Child Safe Organisation
Snowy Monaro Regional Council is committed to being a child safe organisation by embedding the 10 Child Safe Standards across our organisation's culture and practices.
Our commitment to being a child safe organisation is demonstrated by our policies, procedures, training and overall culture. We strive to create an environment where children and young people feel safe, heard and valued.
Children and young people engage with Council in a variety of ways, whether it be through child-specific programs and services, by accessing community services such as libraries, leisure, and community centres, by participating in community events, or by enjoying our parks and open spaces.
Child Safe Standards poster(PDF, 347KB)
What is a Child Safe Organisation?
A child safe organisation puts the best interests of children and young people first.
A child safe organisation:
- creates an environment where children’s safety and wellbeing is at the centre of thought, values and actions
- places emphasis on genuine engagement with and valuing of children and young people
- creates conditions that reduce the likelihood of harm to children and young people
- creates conditions that increase the likelihood of identifying any harm
- responds to any concerns, disclosures, allegations or suspicions of harm.
Our Child Safe Framework
Council developed a Child Safe Policy which outlines the responsibilities of Council and staff in relation to keeping children safe. It informs our policies, procedures and actions that relate to:
- recruitment and selection
- working with children and background checks
- responding and reporting to complaints and feedback
- allegations and reportable conduct
- implementing Child Safe Standards.
Snowy Monaro Regional Council acknowledges that creating a child safe culture and embedding procedures across our organisation is a process which will requires a considered approach and a long term evolution. Council is committed to ensuring that children and young people are valued and protected in our region.
Snowy Monaro Regional Council adopted its Child Safe Policy and Framework on 20 June 2024.
SMRC Child Safe Policy(PDF, 275KB)
SMRC Child Safe Framework(PDF, 61KB)
How to report child protection concerns
If a child is in immediate danger, call the police on 000 (triple zero).
If a child or young person is at risk of significant harm, certain staff are mandated by law to report these concerns to the Child Protection Helpline. A tool called the Mandatory Reporter Guide is used to help determine what information is reported.
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.
You can also confidentially report child protection concerns involving a Snowy Monaro Regional Council Councillor, employee, contractor or volunteer to council@snowymonaro.nsw.gov.au
NSW Reportable Conduct Scheme
The NSW Reportable Conduct Scheme monitors how organisations investigate and report on allegations of certain conduct towards children. All Local Government entities (Councils) in NSW are "relevant entities" under the Children's Guardian Act 2019.
To find out more, visit the NSW Office of the Children's Guardian website.
National Redress Scheme
The National Redress Scheme has been created in response to recommendations by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. The National Redress Scheme provides support to people who experienced institutional child sexual abuse.
The scheme:
- acknowledges that many children and young people were sexually abused in Australian institutions
- holds institutions accountable for this abuse
- helps people who have experienced institutional child sexual abuse gain access to counselling, a direct personal response, and a Redress payment.
Council acknowledges the life-long impact of institutional child sexual abuse on survivors and is a participating organisation in the National Redress Scheme. As a participating organisation, if a survivor of child sexual abuse seeks access to the National Redress Scheme, Council will act with discretion, in good faith and use its best endeavours to assist people applying for redress by providing information.
To learn more about the National Redress Scheme, what it offers, who can apply and things to consider before applying, visit the National Redress website.
Resources
Support Services for Children and Families
The Kids Helpline - kidshelpline.com.au
Support for children and young people aged 5 to 25 years. All issues are confidential and phone counselling is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. PH: 1800 551 800 or WebChat is also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Headspace - headspace.org.au
Headspace is available for 12 to 25 year olds and for all issues. Phone counselling is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. PH: 1800 650 890
Beyond Blue - beyondblue.org.au
All ages, all issues. Phone and webchat counselling is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. PH: 1300 224 636 or use Beyond Blue Webchat.
SMRC acknowledges the LGNSW Child Safe Organisations network in the creation of the content for this page.