Commitment to Child Safety

ROBINVALE DISTRICT HEALTH SERVICES CHILD SAFETY COMMITMENT (BETRAYAL OF TRUST REPORT)

In response to the Betrayal of Trust report, the Victorian Government has strengthened laws to protect our children from sexual abuse and exposure to sexual offenders.

This is in recognition of the shared community responsibility to protect children from abuse and to provide a safe environment for children to develop, learn and play.

Victorian law “failure to protect – children from sexual abuse” is applicable to all Victorians who form a reasonable belief that a sexual offence has been committed by an adult against a child less than 16 years. Failure to disclose the information to police is also a criminal offence.

People in authority in our organisation will commit an offence if they know of a substantial risk of child sexual abuse and have the power or responsibility to reduce or remove the risk, but negligently fail to do so.

Any personnel who are mandatory reporters must comply with their duties.

STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT TO CHILD SAFETY

Robinvale District Health Services (RDHS) is committed to safety and wellbeing of all children and young people.

• RDHS has zero tolerance for child abuse.
• RDHS is committed to the safety, participation and empowerment of all children.
• RDHS is committed to providing a child safe environment where children and young people are safe and feel safe, and their voices are heard about decisions that affect their lives.
• RDHS is committed to promoting the cultural safety, participation and empowerment of Aboriginal, promoting the cultural safety, participation and empowerment of children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, and ensuring that children with a disability are safe and can participate equally.

Every person involved in RDHS has a responsibility to understand the important and specific role they play individually and collectively to ensure that the wellbeing and safety of all children and young people is at the forefront of all they do and every decision they make.

RDHS has systems to protect children from abuse, will take all allegations very seriously and will respond consistently in line with the organisation’s policies and procedures.

RDHS demonstrates its commitment to child safety by;

• Reporting suspected abuse, neglect or mistreatment promptly to the appropriate authorities;
• Taking a preventative, proactive and participatory approach to child safety;
• Valuing and empowering all children to participate in decisions which affect their lives;
• Fostering a culture of openness that supports all persons to safely disclose risks of harm to children;
• Respecting diversity in cultures and child rearing practices while keeping child safety paramount;
• Providing written guidance, training and education on appropriate conduct and behaviour towards children;
• Engaging only the most suitable people to work with children and have high quality staff and volunteer supervision and professional development;
• Ensuring children know who to talk with if they are worried or are feeling unsafe, and that they are comfortable and encouraged to raise such issues;
• Valuing the input of and communicate regularly with families and carers.