Child Safe Standards

The Child Safe Standards commenced on 1 July 2022, replacing the Child Safe Standards that were established in 2016. There are 11 Child Safe Standards that aim to protect children and young people, by requiring organisations to put policies, procedures and processes in place to prevent and respond to abuse. The aim of these standards is to keep children and young people safe.

CHILD SAFE STANDARD 1: Organisations establish a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children and young people are respected and valued.

In complying with Child Safe Standard 1 an organisation must, at a minimum, ensure:

• A child’s ability to express their culture and enjoy their cultural rights is encouraged and actively supported.
• Strategies are embedded within the organisation which equip all members to acknowledge and appreciate the strengths of Aboriginal culture and understand its importance to the wellbeing and safety of Aboriginal children and young people.
• Measures are adopted by the organisation to ensure racism within the organisation is identified, confronted and not tolerated. Any instances of racism are addressed with appropriate consequences.
• The organisation actively supports and facilitates participation and inclusion within it by Aboriginal children, young people and their families.
•  All of the organisation’s policies, procedures, systems and processes together create a culturally safe and inclusive environment and meet the needs of Aboriginal children, young people and their families