New resources to support National Principles for Child Safe Organisations

The National Office for Child Safety (NOCS) is partnering with organisations to develop new resources to support implementation of the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations and help improve the safety and wellbeing of children and young people in organisations across Australia.

Children’s Complaint Resources

The Commissioner for Children and Young People Western Australia will develop resources to help children and young people understand their right to speak up when they feel unsafe, unhappy or unfairly treated. The WA Commissioner will also develop a resource to help adults to talk about the resources with children and young people in their lives, communities and organisations.

These resources will complement the Complaint Handling Guide: Upholding the Rights of Children and Young People, developed by the NSW Ombudsman, in partnership with NOCS, in 2019.

The Commissioner will be consulting extensively on the development of the resources, including engaging directly with children and young people.

These resources are expected to be available in late 2020.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Resources

The Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC) – National Voice for our Children will work closely with the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA), to develop resources to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and communities to implement the National Principles in a way that is culturally safe and relevant.

SNAICC and VACCA will be consulting with a wide range of communities and experts, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peak bodies and organisations, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people themselves.

These resources are expected to be available in early 2021.

More information on the National Principles and the Complaints Handling Guide are available.