Child Safety & Wellbeing
Child Safe Standards
The Child Safe Standards are one of several recommendations made by the Royal Commission into Institutional Child Sexual Abuse. They provide a benchmark by which organisations can assess their child safe capability. The standards provide guidance for organisations to create cultures, adopt strategies and act to put the interests of children first whilst keeping them safe from harm.
Goulburn Mulwaree Council believes all children and young people have a right to be heard, and as an organisation we are committed to the journey of becoming child safe through the 10 Child Safe Principles.
- Leadership, governance, and culture.
- Children are safe, informed and actively participate.
- Families and community involvement.
- Equity and diverse needs.
- Human resource management.
- Child focused complaints.
- Staff education and training.
- Physical and online environments.
- Review and continuous improvement.
- Child safe policies and procedures.
Child Safe Policy & Procedures
Goulburn Mulwaree Council staff are currently developing a Child Safe Policy and associated Procedure which will apply to all employees, Councillors, volunteers and delegates of Council.
We expect the Policy to be presented to Council in the first half of 2022 for endorsement.
National Redress Scheme
The National Redress Scheme is a recommendation arising out of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. The Scheme commenced on 1 July 2018 and will be in place for 10 years (2018 - 2028).
The Redress Scheme was designed to provide acknowledgment and support to survivors of institutional child sexual abuse. It can provide any of three aspects to survivors. The first two include payment of up to $150,000 as well as access to counselling - both of which are underwritten by NSW Government. The third aspect includes a Direct Personal Response (DPR) whereby Council is responsible for delivering a personal apology and should be undertaken in consultation with the survivor.
Should Council become subject to an application through the Scheme, there is an accessible procedure and management process to be followed.
More information can be found on the National Redress Scheme website.
Making a Complaint
Goulburn Mulwaree Council takes complaints and allegations involving children and young people seriously. For a suspected or confirmed concern or complaint involving a Council staff member or Council representative where the safety or protection of children or young people (under 18 years of age) may have been compromised, complaints and concerns can be made directly to the service that your child/ren is involved in or via;
- council@goulburn.nsw.gov.au
- 4823 4444 - Please ask for the Business Manager of Governance.
Under the Children's Guardian Act 2019, Council is required to report any allegations against Council staff within 7 days.
Employment - Recruitment and Training
Goulburn Mulwaree Council is committed to the recruitment and training of its staff in being aware of child protection considerations, seeking to prevent harm and responding to risks posed to children and young people. This includes verifying Working with Children Checks for employees, volunteers and contractors in child-related roles.