Commitment to Child Safety & Wellbeing

Murweh Shire Council is committed to creating and maintaining a child safe organisation where the safety, wellbeing, participation, empowerment, inclusion and cultural safety of children and young people are embedded in all aspects of Council’s operations.

Council has a zero-tolerance approach to child abuse, neglect, exploitation, grooming, discrimination, and any behaviour that places a child at risk of harm. The safety and best interests of children and young people will always take precedence over organisational or individual interests.

Our Commitment

All children and young people who interact with Council services, facilities, programs, staff, volunteers, contractors and Councillors have the right to feel safe and be safe.

Murweh Shire Council is committed to:

  • Creating safe, inclusive and welcoming environments for all children and young people
  • Embedding child safety and wellbeing into leadership, governance, decision-making and organisational culture
  • Listening to, respecting and valuing the voices of children and young people
  • Supporting participation and empowering children in decisions that affect them
  • Promoting equity and respecting diverse needs, identities and experiences
  • Ensuring cultural safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families
  • Supporting children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
  • Supporting children with disability and other vulnerabilities
  • Proactively identifying and managing child safety risks
  • Preventing opportunities for harm, abuse or misconduct
  • Ensuring appropriate and timely responses to concerns, disclosures and allegations
  • Fostering a shared responsibility for child safety across Council and the broader community

Council also recognises that child safety is a whole-of-community responsibility and extends to all interactions where children may come into contact with Council services, including incidental contact.

Child Safe Standards

Murweh Shire Council is committed to implementing the Child Safe Standards, which guide how organisations create environments that are safe for children:

  1. Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture
  2. Children are informed about their rights and are encouraged to participate in decisions affecting them
  3. Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing
  4. Equity is upheld and diverse needs are respected in policy and practice
  5. People working with children are suitable, supported and held accountable
  6. Processes to respond to complaints and concerns are child-focused
  7. Staff and volunteers are trained and supported to keep children safe
  8. Physical and online environments promote safety and minimise harm
  9. Child safety practices are regularly reviewed and improved
  10. Policies and procedures clearly document how Council keeps children safe 

Reporting Concerns

Murweh Shire Council takes all concerns about child safety seriously.

If you believe a child is in immediate danger, call 000.

Concerns, disclosures or allegations involving Council staff, contractors, volunteers or Councillors will be managed in accordance with Council’s Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy and relevant procedures. Where required, matters will be referred to external authorities such as Child Safety Queensland or Family and Child Connect.

Council is committed to responding to concerns in a timely, respectful and child-focused manner.

Cultural Safety and Inclusion

Council is committed to ensuring culturally safe environments for all children and young people.

Further Information and Support

For more information about child safe organisations and standards, visit the  Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety and Child Safety or the Queensland Family & Child Commission.

Support services for children and young people include:

  • Kids Helpline (24/7 support for young people aged 5–25) – 1800 551 800
  • Headspace (mental health support for young people aged 12–25) – 1800 650 890
  • Lifeline (24/7 crisis support) – 13 11 14
  • 13YARN (culturally safe crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples) – 13 92 76
  • 1800RESPECT (support for people impacted by domestic, family or sexual violence) – 1800 737 732
  • QLife (support for LGBTIQ+ Community) – 1800 184 527
  • TIS National (language services for people with limited English proficiency) – 131 450

Murweh Shire Council is committed to continuous improvement in child safety and will continue to strengthen policies, systems and culture to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people.

Governance Policies

 

 

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