The Child and Youth Safe Standards (the Standards) are 10 principles that form one part of the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Framework. Organisations that are required to comply must:
- promote the safety and wellbeing of children and young people; and
- prevent abuse and harm to children and young people.
Tasmania's Standards mirror the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations.
Organisations must also give effect to the Universal Principle for Aboriginal Cultural Safety. This means organisations must provide an environment that ensures the right to cultural safety of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander children and young people is respected.
Click on the banners below to read more about each of the 10 Standards.
Standard 1: Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture.
This means all people in the organisation care about children and young people’s safety and wellbeing above everything else, and make sure they act that way and lead others to act that way.
Standard 2: Children and young people are informed about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.
This means children and young people are told about their human rights, have a say in decisions and are taken seriously.
Standard 3: Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.
This means families and communities know about and are involved in the organisation's child and safety and wellbeing activities.
Standard 4: Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice.
This means the rights of every child and young person are being met, and children and young people are treated with dignity, respect and fairness.
Standard 5: People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice.
This means people working with children and young people are safe to work with children and young people and respectful of them. They are taught how to keep children safe and well.
Standard 6: Processes to respond to complaints and concerns are child focused.
This means children, young people, families, staff and volunteers are listened to and can share problems and concerns.
Standard 7: Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training.
This means staff and volunteers keep learning all the time so they know how to keep children and young people safe and well.
Standard 8: Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed.
This means children and young people are safe in online and physical spaces.
Standard 9: Implementation of the Child and Youth Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved.
This means the organisation keeps reviewing and improving its child safety and wellbeing practices.
Standard 10: Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people.
This means organisation writes down how it keeps children and young people safe and well, and makes sure that everyone can see these documents.
Resources including compliance guidance are available to assist organisations in complying with the Standards.
Learn more about:
Seeking help?
We encourage anyone affected by, or with concerns about, child sexual abuse or other types of child abuse to access advice and support.
Tasmania:
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For information about child wellbeing and safety, contact
Strong Families, Safe Kids Advice and Referral Line:- Phone: 1800 000 123
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For free and confidential support for people who have been affected by sexual violence, contact the Tasmanian Sexual Assault Support Line (24 hour response state-wide):
- Phone: 1800 697 877
- This line is run by the Sexual Assault Support Service in the South, and Laurel House in the North West.
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For information and support for children, young people and adults affected by family violence, contact
Family Violence Counselling and Support Service:- Phone: 1800 608 122
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For free and confidential support for people impacted by crime, contact Victims of Crime Service:
- Phone: 1300 300 238
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For support for relationships and to live positive lives, contact Relationships Australia Tasmania:
- Phone: 1300 364 277
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For culturally appropriate, trauma-informed legal and non-legal services and assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander victims/survivors of family violence and sexual assault, contact SIS.
- Phone: 1800 747 827
National:
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For domestic, family, and sexual violence counselling and support, contact
1800RESPECT:- Phone: 1800 737 732
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For short-term support if you are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping or staying safe, contact Lifeline:
- Phone: 13 11 14
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For free professional phone and online counselling for anyone affected by suicide living in Australia, contact Suicide Call Back Service:
- Phone: 1300 659 467
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For information and support for anxiety, depression and suicide prevention for everyone in Australia, contact Beyond Blue:
- Phone: 1300 224 636
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For information and support for anyone who is affected by complex trauma, contact
Blue Knot Foundation:- Phone: 1300 657 380
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For counselling and support for Australian men, contact MensLine Australia:
- Phone: 1300 789 978
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For advice for men about family violence, contact Men's Referral Service:
- Phone: 1300 766 491
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For free 24/7, confidential and private counselling service specifically for children and young people aged 5 to 25 years, contact Kids Helpline:
- Phone: 1800 55 1800