The Smith Family's commitment to child protection
The Smith Family is a signatory to the Australia Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) Commitment to young Australians. This commitment guides decisions about our day to day and longer term actions that affect children and young people
We take seriously our responsibility to provide an environment that is caring, nurturing and safe for the children and young people participating in our programs.
Commitment statement
Commitment to Safeguarding Children and Young People From Abuse and Neglect
The Smith Family is an independent, non-profit organisation committed to helping disadvantaged Australian children by unlocking opportunities through education and learning.
Our organisation operates and/or is represented in communities across Australia, where we facilitate access to programs, and formal and informal learning opportunities for children, young people and their families or carers.
We take seriously our responsibility to provide an environment that is caring, nurturing and safe for the children and young people participating in our programs.
In particular, our organisation is committed to safeguarding the children and young people in our care from:
- Sexual abuse
- Physical abuse.
- Emotional abuse
- Neglect
- Witnessing Family Violence
This commitment to providing a safe environment for the children and young people to whom we offer a range of opportunities for fuller participation in society is approved and endorsed at the highest levels of our organisation. Our Board of Directors endorses and approves of The Smith Family's commitment to Safeguarding Children from abuse and neglect.
The Smith Family is a signatory to the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) Commitment to Young Australians.
This commitment guides decisions about our day to day and longer term actions that affect children and young people. For more information on this Commitment see link below.
http://www.aracy.org.au/index.cfm?pageName=mbr_C_to_YA
Framework policy statement
The Smith Family Framework to Safeguard Children and Young People from Abuse and Neglect* outlines The Smith Family's commitment to child safety and protection. It describes The Smith Family roles, responsibilities and management strategies that will ensure child safe environments in all programs and activities.
The Framework takes into account state and territory child protection legislation. It covers all children and young people under the age of 18 years.
The Framework applies to all staff, volunteers and supporters of The Smith Family. Supporters include sponsors, donors, mentors, corporate and community partners and VIEW club members engaged with programs and activities of The Smith Family.
The Framework is informed by The Smith Family's Commitment to Safeguarding Children andYoung People from Abuse and Neglect.
Risk Management
This Framework adopts a risk management approach to safeguarding children and young people. Our staff will be supported to identify, assess and control risk of harm to children in all areas of operations. We will ensure that risk controls are understood, put in place and regularly updated.
Working with Other Agencies
The Smith Family works with and through a wide range of government, corporate and not for profit agencies. Our staff will ensure that they are conversant with the policies of other organisations. Any inconsistencies in approach will be raised and discussed as relevant.
Code of Conduct
The Smith Family's Child Safety Code of Conduct sets out expectations of staff, both paid and unpaid, regarding their conduct behaviour and responsibilities as staff of The Smith Family to Safeguard Children and Young People from Abuse and Neglect.
* The term "child/children" is used at times to keep language as simple as possible; in all cases the document encompasses children and young people under the age of 18 years.