Child Safety
Child Safe Organisation
Mosman Council is committed to being a Child Safe Council. On 4 August 2020 Council adopted a new Child Safety Policy. The Child Safety Policy sets out Mosman Council’s commitment to a child safe culture, including expectations of all those who provide services for children and young people on behalf of Council, or who otherwise provide programs and activities for children and young people at Council owned or controlled facilities.
The Child Safety Policy articulates clear expectations around:
- Creating a child safe environment across Council
- Recruitment and employment provisions for staff and volunteers
- Child safe training for staff, volunteers, Councillors and contractors who work with children
- Having clear processes for reporting and managing child abuse complaints
- Implementation of the National Child Safe Standards.
Working together to safeguard children and young people
A Child Safe Working Group has been established to help plan, design and roll out a Child Safe Program across the following areas:
- The implementation of the Child Safety Policy. This will embed the new statutory child protection requirements across Council
- A Child Safe Standards compliance check. This will identify ways in which Council services can be made safer and more inclusive for children and young people
- The development of team specific practices. This will ensure that all departments that work with children and young people have a clear set of procedures to keep them safe at all times
- The delivery of the new Child Safety Training and the Child Safety Code of Conduct adopted by Council on 2 March 2021. The Child Safety Code of Conduct and Child Safety Training will ensure that staff, Councillors, volunteers and Contractors who work directly with children understand their responsibilities in keeping children and young people safe across Council
- The implementation of the Child Safe Standards. This will happen at all levels of Council and will be supported by reviewing and updating policies and procedures
- Having clear procedures of when and how to report concerns about the safety of children through the Child Safety Reporting Procedure for all staff, Councillors, volunteers and contractors.
How to report child protection concerns
If a child is in immediate danger call the Police on 000 (triple zero).
If you think a child or young person is at risk of harm from abuse or neglect, contact the Child Protection Helpline on 132 111.
You can also report child protection concerns involving a Mosman Council Councillor, employee, contractor or volunteer to the Manager Community Services or the Manager Human Resources by:
- Phone (02) 9978 4000 between 8.30am - 5pm Monday to Friday and ask to speak to the Manager Community Services or the Manager Human Resources
- Email childsafe@mosman.nsw.gov.au
- Through a face-to-face meeting with one of the people above. Please use one of the contact methods above to request a meeting.
External Resources
Child Protection Helpline
If you think a child or young person is at risk of harm from abuse or neglect, the Child Protection Helpline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Phone 132 111.
NSW Communities and Justice
The Department of Community Justice (DCJ) works with children. They are committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people and protecting them from risk of harm, abuse and neglect.
The Office of the Children’s Guardian
The Office of the Children’s Guardian (OCG) regulate and oversee organisations in NSW to uphold children and young people’s right to be safe.
Support services
Confidential counselling is available for people of all ages by telephone or online.
Kids Helpline
The Kids Helpline is for children and young people aged 5 to 25 year. All issues are confidential, and phone counselling is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Phone 1800 55 1800
- Webchat Counselling is also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
headspace
headspace is for 12 to 25 year olds for all issues. Phone counselling or on-line chat with a clinician is available 9am – 1am, 7 days a week.
- Phone 1800 650 890
- Ways to Connect with headspace.
Lifeline
All ages, all issues. Counselling is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Phone 13 11 14
- Online chat service
- Lifeline text service, SMS 0477 131 114.
Beyond Blue
All ages, all issues. Phone and online chat counselling is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Phone 1300 22 4636
- Online chat service.
Blueknot
Adults who have experienced childhood trauma and abuse. Helpline and support service, 9am – 5pm, 7 days a week.
- Phone 1300 657 380