Child Safe Organisation
Singleton Council is committed to being a Child Safe Organisation by embedding the NSW Child Safe Standards across our organisation's culture and practices.
Our Commitment
Council has a zero tolerance policy to child abuse and neglect. Council recognises the possible long-term effects child abuse can have on a child’s healthy development and wellbeing and is committed to creating an environment where children who engage with Council are safe and protected.
Our Child Safe Framework
Our Child Safe Framework is a comprehensive set of principles, policies, and practices designed to create environments where children are protected from harm, abuse, and neglect. It provides a structured approach for working with or encountering children to implement safeguards that promote their safety and wellbeing. The framework aligns with the Child Safe Standards.
The Child Safe Policy informs our policies, procedures and actions that relate to:
- Recruitment and Selection
- Responding and Reporting
- Allegations and Reportable Conduct
- Implementing Child Safe Standards.
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.
Fact sheets
Fact Sheet - Code of Conduct - Young people
Fact Sheet - Recognising signs of child abuse
Fact Sheet - Responding to child-initiated complaints
Fact Sheet - Child safe culture
Fact Sheet - Children and young people with diverse needs
Fact Sheet - Identifying child safe risks
Fact Sheet - Online child safety checklist
Fact Sheet - Code of Conduct - Children
How to report child protection concerns
If a child is in immediate danger call the Police on 000 (triple zero).
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 report child protection concerns involving a Singleton councillor, employee, contractor or volunteer to our Child Safe Manager by emailing childsafety@singleton.nsw.gov.au or to request a face-to-face meeting.
Resources
Child Safe Policy and Standards
Singleton Council has a Child Safe Policy which promotes the safety and wellbeing of children and ensures compliance with the NSW Child Safe Standards.
Child Safe Policy
NSW Child Safe Standards
The NSW Child Safe Standards recommended by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse provide a framework for making organisations safer for children.
NSW Reportable Conduct Scheme
The NSW Reportable Conduct Scheme monitors how organisations investigate and report on allegations of certain conduct towards children.
To find out more, visit the NSW Office of the Children's Guardian website.
Online safety
The following online safety tools and resources are available for parents, caregivers, children and young people.
ThinkUKnow – a national program providing online child safety information in schools and organisations to parents, carers, teachers and students from the first year of school to Year 12.
The eSafety Commissioner’s eSafety guide - learn about the latest games, apps and social media, including how to protect your information and report inappropriate content.
Online safety basics – three key strategies to help your children safely navigate their digital world and avoid harmful online experiences.
Office of the Children’s Guardian’s Online Safety guide - tips on how to keep children and young people safe online.
Online safety picture book and song – encourages young children to ask for help when they are using digital devices, to keep them safer online.
The Raising Children Network is an Australian parenting website and includes parenting guides and tools on:
Child protection
Child Protection Helpline
If you think a child or young person is at risk of harm from abuse or neglect, the helpline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Phone 132 111
NSW Communities and Justice
The Department of Community Justice (DCJ) works with children. They are committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people and protecting them from risk of harm, abuse and neglect.
The Office of the Children’s Guardian
The Office of the Children’s Guardian (OCG) regulate and oversee organisations in NSW to uphold children and young people’s right to be safe.
Counselling and support services
Confidential counselling is available for people of all ages by telephone or online.
Children or young people services
Kids Helpline
The Kids Helpline is 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.
Phone 1800 55 1800
Webchat Counselling is also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Headspace
Headspace is for 12 to 25 year olds for all issues. Phone counselling is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Phone 1800 650 890
All ages services
Lifeline
All ages, all issues. Phone counselling is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Phone 13 11 14
Online chat service is available 7pm to midnight.
Lifeline text service is available 12pm to midnight, SMS 0477 131 114.
Beyond Blue
All ages, all issues. Phone counselling is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Phone 1300 22 4636
Online chat service is available 1pm – midnight, 7 days a week.