Creating Safe Environments for Children and Young People
Every child deserves to grow up in an environment where they feel safe, supported and protected.
Whether you’re a parent, teacher, volunteer, support worker or community member, you play a vital role in creating spaces where children and young people can thrive.
In this article, we explore what Child Safe Environments training involves, small steps you can take to support a safe organisation, as well as, how to get your Child Safe Environments certificate today.
Table of Contents:
Small Steps You Can Take to Create Safe Environments for Children and Young People
How Do I Get My Child Safe Environments Certificate?
Reference List
What is Child Safe Environments Training?
Guided by South Australia’s Department of Human Services (DHS), Child Safe Environments is a course developed to assist organisations in providing safe spaces for children and young people in their care.
This course is designed to cover a range of topics including, but not limited to:
Recognising, reporting and responding to children and young people who may be at risk of harm
Child protection legislation
Various types of abuse
Responding to disclosures and confidentiality
Whether you’re new to working with children and young people or wanting to enhance professional development, the Child Safe Environments course assists in providing ways of applying theory into practice in an organisation.
Small Steps You Can Take To Create Safe Environments for Children and Young People
You don’t need to overhaul your organisation to make an impact. Implementing small practices can make all the difference in ensuring a safe environment for children and young people.
1. Conduct Regular Risk Assessments
You should regularly assess your organisation for potential safety risks, ensuring this is well documented and proper procedures are in place to address these risks.
2. Continuously Improve and Enhance Safety Practices
With evolving child safety legislation and procedures, safety practices can become outdated quickly. An appointed person of staff or team should be responsible for overseeing these practices and keeping up-to-date with legislation.
3. Encourage Open Communication
Create a space where children and young people feel seen, heard and can turn to someone in a time of distress. Children and young people should be aware of who and what resources they can turn to at any time, so openly communicating this is key.
4. Train Staff in Child Safe Environments
Proper training in Child Safe Environments supports staff in being able to identify potential risks and ways to respond to them accordingly. It also instils confidence in their ability to fulfil their legal obligations.
How Do I Get My Child Safe Environments Certificate?
If you work or volunteer with children and young people, regardless of the industry, completing your Child Safe Environments certificate is not just encouraged, it is often required by your employer.
Our Safe Environments: Through Their Eyes course is available both face-to-face and online, via Zoom.
During this course, you will learn how to recognise, respond and report on various forms of harm, including:
Neglect
Physical abuse
Emotional abuse
Sexual abuse
Exposure to unkept environment
Upon completion of course, you will receive your Safe Environments: Through Their Eyes certificate and play a key role in safeguarding the children and young people in your organisation.
Get Started…
For more information on our Safe Environments: Through Their Eyes course, click here.
To enrol in our Safe Environments: Through Their Eyes course, click here.
Have questions? Contact us today for more information or to organise a group training session for your workplace.
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