City of Greater Bendigo: Commitment to Child Safety
At the City of Greater Bendigo, we believe that every child has the right to be safe. We are dedicated to creating and maintaining a child-safe environment in all our services, programs, and events.
Our commitments
Respect and value
We recognise children as active citizens and valued members of our community. We are committed to advocating for their rights and ensuring their voices are heard and respected in all matters that affect them.
Inclusion of voices
We actively seek and include the voices of children in our organisational planning, service delivery, facility management, and assessment procedures. We value the input of children and their families in decision-making processes.
Active protection and prevention
We have a zero-tolerance policy for child abuse. Protecting children and preventing abuse is ingrained in our everyday practices. We respond swiftly to any risks, allegations, or safety concerns.
Robust policies and procedures
Our organisation has comprehensive policies, procedures, and training in place to protect children. We support our leadership team, staff, Councillors, and volunteers in upholding these commitments.
Legal and moral obligations
We rigorously follow our legal and moral obligations to contact authorities whenever we are concerned about a child’s safety.
Support and respect
We are committed to the safety, participation, and empowerment of all children. We support and respect not only the children but also our staff and volunteers.
Diversity and inclusion
We are committed to the cultural safety of Aboriginal children, children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and children with disabilities. We celebrate the diversity of our community to provide a safe environment for all.
The City of Greater Bendigo values the contributions of children and their families and takes all concerns about safety seriously. We ensure the voices of children, young people, and families are heard and acted upon. Our organisation is dedicated to preventing child abuse, identifying risks early, and continuously educating our staff, Councillors and volunteers about child safety.
We strive to create a community where all children feel safe, valued, and empowered.