Statement of Commitment to Child Safety

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Southern Grampians Shire Council is committed to the safety and well-being of children and is committed to creating and maintaining a child safe organisation, including places managed or owned by Council. 

All children have the right to feel and be safe, be protected from harm and to be treated with dignity, respect and integrity.

All Council Officers, including employees, contractors, volunteers and Councillors have a legal and moral obligation to keep children safe and promote their best interests.

Southern Grampians Shire Council has a zero tolerance to child abuse.

Council is committed to creating and maintaining a safe and friendly organisation where all children are valued and protected from abuse. All allegations and safety concerns will be treated very seriously and consistently, in line with our robust policies and procedures. We are committed to identifying risks early and removing and reducing these risks. Our commitment to the safety of children is based on our duty of care and responsibilities to children and always acting in the best interests of children.The wellbeing and safety of children and young people in our care will always be our priority and we are committed to providing welcoming, culturally safe and accessible environments where children feel valued, empowered, listened to and considered in decisions that affect their lives.

We value and support diversity, inclusion and equality.

In acknowledgment of the particular vulnerabilities of these groups of children, and in accordance with the Child Safe Standards, we particularly support:

  • the cultural safety of Indigenous Australian children and children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
  • the participation and empowerment of children with a disability, Indigenous Australian children, children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and children who identify with the LGBTIQ community.

We will ensure that child safety and wellbeing and protecting children from abuse is embedded in our organisational culture, reflected in our policies and procedures, and understood and practiced at all levels of our work.

 

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