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Child Safe Organisation
Bayside Council is committed to being a child safe organisation, by embedding the NSW Child Safe Standards into our leadership, governance and organisational culture.
We believe all children have the right to feel safe and be safe.
We acknowledge the significant lifelong impact any form of abuse can have on children and young people, and we strive to ensure they are kept free from harm whilst engaging with our services.
We will engage with our workforce, children, families and specialist agencies to ensure our community is a place where all children and young people feel included, have a voice, are valued, respected and, above all, safe. We are committed to continuously upskilling our workforce to strengthen awareness and accountability in embedding the standards and identifying and mitigating risks to child safety.
We have zero tolerance of child abuse, and all allegations and safety concerns will be treated very seriously and consistently with our robust policies and procedures.
Bayside Council is a registered agency under the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act and remains committed to fulfilling its legislative and regulatory obligations regarding child protection.
The Child Safe Policy informs our policies, procedures and actions that relate to:
- Recruitment and Selection
- Induction and Training
- Supervision of staff and volunteers
- Involving children and young people in decision making
- Responding and Reporting
- Implementing Child Safe Standards.
The Child Safe Action Plan outlines actions Council will take to ensure it meets the 10 standards as part of the NSW Child-Safe Scheme.
External resources
- NSW Child Safe Standards recommended by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse provide a framework for making organisations safer for children.
- Office of Children’s Guardian
Child Protection
- Child Protection Helpline: If you suspect that a child or young person is at risk of harm from abuse or neglect, the helpline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Phone 132 111.
- NSW Communities and Justice provides safety and welfare to vulnerable children and young people.
- The Office of the Children’s Guardian regulates and oversees organisations in NSW to uphold children and young people’s right to be safe.
Online safety
- Australian Government eSafety Commissioner: Resources to support educators, parents, children and young people have safer, more positive experiences online.
- Playing IT Safe: Helping parents, carers and educators teach young children how to stay safe online.
- NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian – online safety for children: Tips on how to keep children and young people safe online.
- ThinkUKnow: National program providing online child safety information to equip children and young people with the knowledge and skills to take actionable steps to maintain their safety at all times.
- Bravehearts – Keeping Kids Safe Online: Quick tips for parents
- eSafety Commissioner – cyberbullying complaint: for cyberbullying targeted at a child under the age of 18
- Raising Children Network: Articles on entertainment and technology for pre-teens / for teenagers
- Technology and teenagers – ReachOu: Practical tips for parents to help young people manage technology use in a safe and balanced way.
Counselling and support services
Children or young people services
Kids Helpline
The Kids Helpline is for children and young people aged 5 to 25 year. All issues are confidential, and phone counselling is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Phone 1800 55 1800
- Webchat Counselling is also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Headspace
Headspace is for 12 to 25 year olds for all issues. Phone counselling is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Phone 1800 650 890.
All ages services
Lifeline
All ages, all issues. Phone counselling is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Phone 13 11 14
- Online chat service is available 7pm to midnight.
- Lifeline text service is available 12pm to midnight, SMS 0477 131 114.
Beyond Blue
All ages, all issues. Phone counselling is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Phone 1300 22 4636
- Online chat service is available 1pm – midnight, 7 days a week.