Partnering with Families
We believe child safety is a shared responsibility. Families are encouraged to speak with NERPSA if they have any concerns. If concerns are not resolved, families can contact the Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority on 1300 307 415 or Child Protection directly.
We also welcome feedback and ideas from families to help us improve and adapt our practices. Your voice is essential in creating safe, inclusive environments for every child.
Together, we can ensure that every child at NERPSA is safe, feels safe, and thrives.
NERPSA Commitment to Child Safe Standards
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Child Safe Standard 1 – Organisations establish a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identifies and experiences of Aboriginal children and young people are respected and valued
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We are committed to ensuring our service is a place where Aboriginal children feel safe, respected and valued.
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Child Safe Standard 2 – Child Safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture
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We commit to consider the safety and wellbeing of children in everything we do.
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Child Safe Standard 3 – Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously
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We commit to engaging with children in the design of key policies and directions and co-developing an ongoing engagement framework to inform and enrich our work.
We commit to developing and sharing child friendly information and pathways for children to contact and engage with the service.
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Child Safe Standard 4 – Families and communities are informed, and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing – Families and communities are informed, and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing
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We commit to communicating with communities about our child safety and wellbeing operations
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Child Safe Standard 5 – Equity is upheld, and diverse needs respected in policy and practice
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We are committed to understanding the diverse circumstances of children and working to ensure this knowledge informs everything we do.
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Child Safe Standard 6 – People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice
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We commit to reviewing and continuously improving our practices in line with best practice, to:
- deter and prevent unsuitable people from working or volunteering at our service.
- ensure that all staff, contractors, volunteers and authorised persons understand and enact their responsibilities to support the safety of children.
- identify and take action to address behaviours and practices that place children at risk of abuse.
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Child Safe Standard 7 – Processes for complaints and concerns are child focused
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We commit to having clear procedures to inform staff, volunteers, contractors and authorised persons of their obligation to report child safety concerns and processes to do so.
We respond to disclosures and allegations of abuse in a trauma informed way that removes the barriers to disclosure and manages the risks of further harm to children.
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Child Safe Standard 8 – Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ingoing education and training
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We commit to ensuring our staff have the skills to keep the safety of children at the centre of everything they do.
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Child Safe Standard 9 – Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed
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We commit to ensuring our online environment is used in accordance with our Code of Conduct, eSafety and Child Safe Environment and Wellbeing policy and practices.
We commit to identifying and mitigating risks to the safety of children in all our operations.
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Child Safe Standard 10 – Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved
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We are committed to ensuring Child Safe Standards reflect latest research about harm prevention strategies for children and young people
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Child Safe Standard 11 – Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people.
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We are committed to ensuring our policies and procedures are clearly documented and accessible.
