Child Safe Statement of Commitment

Council is working towards compliance with the seven Victorian Child Safe Standards to create a culture of child safety that reduces the opportunity for harm.

Our Child Safe Statement of Commitment applies to all employees, volunteers, work experience students, contractors, contract employees and councillors.

Statement of Commitment

The organisation is committed to the safety and well-being of children and, as such, is committed to creating and maintaining a child safe organisation.

We have zero tolerance of child abuse and are committed to actively contributing to a child safe shire where children are protected from abuse.

Our commitment to the safety of children is based on our duty of care and responsibilities to children and always acting in the best interests of children.

Our commitment will be enacted through the implementation and monitoring of the Child Safe Standards, as specified under the Child Wellbeing and Safety Amendment (Child Safe Standards) Act 2015.

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. In acknowledgment of the particular vulnerabilities of these groups of children, and in accordance with the Child Safe Standards, we particularly support:

  • the cultural safety of Indigenous Australian children and children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds

  • the participation and empowerment of children with a disability, Indigenous Australian children, children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and children who identify with the LGBTIQ community.

Processes for responding to and reporting suspected child abuse

Council encourages the community to speak up when they are concerned about or suspect child abuse in any of our workplaces and is committed to responding to and reporting suspected child abuse. Go to our Contact Us page for the various ways by which you can report your concerns or speak to a member of council staff.