Child Safe Organisation

On 1 July 2022, new Victorian Child Safe Standards come into effect. These changes support a nationally consistent approach, aligning to the National Principles for a Child Safe Organisation. Standards set out minimum requirements and outline the actions organisations must take to keep children and young people safe.

The Standards are: 

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

Wyndham's Child Safety, Wellbeing and Reportable Conduct Policy provides a clear framework for safeguarding children and young people across the organisation.  The policy reflects our commitment with upholding compliance with the Victorian Child Safe Standards and the Reportable Conduct Scheme. All allegations and safety concerns will be treated seriously in line with our policies and procedures to uphold our commitment.

Visit the Commission for Children and Young People for further information.

We are committed to ensuring our staff, contractors and volunteers understand that child safety is everyone’s responsibility.  

Therefore, we are dedicated to continuous improvement activities that provide training and support to enable the implementation of the eleven Child Safe Standards. 

Recruitment
Wyndham City Council ensures that all staff and volunteers who work with children have a current working with children’s check (WWCC), complete mandatory Child Safe training and that there is a tailored screening process, including advertisements and selection criteria which demonstrate our commitment to child safety through onboarding processes. 

Child Safety Management Team 
Wyndham City council has a dedicated Child Safety Management team who have a responsibility to review and enforce Child Safety policies within council. 

This team comprises of: 

A Senior Child Safe Advisor - Monitor, manage and continually improve the organisation’s child safe strategies, as well as providing communication, information, advice and support in relation to the management of allegations, internally and externally in line with legal requirements. 

Two Child Safe Advisors - Holders of this role are named within the CEO-to-staff Instrument of Delegation. They offer consultancy advice into Child Safety matters in collaboration with the Senior Child Safe Advisor and the Executive Leadership Team a where required.

Child Safe Administration Officer - Champion Child Safe practices whilst building the capability of staff to manage and meet their responsibilities through well defined processes and systems. 

The Reportable Conduct Scheme was established by a 2017 amendment to the Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005. The scheme compliments the Child Safe Standards and other existing child safety measures, including but not limited to mandatory reporting, by requiring improvements and timeframes to Council’s response to allegations of child abuse and neglect by their employees, volunteers, and contractors. The amendment also made the Commission for Children and Young People (the Commission) the power to oversee the Scheme.

The scheme requires Councils to:

• Maintain systems which prevent child abuse and, if child abuse is alleged, to ensure allegations can be brought to the attention of appropriate persons for investigation and response.
• Ensure that the Commission is notified and given updates on Council’s response to an allegation.

The Scheme does not replace the need to report allegations of child abuse, including criminal conduct and family violence to Victoria Police, or any other mandatory reporting requirements for professions such as kindergarten teachers and earl years educators, maternal child health nurses, and youth counsellors.                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Wyndham takes all reportable Conduct allegations seriously. Anyone can report about an alleged abuse, harm or neglect of a child under 18 years that may have occurred within Wyndham, including complaints that pose a rusk to a children’s health and wellbeing. 

There are three (3) channels where complaints, concerns or suspicions of abuse can be reported by children, young people or adult members of the public:

• By requesting a discussion with the Senior Child Safe Advisor. You can ask to be put through to this staff member by contacting customer service on 1300 023 411  (Monday to Friday 8am-5pm- excluding public holidays) for a  confidential discussion. Please note: if the discussion relates to child sexual abuse or where it is perceived that a child may be in immediate physical danger from abuse, then please call 000 and report directly to Victoria police.
• By completing the Child Safe Incident Report form with a detailed description of the abuse allegation, including the parent/child’s name (if available), the allege offender and your contact information.

Visit the Commission for Children and Young People for further information.

Victoria Police  ​If a child is in immediate danger phone: 000.

Department of Families, Fairness and Housing Victoria (DFFH)  
If a child is at risk of harm and abuse contact 
DFFH Child Protection (North Division): 1300 664 977.

After hours DFFH Child Protection Crisis Line: 13 12 78.

Orange Door 
Help for people who are experiencing family violence or who need support with the care and wellbeing of children and young people (Werribee/Wyndham Offices): 1800 271 045.

Women's Health West  
Delivers a range of services and programs for women and children who have experienced or are experiencing domestic violence: 9689 9588.

Commission for Children and Young People (Vic) 
The Commiss​ion is the legislated authority in relation to auditing the implementation of the child safe standards for mandated organisations. ​ The commission are empowered to manage the reportable conduct scheme and receive and investigate allegations of reportable conduct from mandated organisations. 

Australian Human Rights Commission  
​The Commission have developed the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations​ which all state regulators are working to align with​​.

National Office for Child Safety - ​​This office of the DPC is leading national coordination and implementation of the National Principles.

Department of Families, Fairness and Housing Victoria (DFFH) This department has obligations for the protection of children and publishes a range of information and tools for funded agencies.

Municipal Association of Victoria 
To assist councils with their obligations under the new Standards, the MAV has developed the Child Safe Standards Practice Guide. 

Child Safety is everyone’s responsibility 

 Identify and manage Child Safety Risks 

Report a Child Safety Concern 

CCYP Plain English, Child Safe Standards information

 CCYP – Translated resources about the Child Safe Standards 

CCYP – Translated resources about the Reportable Conduct Scheme