Organisational Statement and Purpose
Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA) aims to improve the rights, safety and well-being of everyone that it represents. As a nationwide organisation operating across all Australian states and territories, as well as internationally, WWDA will at times be required to work with child and young people under 18 years of age.
WWDA is committed to promoting and protecting the interests and safety of children and young people involved in our work at all times. WWDA has zero tolerance for child abuse, exploitation and neglect.
This policy is intended to provide guidance and direction to WWDA and its employees regarding safety, protection and wellbeing of children and young people. Everyone working or volunteering for WWDA is responsible for the care and protection of children and reporting information about child abuse.
The purpose of this policy is:
- To promote child safety and well-being through implementation of the ten National Principles for Child Safe Organisations;
- To prevent all forms of child abuse, exploitation and neglect;
- To create an organisational culture that promotes safety and respect of children and young people;
- To ensure that all parties are aware of their responsibilities for identifying possible occasions for child abuse and for establishing controls and procedures for preventing such abuse and/or detecting such abuse when it occurs;
- To provide guidance to WWDA Committee members, staff, volunteers and contractors as to action that should be taken where they suspect any abuse within or related to the organisation; and
- To provide assurance that any and all suspected abuse will be reported and acted upon.
Scope
This policy applies to all WWDA personnel, which includes Members of the WWDA Committee of Management, employees, consultants, staff, volunteers and contractors while carrying out work for WWDA.
WWDA is committed to ensuring that all of its personnel adhere to this policy and asserts the need to act on all reported or suspected incidents of child abuse and adhering to a strict code of conduct.
This policy applies to all activities and environments within the organisation which involve, result in or relate to contact with children.
Responsibilities
Child safety is everyone’s responsibility.
All WWDA personnel are responsible for:
- understanding and complying with this policy;
- reporting any breaches of this policy; and
- promoting and providing an environment that is supportive of children’s safety.
It is the responsibility of the CEO of WWDA to ensure that all staff are aware of this policy. Any breach of this policy will be managed in accordance with HR policies and procedures.
The WWDA Committee of Management has ultimate responsibility for the detection and prevention of child abuse and is responsible for ensuring that appropriate and effective internal control systems are in place. The Committee is also responsible for ensuring that appropriate policies and procedures and a Child Safety Code of Conduct are in place.
The CEO of WWDA is responsible for:
- dealing with and investigating reports of child abuse;
- ensuring that all staff, contractors, and volunteers are aware of relevant laws, organisational policies and procedures;
- ensuring that all staff, contractors, and volunteers have a current and valid Working with Children Check or equivalent certification;
- providing support for staff, contractors and volunteers in undertaking their child protection responsibilities.
All managers must ensure that they:
- promote child safety at all times;
- are familiar with the types of abuse that might occur within their area of responsibility;
- assess the risk of child abuse within their area of control and eradicate or minimise any risk to the extent possible;
- educate employees about the prevention and detection of child abuse; and
- facilitate the reporting of any inappropriate behaviour or suspected abusive activities.
The Office Manager must ensure that:
- all staff have a current Working With Vulnerable People, Working with Children or equivalent card/check; and
- all documentation associated with staff Working With Vulnerable People, Working with Children or equivalent cards is stored securely by WWDA.
Screening and background checking
When recruiting new WWDA personnel, WWDA employs a recruitment and screening process to ensure that its culture of child safety is retained.
WWDA requires all of its personnel who have any interaction with children as part of their work with WWDA to have a Working with Children Check or equivalent certification.
WWDA may require its personnel to provide a police check in accordance with the law and as appropriate, before they commence work and during their time with WWDA at regular intervals.
Training
WWDA personnel participating in activities which involve children must be trained in child safety and fully understand their obligations to protect children when carrying out the activity. This includes relevant reporting obligations and an understanding of the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations.
Reporting, Investigation and Response Process
Any member of WWDA personnel who has grounds to suspect abusive activity or harm or risk of harm to children and young people, must immediately notify their manager, who must notify the appropriate child protection service or the police.
In situations where a manager is suspected of involvement in the activity, or if the person having the suspicion does not believe that the matter is being appropriately addressed or dealt with, the matter should be reported to the next highest level of supervision.
Managers must report complaints of suspected abusive behaviour, misconduct, or harm to children and young people, to the CEO and to relevant external regulatory bodies such as the police.
If an investigation is required, all WWDA personnel must co-operate fully with the investigation.
Whether or not the relevant authority or regulatory body decides to conduct an investigation, the WWDA CEO will consult with the authorities to determine whether an internal investigation is appropriate. If it is decided that such an investigation will not conflict with any proceeding of the authorities, the CEO may decide to conduct such an investigation.
The CEO will make every effort to keep any such investigation confidential in accordance with WWDA’s Privacy Policy. However, from time-to-time other members of staff may need to be consulted in conjunction with the investigation.
If it is alleged that a member of WWDA personnel may have committed an offence or have breached the organisation’s policies, the person concerned may be stood down while an investigation is conducted.
If the investigation concludes that an offence or a breach of the organisation’s policies has occurred then disciplinary action may follow, up to and including dismissal or cessation of involvement with the organisation. The findings of the investigation will also be reported to any external body as required.
Child safety risk assessments
Where a WWDA activity involves potential contact with children, impacts on children, or working with children, a child safety risk assessment should be undertaken and documented prior to the commencement of the activity.
Where the activity continues for greater than 12 months, it should be reviewed annually to:
- identify the level of responsibility for work and contact with children;
- identify and evaluate the level of risk of harm or abuse to children;
- develop and implement an appropriate management strategy to prevent identified risks to children; and
- identify when a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) or other form of background check is required for individuals participating.
Empowerment and participation of children
WWDA believes the empowerment and participation of children is important and achieves this by:
- Creating a Platform: WWDA recognises the importance of amplifying the voices of young women and girls with disabilities, and maintains platforms for children and young people to express their needs, concerns, and aspirations.
- Providing Information and Resources: WWDA aims to ensure that children and young people have access to information and resources relevant to their lives, rights, and opportunities in accessible formats.
- Leadership Development: WWDA aims to equip young people with the confidence, skills, and knowledge needed to become effective leaders in their communities.
- Advocacy and Representation: WWDA seeks to ensure that the voices of children and young people with disabilities are heard and represented in decision-making processes at local, national, and international levels. By advocating for their rights and needs, WWDA empowers children and young people to actively participate in shaping policies and practices that affect their lives.
- National Voice: The WWDA Youth Network serves as a national voice for young people with disabilities. By working collaboratively with WWDA and other stakeholders, the network strengthens its advocacy efforts and enhances its ability to drive positive change for women and girls with disabilities across Australia.
Equity and respect for diversity
WWDA believes that children and young people, regardless of their gender, race, culture, religious beliefs, age, disability, sexual orientation, or family or social background, have a right to be free from all forms of violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect. WWDA actively strives to meet the diverse needs of its members through provision of accessible, trauma-informed and culturally sensitive resources, events and practices.
Family and community engagement
WWDA engages families and the community in promoting the safety of children and young people through the website and advertising efforts, fostering a sense of connection, support, and collaboration among all involved. WWDA does this by:
- Website: WWDA’s website is designed to be friendly and accessible to all members, including young people and their families. The layout is intuitive, with clear navigation and easily readable fonts with sections dedicated to support networks and community events.
- Informational Content: WWDA provides resources covering topics such as human rights, self- advocacy, healthcare, education, and community support services.
- Events: WWDA provides a calendar of events and activities relevant to young people, families and the community.
- Social Media Campaigns: WWDA uses social media platforms and email newsletters to reach a wider audience and encourage engagement.
- Feedback Mechanisms: WWDA encourages feedback and provides reporting mechanisms on the website for young people and their families and communities to report safety concerns or incidents.
Review of this Policy
This policy is subject to change at any time without prior notice. WWDA reserves the right to revise, amend, or update the policy as deemed necessary to reflect changes in legislation, regulations, organisational priorities, or best practices.
Definitions
Child means a person below the age of 18 years.
Child protection means any responsibility, measure or activity undertaken to safeguard children from harm.
Child abuse means all forms of physical abuse, emotional ill-treatment, sexual abuse and exploitation, neglect or negligent treatment, commercial (e.g. for financial gain) or other exploitation of a child and includes any actions that results in actual or potential harm to a child.
Child sexual assault is any act which exposes a child to, or involves a child in, sexual processes beyond his or her understanding or contrary to accepted community standards. Sexually abusive behaviours can include the fondling of genitals, masturbation, oral sex, vaginal or anal penetration by a penis, finger or any other object, fondling of breasts, voyeurism, exhibitionism, and exposing the child to or involving the child in pornography. It includes child grooming, which refers to actions deliberately undertaken with the aim of befriending and establishing an emotional connection with a child to lower the child’s inhibitions in preparation for sexual activity with the child.
Reasonable grounds for belief is a belief based on reasonable grounds that child abuse has occurred when all known considerations or facts relevant to the formation of a belief are taken into account and these are objectively assessed. Circumstances or considerations may include the source of the allegation and how it was communicated, the nature of and details of the allegation, and whether there are any other related matters known regarding the alleged perpetrator.
Related Internal or External Documents
- WWDA Code of Conduct
- WWDA Child Safety Code of Conduct
- WWDA Child Protection Complaints Policy
- WWDA Risk Assessment Framework
- WWDA Staff Handbook
Relevant Standards & Legislation
The National Principles are:
- Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture.
- Children and young people are informed about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.
- Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.
- Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice.
- People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice.
- Processes to respond to complaints and concerns are child focused.
- Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training.
- Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed.
- Implementation of the national child safe principles is regularly reviewed and improved.
- Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people.
Version: 3 ID: HR-POL-001
Date of issue: April 2024 Review Date: April 2025
The electronic version within Employment Hero of this document is the approved and most current. Any printed version is uncontrolled and may not be current.