Shellharbour City Council are committed to being a child safe organisation. Find out more!
Safety & Wellbeing
Children and young people have the right to be safe in their own homes and in the community. They have the right to live without violence and abuse.
Shellharbour City Council are committed to being a child safe organisation where the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people is valued and prioritised.
This page will outline Council's commitment and actions toward child safeguarding and offer information to support clear understanding and guidance on what the community can expect
from our organisation.
Shellharbour City Council Statement of Comittment
Our commitment to child safety upholds a zero tolerance of child abuse. Our organisation will promote and support the safety, welfare and wellbeing of children and young people where abuse is prevented, responded to and reported.
As a Council, we endeavour to inform, listen to and empower children and young people to voice opinions about decisions that directly affect them.
We value children and young people as meaningful and beneficial members of our community and we are committed to an organisation where our staff and our practices hold child safety as a paramount objective.
We seek to ensure equity for all children and young people interacting with our services and seek to continually improve how we maintain safety in our organisation.
Who to contact for help or support?
If you need help, assistance or urgent support, call one of the following crisis services:
In an emergency or immediate risk of harm call the emergency number Triple Zero 000, to be connected to Police, Fire or Ambulance services.
If you think a child or young person is at risk of harm from abuse or neglect contact the Child Protection Helpline on 132 111
For complaints or concerns about an NDIS provider Contact the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission on 1800 035 544
For private and confidential telephone counselling for people aged 5 to 25 years contact the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800
What has Council done so far to become a child safe organisation?
Council are committed to the ongoing evaluation and improvement of our services and spaces in relation to child safety and wellbeing. Council have recently adapted the Child Safety & Wellbeing Policy. The policy outlines Council's commitment to identifying and reducing risk of harm for children and young people in our community. The policy also steps out each of the 10 Child Safe Standards and how they apply to our organisation. You can read the policy HERE.
Giving Council your feedback, complaint or concern
Shellharbour City Council takes complaints and allegations involving children and young people seriously. Where appropriate, feedback, concerns or complaints can be made directly to Council by following Council's Complaints Procedure.
Please follow this link - Customer complaint / feedback form | Shellharbour Council
Our Child Safety & Wellbeing Policy
The Child Safety & Wellbeing Policy outlines Council's commitment to child safety and addresses how we will meet each of the 10 Child Safe Standards. It is the foundational step in Council's journey toward being a child safe organisation.
Read it HERE.
I'm a local community organisation that works with children and families. Where can I go to find out more information about my obligations with The Child Safe Standards or get support?
All services, groups and businesses that work directly with children and young people should consider their responsibilities and obligations toward child safeguarding and adopting the Child Safe Standards.
What does a child safe organisation aim to do?
A child safe organisation means that the place where our children spend time is safe from physical, sexual, psychological, ill-treatment and neglect. A child safe place will have established rules to make sure children and young people are kept safe.
Find out more about what you need to do and how this effects your service or business:
- Visit the Office Of The Children's Guardian website to read more information about the Child Safe Scheme HERE.
- Access resources and templates from the Office Of The Children's Guardian HERE.
- Contact Council if you have an enquiry or would like to know more information council@shellharbour.nsw.gov.au.
What does a child safe organisation aim to do?
A child safe organisation means that the place where our children spend time is safe from physical, sexual, psychological, ill-treatment and neglect. A child safe place will have established rules to make sure children and young people are kept safe.
Why do we have The Child Safe Standards?
The Standards are based on the extensive research and consultation by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. The Child Safe Standards provide a framework for creating child safe organisations. They are designed to drive cultural change to create, maintain and improve child safe practices. When organisations implement the Standards, they build a culture where abuse of children is prevented, responded to and reported.
Who do the standards apply to?
All child-related organisations will benefit from implementing the Child Safe Standards. However, there are many organisations in NSW that must implement the Child Safe Standards under the Child Safe Scheme. Organisations that are already covered by the Reportable Conduct Scheme (entities listed in Schedule 1 of the Children’s Guardian Act 2019), including organisations in the Education, Early Childhood, Health and Youth Justice sectors, are required to implement the Child Safe Standards. Local councils, religious organisations providing services to children and sport and recreation organisations providing services to children are also required to implement the Standards.
What is child abuse and neglect?
Child abuse and neglect is a crime, yet it continues to be an issue in Australia. There are different forms of child abuse: neglect, sexual, physical and emotional abuse.
Neglect – Neglect is when a parent or caregiver cannot regularly give a child the basic things needed for his or her growth and development, such as food, clothing, shelter, medical and dental care, adequate supervision, and enough parenting and care.
Sexual abuse – Sexual abuse is when someone involves a child or young person in a sexual activity by using their power over them or taking advantage of their trust. Often children or young people are bribed or threatened physically and psychologically to make them participate in the activity. Sexual abuse is a crime.
Physical abuse – Physical abuse is a non-accidental injury or pattern of injuries to a child or young person caused by a parent, caregiver or any other person. It includes but is not limited to injuries which are caused by excessive discipline, severe beatings or shakings, cigarette burns, attempted strangulation and female genital mutilation. Injuries include bruising, lacerations or welts, burns, fractures or dislocation of joints. The application of any unreasonable physical force to a child is a crime in NSW. For example, hitting a child or young person around the head or neck, or using a stick, belt or other object to discipline or punish a child or young person (in a manner that is not trivial or negligible) may be considered a crime
Emotional abuse or psychological harm – Serious psychological harm can occur where the behaviour of their parent or caregiver damages the confidence and self esteem of the child or young person, resulting in serious emotional disturbance or psychological trauma. Although it is possible for ‘one off’ incidents to cause serious harm, in general it is the frequency, persistence and duration of the parental or carer behaviour that is instrumental in defining the consequences for the child or young person. This can include a range of behaviours such as excessive criticism, withholding affection, exposure to domestic violence, intimidation or threatening behaviour. Definition provided by NSW Government Communities & Justice website
How do I identify signs of abuse?
There are common physical and behavioural signs that may indicate abuse or neglect. The presence of one of these signs does not necessarily mean abuse or neglect. Other things need to be considered, such as the circumstances of the child, young person or family.
When considering if a child or young person has been abused or neglected, or is at risk of this, it is important to keep in mind the life circumstances of the child, young person and their family.
The NSW Government Communities & Justice website provides a comprehensive list of possible signs of abuse. Please follow this link to view the list and read more information.
What is a child protection allegation?
A suspected or confirmed concern or complaint involving Council services, a Council staff member or Council representative and children or young people (under 18 years of age). This is where the child or young person’s care, safety or protection may have been compromised as a result.
Where to next?
Council have made a commitment to continue to examine our policies, practices and procedures to grow and improve our organisation in relation to child safeguarding. Council will be providing training for all staff and are working on releasing our Child Friendly City Action Plan in 2023 which will also consider the safety and wellbeing of our youngest community members.