CHILD & YOUTH RISK MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

ESTHERS Australia Ltd. Child and Youth Risk Management Strategy has been developed in compliance with the obligations under the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000 and the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Regulation 2011 to promote and protect children and young people.

ESTHERS Australia will review this strategy annually to ensure it reflects current legislative requirements.

 STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT

ESTHERS believes that the welfare and best interests of a child are paramount and is committed to act in ways that will ensure the safety and well-being of all children and young people whom we may come into contact with in the course of our work with women. We demonstrate this through strict adherence to our Code of Conduct and our unwavering commitment to providing safe and supportive service environments.

Our framework for practice is guided by a strength-based framework, which embraces social justice values.

In order to support this commitment, we are dedicated to this Child and Youth Risk Management Strategy and relevant policies and procedures which are in place to effectively address the safety and wellbeing of children and young People who we come into contact with throughout the course of our work.

All employees, volunteers, students, contractors and Board directors must comply with this strategy and the processes as outlined in this strategy at all times.

CODE OF CONDUCT

ESTHERS Australia Ltd. has developed a compulsory Code of Conduct for all staff, volunteers and Board Directors to sign at commencement of employment/placement. There is also a Child Protection Policy to provide further guidance for all employees.

RECRUITMENT, SELECTION, TRAINING AND MANAGEMENT OF STAFF

ESTHERS ensures that only appropriately qualified and suitable individuals are employed (including students and volunteers). These processes and the overseeing of mandatory training requirements are monitored by the ESTHERS Australia Ltd CEO and senior staff.

ESTHERS Australia Ltd. outlines specific processes in the following documents. However, this list is not exhaustive and all staff, volunteers, contractors and students on placement are expected to read through all EAL policies and procedures.

  • Codes of Conduct Policy

  • Recruitment, Selection & Screening Policy

  • Training and Professional Development Policy

  • Performance Review and Learning Plan

  • ESTHERS Australia Training Manual

  • Induction checklist

  • Suspension from Active Duty Policy and Procedures

HANDLING DISCLOSURES OR SUSPICIOUS OF HARM OF CHILDREN

ESTHERS has clear processes in place for staff included in the following documents:

  • Child Protection Policy

  • Family & Domestic Violence Policy

  • Incident Reporting Policy and Procedure

  • Employee and Volunteer Training Manual

MANAGING BREACHES OF RISK MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

ESTHERS takes seriously any breach of the Child and Youth Risk Management Strategy. There are multiple avenues of reporting and managing a breach in this strategy depending on the nature of the breach. Employees, Volunteers, Board Directors, Service Users and stakeholders should raise their concerns with senior staff at ESTHERS who will guide them through the relevant process:

  • Grievance Management Policy

  • Incident Reporting Policy and Procedure

  • Suspension from Active Duty Policy and Procedure

COMPLIANCE WITH BLUE CARD SYSTEM

ESTHERS has a Personal Criminal History Checks Policy and Procedure which outlines the process to ensure all suitable staff/volunteers have and maintain a current Blue Card.

HIGH RISK ACTIVITIES AND SPECIAL EVENTS

ESTHERS has a Risk Management Policy and Procedure, Risk Register Template and a Risk Management Plan for High Risk Activity Template that is followed as required.

STRATEGIES FOR COMMUNICATION AND SUPPORT

All clients/community members will receive information when they start engaging services from ESTHERS and will be notified that this strategy is also available publicly on ESTHERS website.

ESTHERS staff, volunteers, students, contractors and Board Directors are provided with information upon their induction and offered support around identifying risks of harm and how to handle disclosures or suspicions of harm. ESTHERS will also provide any extra or ongoing support as required.

RELEVANT LEGISLATION:

 RELEVANT DOCUMENTS:

  ESTHERS Mission, Vision and Values Statements

ESTHERS Codes of Conduct

ESTHERS Recruitment, Employment & Screening Policy

ESTHERS Incident Reporting Policy and Procedure

ESTHERS Risk Management Policy

ESTHERS Risk Management Plan for High Risk Activity

Child and Youth Risk Management Strategy Toolkit https://www.bluecard.qld.gov.au/pdf/rmst/201610Child-and-youth-risk-management-strategy-toolkit.pdf

National Principles for Child Safe Organisations https://www.humanrights.gov.au/sites/default/files/National%20Principles%20for%20Child%20Safe%20Organisations.pdf

Effective from: 25/04/2020

Reviewed 24/04/2022

Review Date: April 2023

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