WHO WE ARE

Our child safety policy

WIZO Victoria – Child Safety Policy Summary

RATIFIED JULY 2020 TO BE REVIEWED 2023

The Chld Safety policy includes:

Child Safety Procedures
Policy of Reporting
Child Safety Code of Conduct
Risk Management form
Incident Occurrence form including Appendix 1 and Appendix 2

Definition of WIZO Victoria: refers to President, Office Bearers, Executive, members and volunteers.

Definition of child: a child or a young person under the age of 18 years.

References:
Victoria – Children, Youth and Families Act 2005
Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005

In Australia, statutory child protection is the responsibility of all state and territory governments. State departments are responsible for child protection (21 February 2019).

RATIONALE:

WIZO Victoria is committed to the safety, participation and empowerment of children and youth.

PURPOSE:

To demonstrate the strong commitment WIZO Victoria has to the safety and wellbeing of all children and youth.

AIM:

To provide a guide for WIZO Victoria to keep children and youth safe from harm, including all forms of abuse, in our environment, including online, and in all locations where activities are organised and children are present.

IMPLEMENTATION:
  1. WIZO Victoria is trained in the State Legislation pertaining to mandatory reporting and disclosure with updated training occurring every 2 to 3 years.
  2. All WIZO staff and volunteers must have a current Working with Children Certificate (WWCC). A copy is kept on file in the WIZO office.
  3. All volunteers, including parents, require a current WWCC, in order to be present at a WIZOchild/teen activity.
  4. Prior to any WIZO Victoria event, where children may be present, a Risk Management form is to be completed by the event organiser and submitted to the WIZO Victoria state president or nominated proxy.
  5. If an incident occurs, the WIZO Victoria procedures are to be followed and documentation regarding the incident is to be forwarded by the WIZO Victoria President to the WIZO Australia President (Appendix 1).
  6. All WIZO Victoria staff and volunteers must read and sign the Child Safety Code of Conduct (Appendix 2) and a record kept on file in the WIZO Victoria office.
  7. Establish a budget for training in mandatory reporting for WIZO Victoria staff and volunteers.
  8. Review the Policy and Procedures Manual every 3 years, to reflect changes in Victoria’s Legislation pertaining to mandatory reporting and disclosure.
EVALUATION:

WIZO Victoria will:

  1. Annually ensure that staff and volunteers working with children have a current Working with Children Certificate (WWCC).
  2. Annually check that all documentation regarding any incident has been forwarded by the WIZO Victoria state president or nominated proxy to the WIZO Australia President (Appendix 1) and copies are retained on file in the WIZO Victoria office.
  3. Annually check that all WIZO Victoria staff and volunteers working with children and youth have read and signed the Child Safety Code of Conduct (Appendix 2) and names are kept on file in the WIZO Victoria office.
  4. Annually review the WIZO Victoria Child and Youth Risk Management Plan to facilitate improved strategies for WIZO child/teen activities.
  5. Review the budget regarding mandatory reporting, for future training of staff and volunteers.
  6. Establish a committee to review that all procedures and policies have been correctly followed, should an incident occur.