Child Safe Organisation

Details
Penrith City Council (02) 4732 7777 (02) 4732 7958 council@penrithcity.nsw.gov.au 601 High St Penrith NSW 2750 Australia

Penrith City Council is committed to being a child safe organisation by embedding the 10 Child Safe Standards across our organisation's culture and practices.  Our commitment to being a child safe organisation is demonstrated by our policies, procedures, training and overall culture. We strive to create an environment where children and young people feel safe, heard and valued.

Children and young people engage with Council in a variety of ways, whether it be through child-specific programs and services such as childcare or youth programs, by accessing community services such as libraries, leisure and community centres, by participating in community events, or by enjoying our parks and open spaces.

Penrith City Council is committed to implementing the Child Safe Standards. Standard One Child safety is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture. Standard two Children participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously. Standard three Families and communities are informed and involved. Standard four Equity is upheld and diverse needs are taken into account. Standard five People working with children are suitable and supported. Standard six Processes to respond to complaints of child abuse are child focused. Standard seven Staff are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children safe through continual education and training. Standard eight Physical and online environments minimise the opportunity for abuse to occur. Standard nine Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is continuously reviewed and improved. Standard ten Policies and procedures document how the organisation is child safe.

 

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What is a Child Safe Organisation? 

A child safe organisation puts the best interests of children and young people first. 

A child safe organisation: 

  • creates an environment where children’s safety and wellbeing is at the centre of thought, values and actions
  • places emphasis on genuine engagement with and valuing of children and young people
  • creates conditions that reduce the likelihood of harm to children and young people
  • creates conditions that increase the likelihood of identifying any harm
  • responds to any concerns, disclosures, allegations or suspicions of harm. 

 

Our Commitment 

Penrith City Council is proud to lead the way in prioritising child safety for those that live, visit, learn and play in Penrith. Protecting and enhancing the wellbeing of children and young people in our community is of paramount importance to us. We embed child-safe practices into our leadership, governance and organisational culture as part of our unwavering commitment to being a child safe organisation.

Our Child Safe Framework 

Council developed a Child Safe Policy and Procedure which outlines the responsibilities of Council and staff in relation to keeping children safe. It informs our policies, procedures and actions that relate to: 

  • recruitment and selection 
  • working with children and background checks
  • responding and reporting to complaints and feedback
  • allegations and reportable conduct 
  • implementing Child Safe Standards.

 

In addition to the Policy and Procedure, Council: 

  • has created a Child Safe Organisation working group 
  • has developed a public statement of commitment 
  • ensures all employees are educated through Child Safe E-Learning modules
  • is working with our Safety team to begin undertaking safety audits across Council with a Child Safe lens 
  • is working with other departments to ensure children’s voices are heard and reflected in the work they do. 

View Council’s Child Safe Policy via our Polices webpage.

Children’s Voice

It is important that children feel safe, are taken seriously, have their concerns responded to and are involved in decision making.

Council creates environments where children are heard and have input into decisions that affect them. We are developing a culture where children are encouraged to participate in decision making, which will strengthen their confidence and engagement.

Staff are educated in relation to signs of harm and reporting processes relating to this. Our Children’s Services staff facilitate child-friendly ways for children to communicate and raise their concerns.

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How to report child protection concerns 

If a child is in immediate danger, call the police on PH: 000 (triple zero). 

If a child or young person is at risk of significant harm, certain staff are mandated by law to report these concerns to the Child Protection Helpline. A tool called the Mandatory Reporter Guide is used to help determine what information is reported.

If you think a child or young person is at risk of harm from abuse or neglect, contact the Child Protection Helpline on 132 111. 

You can also report child protection concerns involving a Penrith City Council Councillor, employee, contractor or volunteer to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

National Redress Scheme

The National Redress Scheme has been created in response to recommendations by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. The National Redress Scheme provides support to people who experienced institutional child sexual abuse.

The scheme:

  • acknowledges that many children and young people were sexually abused in Australian institutions
  • holds institutions accountable for this abuse
  • helps people who have experienced institutional child sexual abuse gain access to counselling, a direct personal response, and a Redress payment.

Council acknowledges the life-long impact of institutional child sexual abuse on survivors and is a participating organisation in the National Redress Scheme. As a participating organisation, if a survivor of child sexual abuse seeks access to the National Redress Scheme, Council will act with discretion, in good faith and use its best endeavours to assist people applying for redress by providing information.

To learn more about the National Redress Scheme, what it offers, who can apply and things to consider before applying, watch the video.

For more information about the National Redress Scheme, visit the National Redress website.

 

Resources

 

Support Services for Children and Families

The Kids Helpline - kidshelpline.com.au

Support for children and young people aged 5 to 25 years. All issues are confidential and phone counselling is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. PH: 1800 551 800 or WebChat is also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Headspace - headspace.org.au

Headspace is available for 12 to 25 year olds and for all issues. Phone counselling is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. PH: 1800 650 890

Beyond Blue - www.beyondblue.org.au

All ages, all issues. Phone and webchat counselling is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. PH: 1300 224 636 or use Beyond Blue Webchat.

Further Information

For further information regarding Child Safety at Penrith City Council, contact Human Resources Lead, Christine Woodbury, on PH: 4732 7509 or