Child safe principles

 

The principles

The Child Safe Standards are underpinned by the understanding that all children are vulnerable.

However, three overarching principles require organisations to consider the increased vulnerability of:

• Aboriginal children
• those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
• children with disabilities.

These groups of children and young people may be particularly vulnerable to being victimised and may face challenges in reporting an incident of abuse.

We also encourage you to consider the needs of same sex attracted and intersex children and young people, and recognise gender diversity in providing a safe environment.

Research shows that providing safe environments for vulnerable children has positive, lifelong impacts that cannot be underestimated.

 

Cultural safety of Aboriginal children

Aboriginal children and their families need their culture and identity acknowledged and valued.

As organisations work to meet the standards, they must consider if they are promoting the cultural safety of Aboriginal children and young people and what they can do to better make their organisation a safe place for Aboriginal families.

Cultural safety of children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds

Children accessing organisations come from a range of backgrounds, cultures and languages.

Organisations can demonstrate they value diversity by taking steps to prevent discrimination. Organisations need to consider how welcoming they are to children and families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and what the organisation can do to make it more inclusive and culturally responsive.

Safety of children with a disability

Children with a disability are particularly vulnerable to abuse and organisations may need to take specific steps to meet their safety and participation needs.

This includes issues relating to:

• communication needs
• their reliance on a caregiver for personal care requirements
• potential social isolation
• potential limited access to developmentally appropriate sexual and relationship information.