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Overview of Standard 2
Minimum requirements
In complying with Child Safe Standard 2 an organisation must, at a minimum, ensure:
2.1 The organisation makes a public commitment to child safety.
2.2 A child safe culture is championed and modelled at all levels of the organisation from the top down and bottom up.
2.3 Governance arrangements facilitate implementation of the Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy at all levels.
2.4 A Code of Conduct provides guidelines for staff and volunteers on expected behavioural standards and responsibilities.
2.5 Risk management strategies focus on preventing, identifying and mitigating risks to children and young people.
2.6 Staff and volunteers understand their obligations on information sharing and record keeping.
Compliance indicators
What will the Commission look for when assessing this Standard?
Organisations will generally comply if they produce these documents and undertake these actions in a way that supports the organisation to achieve this Standard. The nature or characteristics of your organisation may mean you need to do something different to what is proposed below. Read our guidance materials for more information.
Documents
- A public commitment to child safety is available and displayed for public access. (2.1)
- The Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy sets out the organisation’s expectations and practices in relation to each of the Standards. (2.3)
- A Code of Conduct sets out expectations regarding behaviour of staff and volunteers with children and in promoting and maintaining child safety and wellbeing. (2.4)
Actions
- Leaders, staff, volunteers, members and children in the organisation champion and model a child safe culture. They express support for keeping children safe, take action when they have concerns about children’s safety and prioritise the safety of children as part of everyday practice. (2.2)
- Leaders set clear expectations around child safety and ensure the Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy is implemented by staff and volunteers. (2.3)
- Leaders promote a culture of reporting. (2.2, 2.3)
- Governance arrangements mean senior leaders regularly review the organisation’s performance in delivering child safety and wellbeing. (2.3 and links to 10.1)
- Governance arrangements mean senior leaders supervise whether risk assessment and management in the organisation is properly focused on identifying, preventing and reducing risks of child abuse and harm. (2.5 and links to 9.1, 9.3)
- Staff and volunteers understand their information sharing and record keeping obligations. (2.6)
- The Code of Conduct is communicated to all staff and volunteers and leaders hold them to account to comply with it. (2.4)
Learn more about Standard 2
Our Guide for creating a Child Safe Organisation has detailed information and advice on how to comply with each Standard. This guide is helpful for people who are responsible for implementing the Child Safe Standards:
If you’re looking for an overview of all the Standards and requirements, download the Short Guide to the Child Safe Standards. This guide is useful for people who are just getting started with the Standards, or people who have oversight of the Standards in their organisation.
The Commission also has a range of tools and templates to help organisations develop key policies, practices and procedures including: