman WA is designing a practical Scheme that reflects Western Australia’s diverse communities, and the different stages organisations are at in their child safety journey.

This new Scheme builds upon the Ombudsman WA’s existing work to protect children. You can keep up to date with announcements from the Ombudsman via the Ombudsman Western Australia website or email independentoversight@ombudsman.wa.gov.au.