1./ Purpose
At State of Mind Counselling, nothing is more important than the safety and well-being of children and young people. Since our core focus is on supporting young people, children, and adolescents, we are dedicated to doing everything possible to ensure their safety and protection.
This policy outlines our commitment to creating a child-safe environment and complying with relevant Victorian and Australian legislation, as well as the professional standards set by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), the Australian Counselling Association (ACA), and the Australian Psychological Society (APA).
2./ Scope
This policy applies to all staff, volunteers, contractors, and students involved with State of Mind Counselling.
3./ Legislative Framework
Victorian Legislation:
- Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005
- Children, Youth and Families Act 2005
- Child Safe Standards
Australian Legislation:
- National Principles for Child Safe Organisations
- Family Law Act 1975
- Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986
4./ Commitment to Child Safety
State of Mind Counselling is committed to:
- Promoting the safety and well-being of children and young people.
- Preventing harm and identifying risks early.
- Ensuring that all staff and volunteers understand their responsibilities in relation to child safety.
- Providing a safe and supportive environment for children and young people.
5./ Code of Conduct
All staff, volunteers, contractors, and students must adhere to the following code of conduct:
- Act in the best interests of children and young people.
- Treat all children and young people with respect and dignity.
- Listen to and value the views and concerns of children and young people.
- Report any concerns or suspicions about child safety to the appropriate authorities.
- Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with children and young people.
6./ Recruitment and Training
- All staff, volunteers, contractors, and students must undergo a thorough recruitment process, including reference checks and Working with Children Checks.
- Regular training on child safety will be provided to all staff and volunteers.
7./ Reporting and Responding to Concerns
- Any concerns or suspicions about child safety must be reported immediately to the designated Child Safety Officer.
- The Child Safety Officer will ensure that all reports are handled promptly and in accordance with legal requirements.
- Support will be provided to children and young people who disclose concerns.
8./ Risk Management
- Regular risk assessments will be conducted to identify and mitigate potential risks to child safety.
- Policies and procedures will be reviewed and updated as needed to ensure they remain effective.
9./ Confidentiality and Privacy
- All information related to child safety concerns will be handled confidentially and in accordance with privacy laws.
- Information will only be shared with relevant authorities as required by law.
10./ Continuous Improvement
- State of Mind Counselling is committed to continuous improvement in child safety practices.
- Feedback from children, young people, families, and staff will be sought and used to improve policies and procedures.
11./ Review of Policy
This policy will be reviewed as needed to ensure it remains current and effective.