Families and Children

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Child Safety

Kiama Council acknowledges the significant and lasting impact that abuse can have on children and young people.

Council plays a role in the prevention of abuse and contributes to the safety and wellbeing of the children and young people that use Council’s various services and facilities.

We are committed to embedding child-safe practices on the journey to becoming a child safe organisation and doing our part to mitigate risk to our Municipality’s youngest citizens.

To do this, Council  consulted with our community and the Office of The Childrens Guardian,  endorsed a Child Safe Policy, developed Behavioural Standards that apply to all employees, councillors, contractors and volunteers, and provided training or awareness across council.

Our child facing facilities  are now reviewing their existing service procedures and practices against the standards to ensure safety of users, staff and service providers.

We have reviewed our recruitment screening practices and are updating Council’s Business Statement of Ethics and Complaints Handling Procedure to demonstrate that we are a Child Safe organisation.

What is child abuse and neglect?

Child abuse and neglect can be classified in many different forms including physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, emotional abuse and psychological harm.

For a detailed reference on this topic, please refer to the Child at Risk of Harm and Neglect information on the Department of Communities and Justice website.

If you need help now

If you need help, assistance or urgent support, call one of the following crisis services:

Council's child protection framework

Making a complaint involving my child

Kiama Council takes complaints and allegations involving children and young people seriously. Where appropriate, complaints and concerns can be made directly to the service that your child/ren is involved in or you can email us at council@kiama.nsw.gov.au.

What is a Child Protection Allegation?

A suspected or confirmed concern or complaint involving a Council staff member or Council representative and children or young people (under 18 years of age). This is where the child or young person’s care, safety or protection may have been compromised as a result.

Child Safe Standards

The Child Safe Standards are one of a number of recommendations made by the Royal Commission into Institutional Child Sexual Abuse. They provide a benchmark by which organisations can assess their child safe capability. The standards provide guidance for organisations to create cultures, adopt strategies and act to put the interests of children first whilst keeping them safe from harm.

Kiama Council is working towards becoming a Child Safe Organisation through the implementation of the 10 Child Safe Standards.