Glamorgan Spring Bay Council Child Safe Statement of Commitment

All children and young people have the right to feel and be safe, to be heard in matters that affect them and to be protected from harm. 

At Glamorgan Spring Bay Council, we are accountable for upholding these rights. We embrace our responsibility to guide and achieve positive change across our community. We will work as one to put the rights and wellbeing of children and young people at the centre of what we do. We will build and maintain a workplace that is safe for children and young people. We will listen to the diverse needs of all children and young people, no matter their background, culture, abilities, or identity. 

Our promise goes beyond just words. We are committed to making meaningful and ongoing changes to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. We will employ the right people. We will embed a culture of self-reflection and continuous improvement. Children and young people will influence decisions that affect them. We will listen to them and learn from them. We will have the courage to change what needs to be changed. We will regularly review our policies and structures through a child and youth safety lens.  

We will be equipped with the skills to recognise and respond to signs of harm to children and young people. Our culture will be one where everyone takes responsibility and speaks up if something doesn’t seem right to make sure all children and young people are safe from harm.  

Glamorgan Spring Bay Council is committed to the safety, wellbeing, and empowerment of all children and young people, and expect all employees to contribute to our rights-based approach to care, including meeting all mandatory reporting obligations.  In order to do this, workers will: 

• Take all reasonable steps to protect children and young people from abuse. 

• Treat all children and young people with respect and dignity. 

• Respect the privacy of children, young people and their families by ensuring all child protection concerns are handled with confidentiality and discretion, whilst taking the safety and best interest of the child into account. 

• Take a child or young person seriously if they disclose harm or abuse and fulfill your duties as a worker 

• Adhere to all relevant Australian and Tasmanian legislation including the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Act 2023, the Registration to Work with Vulnerable People Act 2013 (where applicable) and all Council’s policies and procedures. 

• Actively promote cultural safety and inclusion. 

• Report any conflicts of interest (such as any connection or association with the family or relations of the child or young person). 

• Raise concerns with Council’s General Manager, if risks to a child or young person’s safety are suspected and/or identified. 

Council’s Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy defines Council’s commitment to this and outlines our position and responsibilities toward the safeguarding of children and young people in our physical and online environments.  The Child and Youth Safe Standards are the 10 principles that organisations must do to respect and uphold children and young people’s rights and also creates accountability in preventing harm to children and young people.

OFFICE OF THE INDEPENDENT REGULATOR

The Office of the Independent Regulator oversees Tasmanian organisations required to comply with the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Framework.

Further information and resources for organisations, parents & carers and children and young people can be found at the Office of the Independent Regulator website https://oir.tas.gov.au/home