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Child Safety Policy

Our Commitment

Stand Out Youth is deeply committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people. We believe every child—regardless of gender, race, belief system, age, ability, sexuality, or social background—has an equal right to feel safe and be protected from harm.

We maintain a strict zero-tolerance policy towards any form of violence or abuse. Protecting children is a shared responsibility, and all staff, volunteers, and board members are responsible for the care, safety, and wellbeing of the young people they engage with.

This policy is guided by the Victorian Child Safe Standards 2022, as mandated by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH).
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Purpose of This Policy

This policy aims to:

  • Build and maintain a culture that prioritises child safety across all areas of Stand Out Youth. 
  • Clarify the responsibilities of all individuals in identifying, preventing, and responding to potential harm or abuse. 
  • Offer guidance to staff on how to act if they suspect harm to a young person—whether within the organisation or externally. 
  • Ensure that any suspected abuse or harm is taken seriously, reported, and thoroughly investigated. 

Key Definitions

  • Child: Any person under 18 years of age (unless legal adulthood is reached earlier under specific laws). 
  • Child Protection: Actions, measures, or responsibilities taken to prevent or respond to harm to children. 
  • Harm: Includes physical injury, emotional abuse, sexual assault or exploitation, neglect, or any act that places a child at risk. 
  • Child Sexual Abuse: Any sexual behaviour involving a child that is exploitative, inappropriate, or against accepted community standards. 
  • Grooming: Deliberate actions aimed at building emotional connections with a child to lower inhibitions and enable future abuse. 
  • Reasonable Grounds for Belief: A belief formed objectively based on observed behaviours, statements, or credible reports indicating a child is at risk or has been harmed. 

Examples of reasonable belief include:

  • A child discloses harm to themselves or someone else. 
  • A trusted adult reports that a child may be at risk. 
  • Observable signs (physical or behavioural) suggest abuse. 
  • A professional’s judgement indicates likely harm. 

Roles & Responsibilities

Board of Directors
 The Board is responsible for overseeing effective policies, procedures, and internal controls that prevent and detect harm.

CEO and Leadership Team
 Leaders are responsible for:

  • Managing reported incidents and supporting investigations. 
  • Ensuring staff understand relevant laws, policies, and the Code of Conduct. 
  • Promoting reporting obligations and child safety culture. 
  • Providing training and ongoing support. 
  • Leading internal investigations and liaising with external authorities where required. 

All Staff and Volunteers
 Each team member must:

  • Understand and comply with the law, Code of Conduct, and this policy. 
  • Immediately report any concerns about a child’s safety to a Manager or CEO. 
  • Maintain a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for young people. 

Application in Practice

Recruitment & Screening

Stand Out Youth follows robust hiring practices to ensure only appropriate individuals work with young people. All staff and relevant volunteers must:

  • Undergo reference and background checks. 
  • Complete a Working with Children Check (WWCC). 
  • Provide a current police check. 
  • Agree to abide by the organisation’s Code of Conduct. 

Risk Management

Child safety is integrated into Stand Out Youth’s broader risk management and planning processes.

Reporting Concerns

Any concern about a child’s safety must be reported immediately to a Manager or the CEO. They will assist in determining if a report needs to be made to external authorities (such as Victoria Police or child protection services).

Investigations

  • All staff must cooperate fully with investigations conducted by external authorities or internal leadership. 
  • Investigations will follow the principles of natural justice. 
  • Confidentiality will be maintained as much as possible, though some disclosure may be necessary. 
  • Legal advice may be sought where appropriate. 

Response Measures

If an allegation is made against a staff member:

  • They will be stood down (with pay) during the investigation. 
  • If allegations are substantiated, disciplinary action will be taken—this may include dismissal or termination of engagement. 
  • Findings will be reported to external bodies as required by the DFFH’s Critical Consumer Incident Reporting System (CIMS).
     See reporting portal 

Privacy

Personal information gathered during investigations or reports will be protected and handled with care. Disclosure will only occur where necessary to ensure someone’s safety or meet legal obligations.