Statement of Commitment to Child Safety

 

Power Neighbourhood House is committed to providing a Child Safe environment. We understand our responsibilities and statutory duty of care to comply with both the Victorian Child Safe Standards and the Reportable Conduct Scheme to build our capacity as an organisation to prevent and respond to allegations of child abuse.

 

We are committed to implementing and abiding by our Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy based on Child Safe Standards in Victoria (2022), which ensures that a culture of child safety is embedded in our practices and procedures and children feel supported, respected, valued and encouraged to reach their full potential.

 

Every child and young person accessing our facility has the right to feel safe and supported. PNH embraces diversity and inclusion. All children regardless of their gender, gender identity, race, religious beliefs, age, disability, sexual orientation, family or social background, have equal rights to participate in a safe supportive environment and be protected from abuse.

 

We firmly commit to the cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds and to the provision of a safe environment for children and young people with a disability, as well as other vulnerable groups of children and young people.

 

We will ensure that children and young people have access to information, support and complaints processes in ways that are culturally safe, accessible and easy to understand.

 

We adhere to our comprehensive Child Safety Policy and Code of Conduct, standing by our mandatory reporting responsibilities to protect children from physical, sexual, emotional and psychological abuse and neglect.

 

We work to ensure there is clear awareness between appropriate and inappropriate behaviour concerning adults and children. We require clear boundaries between children and employees, volunteers and the community to maintain children’s safety.

 

We are committed to professional development for staff and volunteers to maintain their ability to distinguish and respond to situations of abuse and neglect, ensuring staff and volunteers are responsive to their responsibilities in keeping children safe.