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Council's Commitment to Child Safety
Council is committed to fulfilling its duty of care to ensure that Children and Young People who access Council services are safeguarded from harm, recognising that feeling safe can be as important to Children and Young People as being safe.
Child safety and protection is everyone’s responsibility, including Council workers, families and carers of Children and Young People.
Council is a registered agency under the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 (NSW) (Act) and is committed to fulfilling its legislative and regulatory obligations regarding child protection.
If a child or group of children is in immediate Risk of Significant Harm (ROSH) contact Police on 000
If you need to report a crime or (non-urgent Police Assistance) contact your local Police on 131 444 or call Crimestoppers https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/ on 1800 333 000
In the case of non emergency child related concerns or reports please email Councils Child Safe Triage Team via email; childsafe@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au or via phone 9806 5021
Background
The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse highlighted cases where organisations in Australia failed to protect children in their care.
As a result of recommendations from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, the Children’s Guardian Amendment Act 2019 (Child Safe Scheme) Bill 2021 was introduced.
The object of this Bill is to embed the Child Safe Standards, as recommended by the Royal Commission as the primary framework that guides child safe practice in organisations in New South Wales.
The Child Safe Scheme came into effect in February 2022 and Local Councils are listed in Schedule 1 of the Children’s Guardian Act 2019 as organisations that are required to implement the Child Safe Standards within the Child Safe Scheme.
What is the Child Safe Scheme?
Under the Child Safe Scheme, certain child-related organisations (and all Councils) in NSW must put into action the Child Safe Standards recommended by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
Council welcomes this scheme and we are committed to implementing the Child Safe Standards across all areas of Council to ensure the safety, wellbeing and empowerment of all children and young people within our care and who access our services.
Child Safety is a shared responsibility and it’s important that we all do our part to keep children safe from harm and to report and respond to child safety concerns if they arise.
Child Safe Standards
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 we apply the Standards, we build a culture where abuse of children is prevented, responded to and reported.
They are based on the extensive research and consultation by the Royal Commission, and they provide clear guidance on how to create cultures, adopt strategies and act to put the interests of children first to keep them safe from harm.
What we have achieved to become a child safe organisation so far
Creation of a robust child safe framework, policies and processes including;
- Child Safe Policy
Council's Child Safe Policy outlines how Council will meet its commitment and obligations, including under Child Safety Law, to safeguard Children’s wellbeing by adopting strategies and acting to put the interests of Children first to keep them safe from harm.
Whilst this is an operational document that applies to our workers, Council wishes to be transparent in our commitment to child safety and make our position, responsibilities and expectations available publicly.
- Child Safe Commitment Statement
A Public statement that affirms the Council's commitment to Child Safety
- Child Safe Code of Conduct (Councillors & Workers)
The Code identifies expected behaviours and attitudes of all adults when interacting with children and young people at any of Council's facilities, services and programs. The Code applies to City of Parramatta Councillors and Workers.
- Child Safe Community Code of Conduct
Council has proudly developed a Child Safe Community Code of Conduct in partnership with our Community. This Code is an important part of Council's child safe approach and framework. The Code identifies expected behaviours and attitudes of all adults when interacting with children and young people at any of Council's facilities, services and programs.
This Code can be accessed in multiple languages here:
- Child Safe Reporting Process
A child focused complaints process that supports children, the community and council workers to report any child related concerns.
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2024 theme; Stronger Communities, Safer Children
National Child Protection Week is coordinated by NAPCAN every September with the message that protecting children is everyone’s business. This year’s theme, “Stronger Communities, Safer Children”, emphasises that communities matter to children, and asks all Australians to play their part to help protect children and support families within their communities.
Each year Council promotes NAPCAN’s key themes
NAPCAN -
The National Redress Scheme commenced on 1 July 2018, in response to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. The Royal Commission listened to thousands of survivors detail the abuse they experienced as children while in the care of an institution. The abuse happened in institutions such as orphanages, children’s homes, schools, churches, sports clubs, hospitals, and foster care.
Applications for National Redress Scheme can be made from 1 July 2018.
You can choose to apply if you:
- experienced institutional child sexual abuse before 1 July 2018, and
- are aged over 18 or will turn 18 before 30 June 2028, and
- apply between 1 July 2018 and 30 June 2027, and
- are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, unless an exception applies to you as a former child migrant
How to apply? -
Conversations with the people around us have the power to prevent child sexual abuse. Let’s end child sexual abuse, one talk at a time
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Council assesses online safety risks and has risk management strategies in place to keep children safe in online environments. For more information please access;
- E-Safety Commissioner Find the latest information to help you manage online safety issues https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-topics
- ThinkUKnow Australia is an evidence-based education program led by the Australian Federal Police (AFP), delivered nationally in partnership with police and industry partners to prevent online child sexual exploitation https://www.thinkuknow.org.au/about
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Contracted Service Providers; When engaging Contracted Service Providers, Council will maintain procurement practices which meet the requirements of the Child Safe Standards. This is an organisation-wide objective to ensure that the work, services, systems and infrastructure provided by Council considers the safety, wellbeing and participation of Children.
Hire agreement statement; Council supports the rights of Children and Young People and is committed to their care and protection. Council believes that the safety and wellbeing of Children and Young People is everybody’s business. Council requires all hirers to comply with Child Safety Law requirements, including around child protection, reportable conduct, Children’s employment and working with Children.
Please refer to the Child Safe Policy and localised procedures when engaging with Councils facilities and services.
If you need help now, call one of the following services
- Emergency services 000
- Child Protection Helpline 13 21 11
- Disaster Welfare Services 1800 018 444
- Domestic Violence Line 1800 656 463
- Kids Helpline 1800 551 800
- Lifeline 13 11 14
- Link2home Homelessness 1800 152 152
- NSW Elder Abuse Helpline 1800 628 221
- NSW Victims Access Line 1800 633 063
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The Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) works with children, adults, families and communities to deliver services with a unified and collaborative approach with the objective of achieving a vibrant, sustainable and inclusive community.
Family & Community Services
Child Protection Helpline
Tel : 132 111 (To report child abuse and neglect - 24 hours)
TTY : 1800 212 936
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Kids Helpline is Australia’s only free (even from a mobile), confidential 24/7 online and phone counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25.
Kids helpline
Phone: 1800 55 1800
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The Office of the Children’s Guardian is a statutory NSW government agency that oversees organisations that provide services to children.
Phone:
Office of the Children’s Guardian
(02) 8219 3777 – Working with Children Check
(02) 8219 3600 – Switchboard
(02) 8219 3800 – Reportable Conduct -
1800 RESPECT is the national domestic violence and sexual assault hotline. The service offers information, free confidential counselling, and safety planning services.
Phone: 1800 737 732 (24 hours/ 7 days)
1800 RESPECT
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The QLife family includes hundreds of highly experienced staff and volunteers Australia-wide. If you're looking to connect with someone to explore what's going on in your life, we're here to chat and to take your call from 3pm-midnight each day. QLife also welcome contact from people who may not be LGBTIQ+ but who want to talk about someone else they care about.
Call 1800 184 527
QLife
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This is a free program in the Parramatta area, to help you build a positive relationship with your children (under 12 years old) and support their development.
Phone: 0439 978 721
Opening hours: Tuesday to Thursday, 9am–5pm
Uniting Parramatta Family Support -
Provides mental health support, services and information to young people, aged 12-25, and their families and friends. Headspace can help with mental health, general health, alcohol and other drug services as well as work and study support.
Phone: 1300 737 616
Headspace Parramatta -
Youth Health services are funded by NSW Health and are currently provided to young people aged 12-24 years, who are connected to the WSLHD catchment area.
- High Street Youth Service
65 High Street, Harris Park – Ph: 8860 2500 Fax: 9687 2731 - Western Area Adolescent Team
Corner of Kelly Close & Buran Close, Mount Druitt – Ph: 9881 1230 Fax: 9625 9110 - The Sydney Children’s Hospital Network
There are two Child Protection Units located in The Children’s Hospitals at Westmead and Randwick. They provide forensic, medical and counseling health services for children, young people and their families following allegations of child abuse and neglect. Services are provided for children and young people 0-16 years of age.
The Children's Hospital at Westmead
Phone: (02) 9845 2434
After hours: (02) 9845 0000
- High Street Youth Service
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A NSW state-wide community legal centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, children and youth.
Landline: 02 9569 3847
Wirringa Baiya
Free Call: 1800 686 587
