Child Safety Policy
1.0 Scope
The Australian Council for Student Voice Ltd. (ACSV) is committed to promoting the safety, wellbeing, and empowerment of all children and young people we engage with. This policy outlines our dedication to creating an environment that prioritises child safety, upholds the rights of children, and actively prevents harm, in alignment with the Victorian Child Safe Standards.
This policy applies to all ACSV Board members, staff, volunteers, contractors, and any other individuals engaged in ACSV’s activities. It encompasses all programs, events, digital platforms, and communications involving children and young people.
The ACSV is committed to:
Embedding child safety in our organisational culture, policies, and procedures.
Ensuring all children and young people feel safe, valued, and respected.
Supporting staff, volunteers, and stakeholders in their understanding of child safety responsibilities.
Continuously improving our child safety practices and ensuring compliance with the Victorian Child Safe Standards.
2.0 Statement of Commitment
The Australian Council for Student Voice Ltd. (ACSV) is deeply committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people. Our role as a national peak body advocating for student voice, agency, and participation is built upon a foundation of creating inclusive, equitable, and empowering environments where all students feel safe, valued, and respected.
Drawing from our Australian Framework for Student Empowerment, we affirm that child safety must be approached with authenticity, cultural responsiveness, and equity. Our commitment is to establish systems and practices that not only safeguard children but also empower them to actively contribute to decisions that impact their lives.
We affirm our zero-tolerance approach to child abuse and are dedicated to actively preventing harm. This includes embedding child safety in our policies, practices, and culture, ensuring that all children—regardless of their background, abilities, or identity—feel valued and supported. We strive to uphold the rights of children as outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and align our efforts with the Victorian Child Safe Standards.
As an independent and democratic body, the ACSV stands across divides to connect students, educators, school leaders, academics, policy makers, and industry. Our work fosters collaboration and learning to ensure that the voices of children and young people are not just heard but meaningfully acted upon.
Our commitment to child safety reflects our broader mission to create an education system where student voice thrives, and students are empowered to lead meaningful change in their communities.
3.0 Guiding Principles
The ACSV’s approach to Child Safety is guided by the following principles:
Children have the right to be heard, respected, and included in decisions that affect them.
We celebrate diversity and commit to providing a safe and inclusive environment for children of all cultural, linguistic, and religious backgrounds, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
ACSV supports the safety and wellbeing of children, particularly first nations children, those with disabilities, children in out-of-home care, and children from LGBTIQ+ communities.
ACSV will not tolerate any form of child abuse or harm, and we are committed to identifying risks, taking immediate action, and reporting concerns.
4.0 Child Protection Actions
4.1 Recruitment and Training
All staff, volunteers, and contractors undergo rigorous recruitment processes, including:
Criminal history checks (e.g., Working with Children Check or equivalent).
Reference checks that assess suitability to work with children.
All individuals working with or around children are trained to:
Understand their child safety obligations.
Identify and respond to risks of harm.
Foster safe and inclusive environments.
4.2 Child and Young Person Empowerment
ACSV actively supports children and young people to:
Express their views, concerns, and ideas in an open and supportive manner.
Participate in shaping programs, resources, and activities.
Understand their rights and know how to report any concerns.
4.3 Risk Management
ACSV identifies, assesses, and mitigates risks to child safety by:
Regularly reviewing our programs, events, and online platforms to identify potential risks.
Ensuring clear reporting procedures for incidents or concerns.
Taking immediate and appropriate action to address risks or incidents.
4.4 Responding to Incidents
If a concern, complaint, or allegation of abuse arises, ACSV will:
Act immediately to ensure the safety of the child or young person.
Report concerns to relevant authorities, such as:
Victoria Police for allegations of abuse or criminal conduct.
Child Protection (Department of Families, Fairness and Housing or equivalent) for concerns about harm.
Support the child by providing appropriate referrals, resources, and communication.
Comply with legal obligations, including mandatory reporting requirements.
4.5 Privacy and Confidentiality
ACSV respects the privacy of all individuals and ensures that:
Personal information is handled in accordance with our privacy policy and any applicable laws.
Only authorised personnel access sensitive information.
Information is disclosed only to relevant authorities when legally required.
4.6 Continuous Improvement
To maintain a high standard of child safety, ACSV will:
Regularly review and update this policy to reflect legislative changes and best practices.
Monitor compliance with this policy across all levels of the organisation.
Encourage feedback from children, families, staff, and stakeholders to strengthen our approach to child safety.
5.0 Reporting and Contact
If you have concerns about a child’s safety or wish to report a child safety issue, please contact the ACSV’s Executive Director:
Mitch Sprague: mitch.sprague@studentvoice.org.au.
Alternatively, you can contact the Board via email: contact@board.studentvoice.org.au.
If you believe a child is in immediate danger, contact the Police on 000.
6.0 Approval and Review
This policy was approved by the National Office on 20 December 2024 and will be reviewed annually or as required to ensure compliance with applicable legislation and leading practice.