Our commitment
Child Safety
Our commitment
Child Safety
Introduction to Child Safety
Peninsula Leisure has zero tolerance for child abuse or endangerment and is committed to the ongoing safety of all children and young people, recognising that children and young people have the right to feel safe and to always be safe. As a child safe organisation Peninsula Leisure will take deliberate steps to protect children and young people from physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, and exposure to family violence.
Our Commitment to Child Safety
Peninsula Leisure is committed to the safety of children and young people. PL will embed all relevant aspects of this policy into all the organisations operations, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and best practice.
All children and young people that engage in services, programs, events or facilities (including online environments) that are owned or managed by PL have the right to be heard and feel safe regardless of their, or their families’ age, gender, race, ability, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or social background. PL will encourage and support Aboriginal children and young people to express their culture and commit to creating culturally safe environments.
Peninsula Leisure empowers all employees, volunteers, board members and contractors to create and maintain a safe culture for children and young people.
Peninsula Leisure is committed to reducing the risks of abuse and harm to children and young people and will ensure all employees understand and adhere to this policy, Child Safe Standards, Reportable Conduct Scheme (if applicable), Child Safety and Wellbeing procedure and relevant legislation and statutory requirements. PL will treat all reports of child safety concerns seriously and will actively encourage children to raise issues.
Peninsula Leisure’s Responsibilities
The Reportable Conduct Scheme requires some organisations to respond to allegations of child abuse (and other child-related misconduct) made against their workers and volunteers. For more information about the Reportable Conduct Scheme visit the Commission for Children and Young People.
Mandatory Reporting Some professionals are required by law to report a reasonable belief of child physical or sexual abuse to child protection authorities. For more information on Mandatory Reporting visit the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing.
Peninsula Leisure’s Policy
Our commitment to protecting children is embedded in Peninsula Leisure’s culture, values, policies and procedures. Below you can view our full Child Safe and Wellbeing Policy. We also have a shorter, child friendly version available below.
See something, say something
Keeping children and young people safe is everyone’s business. Learn how and who to report to on our ‘How to Report’ tab, click here.
For more information on our responsibilities in keeping children safe contact childsafe@peninsulaleisure.com.au.
Victoria Child Safe Standards
The Victorian Child Safe Standards were introduced in 2017 in response to the Inquiry into the Handling of Child Abuse by Religious and other Non-Government Organisations and apply to organisations that provide services to children and young people. In 2022 new Standards were introduced to provide a more robust framework to assist organisations to keep children and young people safe. Below are the new standards:
Child Safe Standard 1 – Organisations establish a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children and young people are respected and valued
Child Safe Standard 2 – Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture
Child Safe Standard 3 – Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously
Child Safe Standard 4 – Families and communities are informed, and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing
Child Safe Standard 5 – Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice
Child Safe Standard 6 – People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice
Child Safe Standard 7 – Processes for complaints and concerns are child focused
Child Safe Standard 8 – Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training
Child Safe Standard 9 – Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed
Child Safe Standard 10 – Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved
Child Safe Standard 11 – Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people
For more information on the Child Safe Standards visit the Commission for Children and Young People.
Support resources for families, parents and carers
1800RESPECT (1800 737 732)
24-hour national counselling line for anyone who is experiencing or is supporting someone experiencing, family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault.
13YARN (13 92 76)
13YARN is an Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support line providing a confidential one-on-one yarning opportunity with a Lifeline-trained Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Crisis Worker who can provide support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
QUICK LINKS
- What is child abuse and neglect?
- Responding to disclosures of child abuse
- Teach your child how to keep themselves safe
- Tips to keep your family safe online
Support and resources for children and young people
Kids Helpline (1800 551 800)
24 hour online and phone counselling service for children and young people aged 5-25.
QUICK LINKS
- Speak up – it’s your right
- Things to watch out for with online friends – for kids
- Unsafe or unwanted online contact – for Young People
- South East Centre Against Sexual Assault (SECASA)
-
A guide for children and young people to the National Strategy to prevent child sexual abuse (2021)
How to report a concern
If a Child or Young Person’s immediate safety is compromised or they are in immediate risk of danger or harm please call the Police on 000.
If your concern is related to the conduct of a Peninsula Leisure employee, volunteer, contractor or anyone doing work in one of our facilities, please contact us via email childsafe@peninsulaleisure.com.au.
If you would like to speak to someone in our Child Safe Team, please email us and specifically request a call back. Be sure to include your name, phone number and best time to contact you.
You can also report your concerns about the conduct of any workforce member to the Commission for Children and Young People via:
- a reportable allegation Commission for Children and Young People webform;
- email contact@ccyp.vic.gov.au;
- or call 1300 78 29 78
For any other child safety concerns contact the Child Protection South Division Intake service on 1300 655 795 or after hours on 13 12 78.
All reports made to Peninsula Leisure will be treated seriously and responded to in accordance with our legal obligations.
Introduction to Child Safety
Peninsula Leisure has zero tolerance for child abuse or endangerment and is committed to the ongoing safety of all children and young people, recognising that children and young people have the right to feel safe and to always be safe. As a child safe organisation Peninsula Leisure will take deliberate steps to protect children and young people from physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, and exposure to family violence.
Our Commitment to Child Safety
Peninsula Leisure is committed to the safety of children and young people. PL will embed all relevant aspects of this policy into all the organisations operations, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and best practice.
All children and young people that engage in services, programs, events or facilities (including online environments) that are owned or managed by PL have the right to be heard and feel safe regardless of their, or their families’ age, gender, race, ability, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or social background. PL will encourage and support Aboriginal children and young people to express their culture and commit to creating culturally safe environments.
Peninsula Leisure empowers all employees, volunteers, board members and contractors to create and maintain a safe culture for children and young people.
Peninsula Leisure is committed to reducing the risks of abuse and harm to children and young people and will ensure all employees understand and adhere to this policy, Child Safe Standards, Reportable Conduct Scheme (if applicable), Child Safety and Wellbeing procedure and relevant legislation and statutory requirements. PL will treat all reports of child safety concerns seriously and will actively encourage children to raise issues.
Peninsula Leisure’s Responsibilities
The Reportable Conduct Scheme requires some organisations to respond to allegations of child abuse (and other child-related misconduct) made against their workers and volunteers. For more information about the Reportable Conduct Scheme visit the Commission for Children and Young People.
Mandatory Reporting Some professionals are required by law to report a reasonable belief of child physical or sexual abuse to child protection authorities. For more information on Mandatory Reporting visit the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing.
Peninsula Leisure’s Policy
Our commitment to protecting children is embedded in Peninsula Leisure’s culture, values, policies and procedures. Below you can view our full Child Safe and Wellbeing Policy. We also have a shorter, child friendly version available below.
See something, say something
Keeping children and young people safe is everyone’s business. Learn how and who to report to on our ‘How to Report’ tab, click here.
For more information on our responsibilities in keeping children safe contact childsafe@peninsulaleisure.com.au.
Victoria Child Safe Standards
The Victorian Child Safe Standards were introduced in 2017 in response to the Inquiry into the Handling of Child Abuse by Religious and other Non-Government Organisations and apply to organisations that provide services to children and young people. In 2022 new Standards were introduced to provide a more robust framework to assist organisations to keep children and young people safe. Below are the new standards:
Child Safe Standard 1 – Organisations establish a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children and young people are respected and valued
Child Safe Standard 2 – Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture
Child Safe Standard 3 – Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously
Child Safe Standard 4 – Families and communities are informed, and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing
Child Safe Standard 5 – Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice
Child Safe Standard 6 – People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice
Child Safe Standard 7 – Processes for complaints and concerns are child focused
Child Safe Standard 8 – Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training
Child Safe Standard 9 – Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed
Child Safe Standard 10 – Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved
Child Safe Standard 11 – Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people
For more information on the Child Safe Standards visit the Commission for Children and Young People.
Support resources for families, parents and carers
1800RESPECT (1800 737 732)
24-hour national counselling line for anyone who is experiencing or is supporting someone experiencing, family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault.
13YARN (13 92 76)
13YARN is an Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support line providing a confidential one-on-one yarning opportunity with a Lifeline-trained Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Crisis Worker who can provide support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
QUICK LINKS
- What is child abuse and neglect?
- Responding to disclosures of child abuse
- Teach your child how to keep themselves safe
- Tips to keep your family safe online
Support and resources for children and young people
Kids Helpline (1800 551 800)
24 hour online and phone counselling service for children and young people aged 5-25.
QUICK LINKS
- Speak up – it’s your right
- Things to watch out for with online friends – for kids
- Unsafe or unwanted online contact – for Young People
- South East Centre Against Sexual Assault (SECASA)
-
A guide for children and young people to the National Strategy to prevent child sexual abuse (2021)
How to report a concern
If a Child or Young Person’s immediate safety is compromised or they are in immediate risk of danger or harm please call the Police on 000.
If your concern is related to the conduct of a Peninsula Leisure employee, volunteer, contractor or anyone doing work in one of our facilities, please contact us via email childsafe@peninsulaleisure.com.au.
If you would like to speak to someone in our Child Safe Team, please email us and specifically request a call back. Be sure to include your name, phone number and best time to contact you.
You can also report your concerns about the conduct of any workforce member to the Commission for Children and Young People via:
- a reportable allegation Commission for Children and Young People webform;
- email contact@ccyp.vic.gov.au;
- or call 1300 78 29 78
For any other child safety concerns contact the Child Protection South Division Intake service on 1300 655 795 or after hours on 13 12 78.
All reports made to Peninsula Leisure will be treated seriously and responded to in accordance with our legal obligations.
Seeking feedback on our Child Safe Interim Policy
What we’re doing
Peninsula Leisure has had a Child Safe Interim Policy in place since 2022. The Interim Policy we have drafted takes into consideration new obligations we have under the Child Safe Standards as well as best practice approaches to keeping children and young people safe. We want to hear from children, young people, their families and the community about our approach before we finalise our policy.
What we’re asking
We want to hear any thoughts you have on the draft Child Safe Policy. We would specifically like our community to consider:
- Whether our Statement of Commitment to Child Safety is clear?
- If the Policy is clear about what responsibilities different people at Peninsula Leisure have when it comes to keeping children and young people safe?
- If there is anything we haven’t included that will help keep children and young people safe?
How you can be part of it
- First view and read our Child Safe Interim Policy here.
- Then, click the link here to take you to the Draft Child Safe Policy consultation survey.
- If you have any questions about the Interim Policy or about the consultation process itself, please contact childsafe@peninsulaleisure.com.au.
