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Our commitment to Child Safety

Capability Support provides support to Children and Young People, and has zero tolerance for abuse or neglect, and is committed to providing safe and therapeutic environments for Children and Young People. 

Policy Number CAP056
Version
1.0
Created By
Managing Director
Approved By
Board of Directors
Review Date
29/12/2023

1. Purpose of Policy/Procedure:

Capital Capability Support (Capability) is a provider of services to people living in the community.  Capability provides support to Children and Young People. Capability is committed to ensuring the safety of Children and Young People supported by our staff. 

2. Scope of Policy/Procedure

This policy applies to:

  • All Capability Employees
  • All Stakeholders & Clients
  • All Directors of Cap Support Pty Ltd
  • All Children and Young People supported by Capability.

3. Overview of Policy

  • Capability is committed to Child Safety and development.
  • Capability has high expectations of Directors and Staff Members to keep Children safe, and, has robust policies and procedures in place to support this.
  • Capability has reporting requirements in line with legislation, in relation to child abuse and neglect.
  • This Policy describes the sorts of information we collect and hold, and for what purpose.

4. Statement of Commitment to Child Safety

Capability Support is committed to the safety of all Children and Young People.

Capability Support is committed to upholding the National Principles of Child Safe Organisations.

Capability is committed to ensuring that children are safe, happy, and empowered.

We support and respect all children, as well as our Staff Members.

We are committed to the safety, participation, and empowerment of all children.

We have zero tolerance of child abuse and neglect, and all allegations and safety concerns will be treated seriously and consistently with our robust policies and procedures.

We have legal and moral obligations to contact the relevant department when we are worried about a child’s safety, which we follow rigorously.

Capability is committed to preventing child abuse and neglect, identifying risks early and removing or reducing these risks.

Capability has robust human resources and recruitment practices to reduce the risk of child abuse by Staff Members.

Capability is committed to regularly training and educating our board members, Staff, and volunteers on risks of Child Abuse and Neglect. This includes mandatory training requirements for Staff.  

We are committed to the cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, the cultural safety of children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, and to providing a safe environment for children with a disability. As a registered NDIS Provider, this commitment extends to Children who are supported by Capability under the NDIS.

We have specific and comprehensive policies and procedures in place that support our Directors and Staff Members to achieve these commitments to Child Safety.

We ensure transparency with Children and Young People and allow them to be participants in their decision making.

Capability is committed to not only providing a safe environment for Children and Young People, but empowering, developing, and working therapeutically with Children and Young People.

5. Children and Young People

This policy is intended to empower children, who are supported by Capability. We involve them when making decisions, especially about matters that directly affect them. We listen to their views and respect what they have to say.

We promote diversity, inclusion and respect diversity of opinion, and people from all walks of life and cultural backgrounds are welcome. In particular, we:

  • Promote and support the cultural safety, participation and empowerment of Children and Young People that identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
  • Promote and support the cultural safety, participation, and empowerment of children from Culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds.
  • Promote the safety and participation of Children with a Disability.

6. Staff and Directors

This policy guides our staff and volunteers on how to ensure safety for Children and Young People.

All Staff and Directors must abide by our Code of Conduct (FSS) which specifies the standards of conduct required when working with Children and Young People. All Staff and Directors are given the opportunity to contribute to the code of conduct.

All Staff and Directors undertake robust probity checks prior to the commencement of their position.

7. Training, Supervision and Recruitment

Training and Supervision for Capability Staff members is vital to ensuring Child Safety.

Capability is dedicated to ensuring that Directors and Staff are able to undertake their role at the highest possible level and are undertaking ongoing development to minimise any Child Abuse, Safety Concerns, or allegations of abuse.

Capability provides training to all levels of staff members to identify, assess and minimise risks of Child Abuse or neglect.

Capability supports Directors and Staff Members with ongoing internal and external supervision to develop their skills to protect Children from abuse and neglect, and to promote the cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, and the safety of children from linguistically and/or diverse backgrounds, and the safety of Children with a Disability.

All Staff Members will be provided with Capability’s Commitment to Child Safety and understand that all staff members at all levels of the organisation have a role to play in protection children from abuse, neglect, and harm.

Capability’s Recruitment and Onboarding policy is robust to assist Capability to employ skilled and appropriate people to work with Children and Young People.

Selection criteria and advertisements clearly demonstrate our commitment to child safety and an awareness of our responsibilities as providers to Children and Young People.

We actively encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders people, people from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds and people with a disability.

All people who are engaged in work with Children and Young People are required to undertake robust probity checks, including appropriate police checks and clearances.

 

Hiring Managers undertake reference checks during the recruitment process. 

8. Reporting Requirements

For Reporting Requirements, including concerns about Child Safety and allegations of abuse or neglect,  please refer to CAP043 – Child Protection & Statutory Reporting.

9. Privacy

All personal information considered or recorded will be in respect of the privacy of the individuals involved and in accordance with Capability’s Privacy policy. Everyone is entitled to know how this information is recorded, what will be done with it and who will have access to it. This is intended to protect reports and to ensure that all Staff are comfortable to disclose any allegations or concerns in relation to Child Safety.

10. Review

This policy and commitment will be reviewed annually and following any significant incidents. We will ensure that families, Children and Young People have the opportunity to contribute. We will work with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, CALD communities and people with a disability to develop further review.

11. Linked Documents

CAP001 – Code of Conduct
CAP002 – Privacy Policy
CAP006 – Feedback and Complaints
CAP017 – Quality Management
CAP033 – Contact & Transport
CAP036 – Code of Conduct (FSS)
CAP041 – Investigations, Performance and Misconduct
CAP043 – Child Protection and Statutory Reporting
CAP053 – Working with First Nations People

References

Document Control

Date Version Revision Description
29/10/2023
1.0
Approved by Board of Directors

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