Our learning support and mentoring programs in 90 Australian communities directly help children in need achieve their goals through education.
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The Smith Family is working towards a better future for young Australians in need, by providing long-term support for their participation in education. This statement outlines our commitment to safeguarding children and young people from abuse and neglect as we work with their families and communities.
We will provide safe environments; always act in the best interests of children; and take action to protect children and other vulnerable persons from abuse and neglect.
The Smith Family is committed to child protection
We will always act in the best interests of children and young people who are our primary consideration.
This is consistent with Article 3 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Australia ratified in 1990.
Act to protect children and other vulnerable people
We will always act to protect children and other vulnerable people from physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect and witnessing family and other violence. We act on this commitment by implementing our Child Protection Framework, which all our team members and volunteers must comply.
We introduce families to the Framework when we begin working with them, and at least once per year after that we refer them to our Information for Families about Child Safety and Protection.
Child protection framework
The Smith Family Child Safeguarding Framework: Safeguarding Children and Other Vulnerable People from Abuse and Neglect outlines our commitment, roles and responsibilities, and management strategies for safeguarding children and other vulnerable people from abuse and neglect. The Framework applies to all employees and volunteers, and has implications for our supporters, partners and external third-party providers. It takes into account state and territory child protection legislation.
The Framework relates to children and young people under the age of 18 years. We also consider the guidance it provides when we work with students and others aged 18 years and over. Although child protection legislation does not apply to adults, our commitment to safety, wellbeing and protection extends to all the students and vulnerable people we work with.
National Redress Scheme
The Smith Family is committed to acting in the best interests of children and young people. This includes a commitment to those children it has worked with over almost 100 years of service to the community.
The Smith Family has joined the National Redress Scheme so people can access redress. This means any person who was sexually abused as children while in our care can apply to the Scheme for Redress.
The National Redress Scheme provides acknowledgement and support to people who experienced institutional child sexual abuse. It was created in response to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, which estimated that 60,000 people experienced institutional child sexual abuse in Australia.
The Scheme started on 1 July 2018 and will run for 10 years.
Applications can be made:
- Via an online form on the National Redress Scheme website
- By phone by calling the National Redress Scheme on 1800 737 377 Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm (except public holidays). Call charges may apply.
- By downloading a form on the National Redress Scheme website
For more information on the National Redress Scheme, visit www.nationalredress.gov.au or call 1800 737 377.
National principles for child safe organisations
We take seriously our responsibility to always provide safe environments for the children and young people participating in our programs and activities. We work with communities to ensure we are culturally respectful and inclusive. We have adopted and continue to monitor our compliance with the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations:
- Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture.
- Children and young people are informed about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.
- Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.
- Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice.
- People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice.
- Processes to respond to complaints and concerns are child focused.
- Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training.
- Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed.
- Implementation of the national child safe principles is regularly reviewed and improved.
- Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people.
