Helping South Australian organisations keep children safe

The Screening Unit is reaching out to organisations across the state with a friendly reminder of the child safe essentials, along with free resources to help.

From sporting clubs and dance schools to childcare centres, churches and local businesses, thousands of South Australian organisations work with children and young people every day.

To support them, the Department of Human Services (DHS) Screening Unit is writing to more than 16,000 registered organisations with a refresher on their child safe obligations. The message is simple: keeping children safe is a shared responsibility, and help is available.

The three essentials

Under South Australian law, organisations that provide services to children and young people need three things in place:

• Child safe policies and procedures – these should reflect the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations, explain how to report concerns that a child may be at risk, and cover Working with Children Checks. They need to be reviewed at least every five years.
• A Child Safe Environments Compliance Statement – this confirms with DHS that policies are in place, and is lodged again whenever they're updated.
• Working with Children Checks – employees' and volunteers' checks must be verified through the DHS Screening Unit organisation portal, and organisations should register an interest in each person. Sighting a certificate is no longer enough.

The National Principles

The ten National Principles for Child Safe Organisations were endorsed by all Australian governments. They describe what it looks like when child safety is built into everyday practice. They cover leadership and culture, children's participation, family and community involvement, equity and diversity, suitable and supported staff, child focused complaints handling, ongoing training, safe physical and online environments, regular review, and clear policies and procedures.

Organisations don't need to tackle everything at once. Discussing one principle at a team or committee meeting is a practical first step.

Support is available

According to Martha Savva, Director & Registrar, Screening Unit, most organisations want to do the right thing.

“Many are already doing a great job. We want to make it as easy as possible for everyone to keep children safe, so please reach out if you need a hand." she said.

Free policy templates, a guide to writing a child safe policy, information on the National Principles and the online compliance statement form are all available on the Child Safe Environments page. Information for employers about Working with Children Checks is on SA.GOV.AU.

Peak bodies and sector leaders are also being invited to share the reminder with their members.

For questions, contact the Screening Unit by sending an email to DHS.ChildSafe@sa.gov.au.