All early childhood services are required to comply with the Child Safe Standards. These are designed to ensure that organisations that work with children take steps to create a culture of child safety and protect children from all forms of abuse.
Town & Country Children’s Centre | Public Commitment to the Child Safe Standards:
We make a commitment to provide the cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children within our service, as well as all children, by embedding meaningful engagement of Aboriginal Culture into daily routines and educational programs.
Our organisation prioritises the safety of children and will not tolerate abuse or harm. Our organisation takes steps to empower children and provide them with shared respect, shared meaning and shared knowledge.
Educators are committed to continuous learning to ensure their teaching is in line with cultural expectations.
What are the Child Safe Standards?
1.Culturally Safe Environments
Establish a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal Children are respected and valued.
2.Child Safety & Wellbeing
Ensure that child safety and wellbeing are embedded in service leadership, governance and culture.
3.Child & Student Empowerment
Children are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.
4.Family Engagement
Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing
5.Diversity & Equity
Equity is upheld and diverse needs are respected in policy and practice.
6.Suitable Staff & Volunteers
People working with children are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice.
7.Complaints Processes
Ensure that processes for complaints and concerns are child focused.
8.Child Safety Knowledge, Skills & Awareness
Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children safe through ongoing education and training.
9.Child Safety in Physical & Online Environments
Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children to be harmed.
10.Review of Child Safety Practices
Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved.
11.Implementation of Child Safety Practices
Policies and procedures that document how services are safe for children.
Useful Links
Commission for Children and Young People
Department of Education & Training Victoria | Regulation of Early Childhood Services
National Quality Framework that regulates Early Childhood Education and Care Services
National Quality Standards that make up the National Quality Framework
