Children & Young People Safety
What is Child Safety?
The Child Safety Standards were introduced in Victoria in 2016 to ensure that children and young people are protected from harm and abuse in organisations that provide services for them. At Dogs Victoria, this includes during all events and activities where children and young people may participate.
There are 11 standards that require organisations to set policies, practices and procedures to ensure children and young people are safe whilst engaged with them. Minimum requirements are to be upheld at all times. Dogs Victoria has completed a review with the Commission for Young People and been approved with what is in place.
What is Dogs Victoria’s commitment?
Dogs Victoria is committed to promoting and protecting the safety and wellbeing of children and young people in our care who access activities, services or facilities for which Dogs Victoria is responsible for.
This means that at all times whilst children and young people are participating or attending events and activities, there is an expectation that all members and attendees will act in a manner which keeps children and young people safe from harm and abuse. Dogs Victoria will promote a safe environment at all times.
How does this look at events?
Dogs Victoria will provide training and advice sheets on what the standards look like during events. This will help members to understand their role in helping to keep children and young people safe at all times. This may include things such as.
- Calling out inappropriate behaviour such as verbal abuse at events or intimidating behaviour
- Keeping an eye on children and young people to ensure they stay in a safe environment
- Adhering to good sportsmanship at all times, encouraging children and young people to participate
- Following the Code of Conduct as outlined in the Child Safety policy on the website
- Engaging with children and young people in a responsible, safe and supportive manner
- Reporting concerns to the Dogs Victoria Representative at events to then report to the Office Manager of Dogs Victoria
What can I do to help?
Reading through the policies on the Dogs Victoria website are a great start.
https://www.dogsvictoria.org.au/about/children-young-people-safety/
Knowing what your role is to supporting children and young people is a great way to ensure that we are all acting to keep people safe. Making a report of any concerns you have ensures that actions can be taken where necessary.
When at events and activities, keep an eye on what is happening around you and speak up for those that may not have a voice themselves.
What is Dogs Victoria doing already?
The Child Safety Advisory panel meet to review policies and practices of Dogs Victoria. This panel reviews concerns that are raised and provides timely advice to the Office Operations Manager and Management Committee.
Education articles are being developed and will be released to provide a greater insight to what Child Safety looks like at Dogs Victoria.
Regulation changes and updates may be necessary to ensure Judges, Stewards, Club officials and those involved in running events keep up to date with requirements.
The responsibility to keep children and young people safe is one that every member holds, training modules are being investigated to support our understanding of this.
Compliance processes and procedures are being reviewed for any report involving children and young people to ensure a fast tracking of such complaints is provided for a timely response. Dogs Victoria is committed to protecting all members and abuse will not be tolerated.
The next step…
Training modules and articles are being developed. These will be shared once they have been approved and are set to be distributed. Members should begin by reading the updated polices on the website and email through any questions that they may have.
Dogs Victoria have a dedicated email to address any child safety concerns you have. childsafety@dogsvictoria.org.au If you have any queries or concerns, please contact us.
Children & Young People - How to make a complaint?
Children & Young People Incident Report
Children & Young People Safety Commitment Statement
Children & Young People Safety Policy
Children & Young People Safety Code of Conduct
Children & Young People Safety Recruitment Policy
Children & Young People Safety Role Appointed Form
Compliance - Lodging a complaint with the VCA
Responsible Business, Contract & Procurement Policy
Step-Step Guide to Making a Report to Child Protection
The Child Safe Standards Information for Children
The Child Safe Standards Information for Young People
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