National Principles for Child Safe Organisations

The National Principles for Child Safe Organisations (National Principles) give effect to recommendations of the Royal Commission relating to the child safe standards and provide guidance on key actions and performance measures in implementing the standards. They provide a nationally consistent approach to cultivating organisational cultures and practices that foster child safety and wellbeing across all sectors in Australia.

The National Principles were endorsed by members of the Council of Australian Governments, the Prime Minister and state and territory First Ministers, in February 2019.

The National Office is leading national coordination and implementation of the National Principles, working with, states and territory governments, and non-government sectors to make organisations across Australia safe for children.

All governments are responsible for implementing the National Principles and determining compliance arrangements in their respective jurisdictions. The National Office continues to work with all governments and the non-government sector to promote and support the implementation of the National Principles and a nationally consistent approach to child safe organisations.

Resources

The National Office is working with a number of organisations to coordinate the development of a range of national resources and practical tools to inform organisations, children and parents and carers about the National Principles and support implementation across all sectors. This includes developing resources in collaboration with state and territory governments.

The National Principles

The National Principles for Child Safe Organisations and a National Principles for Child Safe Organisations poster are available for download.

Child Safe Organisations Resources

The following resources have been developed by the Office of the National Children’s Commissioner and can be accessed on the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Child Safe Organisations website:

• Introductory Self-Assessment Tool for Organisations
• Guide for Parents and Carers
• Example Code of Conduct
• Charter of Commitment
• Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy template
• Checklist for Online Safety (developed in partnership with the Office of the eSafety Commissioner).

Additional free online training modules on each of the Principles will be available in the coming months.

Complaint Handling Guide

Guidance for organisations engaging with children on how to deatl with complaints made by, or on behalf of, chidlren will shortly be available. The Complaint Handling Guide: Upholding the rights of children and young people, is being developed by the Office of the NSW Ombudsman through a national consultation process and will be available in the coming months. The Guide will support organisations, and their staff and volunteers, to understand and implement effective child focused complaint handling systems in their sectors and communities.

Translated Resources

The National Principles, Guide for Parents and Carers and Introductory Self-Assessment Tool for Organisations are available in 10 additional languages.