Child Safe Initiatives

Young girls play joyfully on wooden beams in a sunny park

National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect

2024 theme; Stronger Communities, Safer Children

National Child Protection Week is coordinated by NAPCAN every September with the message that protecting children is everyone’s business. This year’s theme, “Stronger Communities, Safer Children”, emphasises that communities matter to children, and asks all Australians to play their part to help protect children and support families within their communities.

Each year Council promotes NAPCAN’s key themes

NAPCAN

National Redress Scheme

The National Redress Scheme commenced on 1 July 2018, in response to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. The Royal Commission listened to thousands of survivors detail the abuse they experienced as children while in the care of an institution. The abuse happened in institutions such as orphanages, children’s homes, schools, churches, sports clubs, hospitals, and foster care.

Applications for National Redress Scheme can be made from 1 July 2018.

You can choose to apply if you:

  • experienced institutional child sexual abuse before 1 July 2018, and
  • are aged over 18 or will turn 18 before 30 June 2028, and
  • apply between 1 July 2018 and 30 June 2027, and
  • are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, unless an exception applies to you as a former child migrant

How to Apply

One Talk at a Time

Conversations with the people around us have the power to prevent child sexual abuse. Let’s end child sexual abuse, one talk at a time.

Online Safety

Council assesses online safety risks and has risk management strategies in place to keep children safe in online environments. For more information please access;

  • E-Safety Commissioner: Find the latest information to help you manage online safety issues.
  • ThinkUKnow Australia: is an evidence-based education program led by the Australian Federal Police (AFP), delivered nationally in partnership with police and industry partners to prevent online child sexual exploitation.

Information for Hirers/Lessees

Contracted Service Providers

When engaging Contracted Service Providers, Council will maintain procurement practices which meet the requirements of the Child Safe Standards. This is an organisation-wide objective to ensure that the work, services, systems and infrastructure provided by Council considers the safety, wellbeing and participation of Children.

Hire agreement statement

Council supports the rights of Children and Young People and is committed to their care and protection. Council believes that the safety and wellbeing of Children and Young People is everybody’s business. Council requires all hirers to comply with Child Safety Law requirements, including around child protection, reportable conduct, Children’s employment and working with Children.

Please refer to the Child Safe Policy and localised procedures when engaging with Councils facilities and services.

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