Child Safe Policy

Scope

This policy applies to all SNAICC – National Voice for our Children employees, Board members, contractors and other visitors to the organisation including students and volunteers referenced in this policy as “Workforce”. 

Supporting the Participation of Children 

SNAICC – National Voice for our Children supports the active participation of children and young people in our organisation. We listen to the views of children and young people, respect what they say and involve them when we make decisions, especially about matters that will directly affect them

For the purpose of this policy, we will reference ‘child’ as being inclusive of persons 18 years and under and “young people” up to 25 years of age.

Supporting a Child Safe Workforce 

SNAICC – National Voice for our Children understands the key role that our workforce plays in supporting this Policy and will: 

Ensure we maintain a rigorous and consistent recruitment, screening and selection process in line with SNAICC’s recruitment and selection policy. This includes a requirement for ‘Working with Children Check’ and ‘National Police Check’ to be conducted on all staff, volunteers, students and Board;

1. Promote this policy as part of our employee / Board induction process.
2. Promote respect, fairness and consideration across our workforce processes. 
3. Ensure employees, volunteers and students have a supervisor to support and supervise their work. 
4. Ensure our workforce has a full appreciation of their mandatory reporting responsibilities. 
5. Ensure all new employees, volunteers and students receive a copy of SNAICC’s Child Safe, Code of Conduct and Grievance Management Policies.

Promoting Child Safe Complaints Processes 

SNAICC – National Voice for our Children understands that feedback from children comes in a variety of forms, including complaints. Our employees will promote safety for children who wish to raise concerns by:

• Ensuring children, and their caregiver/s engaged in direct activity are provided with the following documents; 
  • Child Safe Policy;
  • Grievance Management Policy; and
  • Code of Conduct; 
• Supporting a child or / and their caregiver to make a complaint. This includes considering options in raising and resolving concerns in line with their age, developmental capacity and the Grievance Management Policy.

Review 

This policy will be reviewed every two years and incorporate comments and suggestions from children and young people, parents and the SNAICC workforce.