Council leads by example in child safety
Published on 29 February 2024
Council leads by example in child safety
Temora Shire Council is committed to being a child safe organisation that values the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people in our community. The Child Safe Policy and Code of Conduct will support a culture that creates, maintains, and improves child safe practices across all areas of Council’s operation and ensures adherence to the NSW Child Safe Standards.
Council’s commitment to child safety upholds a zero tolerance of child abuse. Council will promote and support the safety, welfare and wellbeing of children and young people where abuse is prevented, responded to and reported.
“The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse identified thousands of cases where organisations in Australia failed to protect children in their care from abuse. A child safe culture is a set of values and practices that guide the attitudes and behaviours of all Councillors and Council staff,” said Mayor Rick Firman.
A child safe organisation is defined as one that systematically:
- Creates conditions to reduce the likelihood of children being harmed.
- Creates conditions that increase the likelihood of identifying and reporting harm.
- Responds appropriately to disclosures, allegations and suspicions of harm.
"The best interests of our children and their protection from harm is paramount, not only in Council operations, but in our shire’s community. Abuse will is not be tolerated and must not happen to our children,” demanded Mayor Firman.
In accordance with the Child Safe Standards, Council has re-drafted Child Protection Policy. The Child Safe Policy will provide strategic and operational direction to councillors, council staff, volunteers and other stakeholders engaged to deliver council services.
“We need to make sure our children’s rights and responsibilities are understood and respected, and I am very proud that Council will lead by example in this space.” Mayor Firman concluded.
The Policy will be on public exhibition(PDF, 210KB) for 28 days, if no submissions are received it will be endorsed by Council. View the draft policy on temora.nsw.gov.au until 8 March.