- Our Place abides by two key Victorian Government Legislations in relation to Child Safety:
- Child Safe Standards
- Reportable Conduct Scheme
The Reportable Conduct Scheme began on 1 July 2017, with Our Place coming into scope of the scheme on 1 January 2018. The Scheme requires organisations to respond to allegations of child abuse made against their workers and volunteers, either within work or outside of work, and to notify the Commission for Children and Young People (CYPP) of any allegations.
- Our Place is committed to providing a child safe environment where children and young people are safe and feel safe, and their voices are heard about decisions that affect their lives.
We condemn all forms of child abuse, exploitation of children and discrimination against children. Our Place staff and volunteers are responsible for promoting the safety, wellbeing and empowerment of children and young people.
- Our Place understands that child abuse can take on many forms such as physical, sexual, emotional and overall neglect.
- Because of the nature of our work, we work closely and collaboratively with our site partners to ensure we support and promote a child safe culture.
- We have effective processes in place to respond to and report allegations of child abuse, balancing the need to respect our site partners and fulfilling our legal and moral obligations
- Our Place has invested in a Child Safety Officer; a critical resource that supports our staff to understand responsibilities and how to take action with both a proactive and reactive lens.
- As part of our commitment to a child safe culture, Our Place requires all staff and volunteers to have a WWCC and Police Check as a condition of employment.
- While all children are vulnerable, particular attention will be paid to the cultural safety of Aboriginal children and children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, the safety of children with a disability, as well as recognising gender diversity.