Council is committed to creating a child safe organisation where protecting children and preventing and responding to child abuse is embedded in everyday thinking and practice.
Child Safe Organisation Policy Council Statement
Our commitment:
This is a commitment to work proactively and intentionally to align Bundaberg Regional Council operations with the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations.
Bundaberg Regional Council is committed to providing and actively promoting a safe environment for children. Council has zero tolerance towards child abuse, neglect and harm.
Councillors, employees, volunteers, and service providers within Bundaberg Regional Council have a responsibility to respect and promote the rights of children and young people and is committed to protecting the physical, emotional, cultural, and social wellbeing of all children.
Council provides a safe working environment that values child safety, diversity and inclusion for all children aged 0 – 18 years.
Council acknowledges the cultural safety, participation and empowerment of older children; especially children from aboriginal or culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds and those with a disability.
Bundaberg Regional Council acknowledges that children’s safety is a whole of community responsibility and is everyone’s business.
What it means to be a Child Safe Organisation
The Australian Human Rights Commission defines a child safe organisation as one that consciously and systematically:
- creates an environment where children and young people’s safety and wellbeing is at the centre of thought, values, and actions
- places emphasis on genuine engagement with and valuing of children and young people
- creates conditions that reduce the likelihood of harm to children and young people
- creates conditions that increase the likelihood of identifying and harm, and
- responds to any concerns, disclosures, allegations, or suspicions of harm.
Every member of an organisation has a role to play in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. Bundaberg Regional Council has an obligation to proactively create and maintain an organisational culture where the safety of children and young people is a priority. This includes business/ activity that primarily provides adult-focused services, recognising that incidental contact with children may occur (for example, where children accompany adults).
Council has policies and practices to protect children, and all allegations and safety concerns will be treated seriously.
All allegations of abuse and safety concerns received by Council will be acted upon in accordance with relevant policies and procedures.
Concerns for a child or family – referrals are made to Family and Child Connect, or concerns reported to Child Safety, depending on the seriousness of the concerns.
Further information:
For further information, visit the Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services website.