We are committed to being a child safe organisation and ensuring that all children and young people who use our services and facilities are safe and protected.
The safety and wellbeing of children and young people is everyone’s responsibility. Every child and young person has the right to feel safe and we all have a shared responsibility to protect them from harm and abuse.
We have zero tolerance for abuse, harm, and neglect towards children and young people.
Our Child Safe Policy
We are legislated to have a Child Safe Policy that outlines how we are complying with Child Safe Standards. Our updated policy was adopted by Council in December 2023.
We are committed to child safety and to children's best interests. We will meet these commitments by:
- demonstrating through leadership, actions, policies, procedures, and documentation that The Principles of being a Child Safe Organisation are embedded into everyday practice and thinking;
- promoting cultural safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds;
- providing a safe, accessible, and welcoming environment for children with a disability and their families;
- having zero tolerance for child abuse and taking all allegations of reportable conduct and safety concerns very seriously;
- upholding the rights of all children who come into contact with us to ensure they feel safe and protected;
- promoting LGBTIQA+ inclusion through various programs and policies; and
- ensuring that systems are in place to anticipate risks, document incidents, and identify appropriate responses consistently and in line with policy and procedure.
Our child safe responsibilities
We are committed to creating an inclusive, safe, and connected community for all children and young people that complies with all 11 Victorian Child Safe Standards.
The Standards were established in 2016, with further changes coming into force in July 2022 to make the Standards even stronger.
The Child Safe Standards aim to:
- Promote the safety of children and young people.
- Prevent child abuse.
- Ensure organisations have effective processes in place to respond to and report allegations of child abuse.
- Encourage children and young people to have a say, especially on issues that are important to them or about decisions that affect their lives.
How to report a child safe concern or complaint
The safety of children and young people is everyone’s responsibility.
If the immediate safety of a child or young person is compromised, or they are in immediate risk of danger or harm, please call Victoria Police on 000.
For any other child safety concerns, contact Child Protection on:
- 1300 360 452 during business hours
- 131 278 after hours
Concerns about conduct at Alpine Shire Council
If you have concerns about conduct involving a child or young person by an Alpine Shire Council employee, volunteer, Councillor, contractor, or anyone working in a Council facility or on behalf of our organisation, please report the incident using the Child Safety Incident Reporting Form.
You can also report your concerns about the conduct of any workforce member to the Commission for Children and Young People by:
- Completing their online reportable allegation form
- Calling 1300 78 29 78
- Emailing contact@ccyp.vic.gov.au
Child safe resources
Support is available for children and young people
Kids Helpline | Kids Helpline is Australia’s only free (even from a mobile), confidential 24/7 online and phone counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25. They can be contacted for any reason by online chat, phone, or email.
- Call 1800 55 1800 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Support for parents and carers
As a parent or career, you are frequently choosing activities, services or programs for your children to attend and be involved with.
The following resources can help you to be informed about what makes a welcome and safe activity or service, and to learn more about keeping children safe:
- Commission for Children and Young People | Resources and support for parents and carers, including what to look for in a child safe organisation, child safe standards, and a babysitter checklist.
- Raising Children Network | Online parenting resource, funded by the Australian Government, reviewed by experts and non-commercial. It includes information for parents and carers on a large number of topics grouped by ages and stages.