Child Safe Environments training

The Department of Human Services has developed training for organisations with staff and volunteers that provide services to children and young people. The training helps organisations to:

• support their staff and volunteers to recognise, report and respond to children or young people who may be at risk of harm, and
• build their capacity to provide safe environments within the organisation.

It is recommended that organisations requiring staff and volunteers to work with children and young people attend training to understand their mandatory notification obligations. This in in line with the National Principles for Child Safe organisations.

People working in schools, early childhood services or Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) may be required to take the Department of Education Responding to Risks of Harm, Abuse and Neglect - Education and Care training (RRHAN-EC). This may be in place of the Safe Environments training, or in addition to it.

If you are not sure which training is for you, speak to your organisation.

About Safe Environments training

Safe environments training helps organisations to:

• support their staff and volunteers to recognise, report and respond to children or young people who may be at risk of harm, and
• build their capacity to provide child safe environments.

Topics include:

• child protection in context, values and attitudes
• legislative obligations when working with children and young people (including screening obligations)
• risk and harm — abuse-related trauma
• sexual abuse and online grooming
• responding to disclosures
• child safe environments in organisations
• reporting a reasonable belief of risk and harm.

Safe environments training supports participants to understand types of risk of harm to children and young people, including:

• neglect
• psychological/emotional harm
• domestic violence
• sexual abuse, and
• physical abuse.

If you are concerned about attending this program, please speak to the facilitator before attending the course to discuss your options.

Where can I book in for training?

The department has endorsed several providers to deliver Safe Environments training. Some organisations offer live online training. There is a cost to attend training.

List of approved public providers that deliver training.

COVID-19 safety while training

Facilitators are Covid-19-aware. Alternative options to face-to-face training may be available. Speak with them about your options.

Safe Environment training quality

Facilitators on the provider list have been trained by the department's Child Safe Environments Program.

It is important that the integrity and quality of the delivery of the Safe Environments training is protected. If you have any concerns regarding the quality of a Safe Environments facilitator, please email the Child safe Environments Program.

More information

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