Hume City is located on the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung. The Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung, which includes the Gunung-Willam-Balluk clan, are the traditional owners of this land.

•the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

•the Convention on the Rights of the Child

•the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

•the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic)

•the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001

•(Vic)

•the Charter of Human Rights and

•Responsibilities Act 2006 (Vic).

Hume City Council Policy: Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy

• Hume Council Employee Handbook/Child safety toolkit

• Council’s Staff Conflict of Interest Policy

• Privacy and Health Records Policy

• Council’s EEO Policy Occupational Health and Safety Policy

• Policy for the Use of the Internet

• Procedure for Use of E-mail

People:

•The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement Team

•Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Parent Engagement Worker

•Maternal and Child Health Nurse

•Aboriginal Parents as Teachers Worker

Public Commitment to the Cultural Safety of Aboriginal Children

This template was reviewed by the Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Incorporated.

Hume City Council is committed to the cultural safety of Aboriginal children.

We are committed to:

• actively supporting and facilitating participation and inclusion of Aboriginal children, young people and their families within our service

• the safety, participation and empowerment of Aboriginal children

• providing an educational program that strengthens Aboriginal children’s culture and identity

• actively supporting and encouraging Aboriginal children to express their culture and enjoy their cultural rights

• supporting Aboriginal children and their families to identify as Aboriginal without fear of retribution or questioning

• supporting Aboriginal children to maintain connection to their kinship ties, land and country

• supporting Aboriginal children to be taught their cultural heritage by Elders

• facilitating regular training and education on Aboriginal cultural and cultural safety

• establishing policies, procedures, systems and processes to create a culturally safe and inclusive environment and meet the needs of Aboriginal children, young people and their families.

CHILD SAFE ENVIRONMENT AND WELLBEING

Hume City Council | Family, Youth and Children | Early Years Policy - 2024

Thoroughly review all policies and procedures, especially those that relate to child safety:

• Child Safe Environment Policy and procedures (Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy)

• Code of Conduct (this should link to the staffing policy and procedures)

• Complaints policy

• Procedure for responding to complaints and concerns relating to child abuse

• Recordkeeping and information management protocols

• Policies and practices on accessibility, cultural safety, diversity and inclusion

• Recruitment policies and practices for staff and volunteers

• Induction programs

• Training for staff and volunteers

• Communication aimed at students, their families and the community about child safety

• How the service is embedding child safety and rights in its educational program and philosophy

What to consider

• What’s changed since the service last reviewed child safety?

• Can the service adapt its environment to better support child safety?

• Do the current Child Safe Environment Policy and procedures address all the standards?

• What is the service doing well in terms of child safety practice?

• What is the root cause of a complaint or incident?

• What can be learned from incidents, concerns and complaints?

• How can the service address weaknesses, failures and gaps?

• Are the Child Safe Environment Policy and procedures understood and implemented by staff and volunteers as intended?

• Are staff, volunteers and families involved in the service’s approach to child safety?

• Who is responsible for actions to improve child safety?

• Who is accountable for child safety incidents?

• Does the service need to seek advice from independent specialists?