National Child Protection Week has begun and events will be held across the country to engage communities in supporting families to protect children.

All children deserve to be heard and to feel safe. National Child Protection Week is a time to reflect on the role we can all play in ensuring children feel safe and have a sense of well-being. Families, friendship groups, communities can support one another to promote the safety and wellbeing of Australian children.

The National Office for Child Safety (NOCS) works across government to deliver policies and strategies to enhance children’s safety.

A recent initiative of the NOCS is the Complaint Handling Guide: Upholding the rights of children and young people. The Guide has been informed by the findings from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse which highlighted the systemic failings of institutions and organisations in dealing with complaints of child sexual abuse.

The Guide was released to help institutions and organisations implement complaint handling systems that prioritise child safety while engaging with young children to ensure they have a voice in the decisions which affect them.

In addition to the Guide, The Commonwealth Child Safety Framework has recently been published. The Framework sets minimum standards for creating and embedding child safe culture and practices across Commonwealth entities. A range of materials were published along with the Framework to guide and support Commonwealth entities in meeting their obligations.

All children deserve to have their voice heard and to feel protected. Help play your part and get involved during National Child Protection Week.

Further information on these, and other initiatives of the National Office can be found here