Roseberry Qld has created a Child and Youth Risk Management Strategy that aligns with the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations, developed in response to recommendations identified by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. The purpose of the National Principles is to provide a nationally consistent approach to embedding a child-safe culture across all sectors of Australian society in which children are involved.

A child-safe organisation puts the best interests of children and young people first. A child-safe organisation is one that creates a culture, adopts strategies, and takes action to promote child well-being and prevent harm to children and young people.

The National Principles for a child-safe organisation are:

1. Child safety and well-being is embedded in organisational leadership, governance, and culture.
2. Children and young people are informed about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.
3. Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and well-being.
4. Equity is upheld, and diverse needs are respected in policy and practice.
5. People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and well-being values in practice.
6. Processes for complaints and concerns are child-focused.
7. Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training.
8. Physical and online environments promote safety and well-being while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed.
9. Implementation of the national child safe principles is regularly reviewed and improved.
10. Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people.

Roseberry Qld’s Child and Youth Risk Management Strategy

The Child and Youth Risk Management Strategy forms part of the Blue Card prevention and monitoring system administered by Blue Card Services, the Department of Justice and Attorney-General, which aims to create safe and supportive service environments for children and young people.

Under the provisions of the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000, and the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Regulation 2020, it is a requirement that regulated employers and businesses develop and implement risk management strategies to identify and minimise the risk of harm to children and young people in their service environment. Roseberry Qld is a regulated employer under the legislation.

To meet our legislative obligations, the Child and Youth Risk Management Strategy must include eight minimum requirements under key areas of service delivery, which are:

Commitment

• A statement of commitment to the safety and wellbeing of children and the protection of children from harm; and
• A Code of Conduct inclusive of conduct relating to interacting with Children.

Capabilities

• Written procedures for recruiting, selecting, training, and managing the workforce.

Concerns

• Procedures for handling disclosures or suspicions of harm, including reporting guidelines.
• A plan for managing breaches of this Risk Management Strategy; and
  Risk management plans for high-risk activities and special events.

Policies

• Policies and procedures for managing compliance with the requirements of the blue card system; and
• Strategies for communication and support.