Child and youth safety
Keeping children and young people safe, supported and heard
Our commitment to being a child safe organisation
At Mission Australia, children and young people’s safety and wellbeing come first. We are committed to creating environments where every child and young person feels safe, respected, supported and able to speak up. We also listen to the voices of children and young people through a range of channels, including Mission Australia’s annual Youth Survey, and use their insights to help improve our services and advocate for change.
This hub brings together all of our key information, policies and resources so children, families, carers, staff and community members can clearly understand:
- how we keep children and young people safe
- what behaviours we expect from everyone at Mission Australia
- how to share feedback or raise a concern the rights of children and young people in our programs
Our goal is to be open, transparent and easy to understand. If something doesn’t make sense or you need help, please reach out, we are here to listen.
Our child safe statement
All children and young people have a right to feel safe, and to be safe at all times. Mission Australia will not tolerate any risk of harm, harm, abuse or neglect of children or young people involved with our services. We are committed to creating environments which are child safe and child friendly in line with our Founding Purpose and Values.
We take a preventative and proactive approach to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people, that everyone understands and where everyone feels confident to have a say and raise any concerns.
Read the full Our commitment to child safety statement (PDF)
We respect and value the rights of all children and young people and support them to reach their full potential. We recognise that particular consideration needs to be paid to the cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people.
We also acknowledge the particular needs of children and young people arising from their cultural and linguistic background, sexuality, gender diversity, disability, or as a result of early adverse experiences or other trauma.
Read the full Our commitment to child safety statement (PDF)
Safeguarding children and young people is the responsibility of all Mission Australia workers. Mission Australia will:
- Drive a culture of child safety at all levels of the organisation.
- Invite children and young people to be at the centre of everything we do by ensuring they actively participate in decisions that impact them, and are aware of their rights and responsibilities.
- Empower families and communities to participate in decisions which affect their lives.
- Value diversity and promote inclusive practices.
- Employ and engage only people who are suitable to work with children and young people and provide high quality supervision and support.
Read the full Our commitment to child safety statement (PDF)
Responding to concerns and ensuring safety is the responsibility of all Mission Australia workers. Mission Australia will:
6. Ensure children and young people who feel unsafe or wish to raise a concern know who to talk with and feel comfortable to do so. We take all allegations or disclosures of abuse or neglect seriously, respond appropriately, report concerns to the relevant authorities, and uphold our values of Compassion and Integrity at all times. The safety of the child/young person will be our primary consideration and no Mission Australia worker will obstruct any investigation or collude to protect any person or organisation. 7. Ensure workers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children safe.
8. Maintain the safety, suitability and security of our physical and online environments which children and young people access.
9. Embed Child Safe principles within our quality assurance practices.
10. Undertake regular review of policy and procedures that document how our organisation is child safe.
Read the full Our commitment to child safety statement (PDF)
