Safeguarding children

Statement of Commitment

The Y and its Board of Directors have a zero-tolerance approach towards any form of child abuse or neglect. We are committed to the rights of children and young people to feel safe and be safe when participating in our organisation's activities, including those from an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, from a culturally and linguistically diverse background, in out-of-home care, with a disability, mental illness or in the LGBTQIA+ community.

Y employees, volunteers (including its Board of Directors), students on placement, consultants and contractors, affiliated associations, clients, parents, guardians, families and others associated with the Y are required to understand and act immediately on, the important responsibility they have to:

• Act according to the values of the Y: honesty, respect, caring, responsibility and safety
• Ensure all Y NSW staff and volunteers complete appropriate safeguarding children and young people training and understand their responsibilities to act in the best interests of children and young people
• Protect children, young people and vulnerable adults from all forms of abuse, bullying and exploitation and take the appropriate steps to report and respond to any incidents of abuse, neglect or exploitation brought to the attention of the Y NSW
• Be aware of, and familiar with, the Y National Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy and the Y NSW's Procedures including any incidents of abuse and neglect occurring outside the scope of the Y’s operations and services which may impact children, young people and vulnerable adults
• Ensure no one feels threatened, afraid or unsafe and that they are aware of how, and comfortable to, raise any concerns or issues with Y staff, knowing that concern or issue will be acted on appropriately and taken seriously.  

The Y’s own, endorsed, mandatory National Safeguarding Licensing Standards are based on the recommendation of the Royal Commission and the Australian Human Rights Commission's Child Safe Organisations National Principles.

Feel Safe, Be Safe

At the Y, we care about children and young people and supporting them to lead active and fulfilled roles within our community. That is why we are committed to listening to and amplifying their voices. We have developed our own Feel Safe, Be Safe Framework which aims to ensure that all children and young people are safe and feel safe at the Y, in their families and in their communities. We embed Safeguarding into everything we do to make sure children and young people are kept at the forefront of all our programs and services

Our safeguarding framework aims to develop:

•  A safe culture which empowers children and young people by promoting children and young person focused leadership and governance; 
• Safe operations to ensure Y People have the right policies, processes and practices to keep children and young people safe; and 
• Safe environments at the Y and in communities which empower children and young people to thrive.

Report an incident

More Information

• National Framework and Review
• Safe Environment
• Stay Safe, Tell Someone

Downloads

• The Y National Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy
• Child Friendly – Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy
• Teen Friendly – Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy
• National Safeguarding Licensing Standards
• The Y NSW's Procedures
• Gender Diversity Safeguarding Guidance
• Safe Behaviours Policy
• Standards of Conduct