Statement of Commitment to Child Safety
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The Islamic Council of Victoria (ICV) is committed to providing an environment for children, young people and vulnerable adults that is physically, emotionally and spiritually safe. ICV is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people and will endeavour to provide a safe and supportive environment for children and young people by the following safeguarding measures and commitments:
Our commitment to children
We are committed to ensuring children feel safe, empowered and are taken seriously if they raise concerns in relation to their safety and well-being.
- We value and support diversity, inclusion and equality. The ICV is committed to the cultural safety of children from a culturally and/or linguistically diverse background, and to providing a safe environment for children with a disability.
Our commitment to staff and volunteers
We are committed to ensuring staff, volunteers and contractors, depending on the nature of their role understand that child safety is everyone’s responsibility.
We will ensure staff and volunteers are provided with the necessary support to fulfil their obligations in relation to child safety.
We will ensure staff and volunteers are educated in child safety including abuse risks and how to interact and behave with children.
All employees of the ICV, including work staff, volunteers, and independent contractors whilst located at an ICV workplaces must abide by our Code of Conduct which specifies the standard of conduct required when working with children.
We have specific policies, procedures and training in place that support our leadership
Expectations in relation to behaviour are outlined in the ICV’s Code of Conduct.
Recruitment
We will ensure all staff and volunteers who work with children have a current Working With Children Check (WWCC) and that there is an appropriate screening process for staff and volunteers that work with children including interview guides, advertisements and selection criteria which clearly demonstrate our commitment to child safety.
Our commitment to ensuring a Child Safe Organisation
Training and Supervision
We will ensure all new and existing employees understand the importance of protecting children from harm. This will be supported through induction, training and professional development.
We will ensure staff understand the process for reporting any child safety issues and are supported by Council’s appointed Child Safety Officer.
Reporting
All allegations and concerns in relation to children’s safety will be taken seriously and will be investigated fairly and appropriately.
The ICV supports and encourages our employees to proactively report any behaviour deemed to be endangering the safety of children.
The ICV has a designated Child Safety Officer, who is available to support staff with any child safety concerns and to safely disclose risks of harm to children.
Reportable incidents and complaints are notified to the relevant authority (Child First, Child Protection or police).
The ICV supports and respect all children, as well as our staff and our volunteers.
The ICV is committed to the safety, participation and empowerment of all children.
Scope
This Statement of Commitment applies to all staff including any person directly employed by the ICV or employed through an agency or on a contract basis, and volunteers and work experience students, irrespective of their specific involvement in child related duties.
Review
This statement will be reviewed every two years, and following any changes to legislation or policy.
Definitions
Child/children: refers to children and young people aged under the age of 18 years.
Child Safety Officer: The appointed Council officer who staff and volunteers can seek guidance and support when there are concerns regarding a child’s safety and who will initiate internal processes in relation to where matters need to be reported.
Cultural Safety: Where children experience their cultural identity, values and way of being, which may differ from other cultures; and their interactions with the wider community are respected, not challenged or harmed.
Working with Children Check (WWCC): Assists in protecting children from sexual or physical harm by ensuring that people who work with, or care for, them are subject to a screening process. The Check screens a person’s criminal records and any reports about professional conduct. (Department of Justice and Regulation)