How to build a strong child protection culture
As part of a broader awareness campaign by the Department of Human Services (DHS), we're sharing this friendly reminder about child safe essentials for organisations that provide services to children and young people.
While many organisations already have these essentials in place, DHS recognises that requirements can sometimes be overlooked, particularly in busy or volunteer-run organisations.
Under South Australian law, any organisation that provides a service to children and young people needs to have three key elements in place:
- Child safe policies and procedures that align with the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations
These should explain how concerns are reported and address Working with Children Check (WWCC) requirements. They should be reviewed at least once every five years.
- A Child Safe Environments Compliance Statement, lodged with the Department of Human Services
This should be submitted once all relevant policies and procedures are established and whenever they are updated.
- Working with Children Checks (WWCCs)
Organisations are required to verify the WWCC of every employee or volunteer through the DHS Screening Unit portal and notify of any changes relating to that individual.
DHS’s Child Safe Environments webpage has free policy templates, a guide to writing a child safe policy, information on the National Principles and the online form for lodging compliance statements.
Further information for employers is available here: SA.GOV.AU - Organisations Working with Children Check obligations and responsibilities