Safety and Wellbeing
McAuley is committed to a safe, trauma-informed environment where children and young people thrive.
How we do this:
- McAuley has a zero tolerance for child abuse, neglect and exploitation
- Through our use of the Sanctuary Framework, McAuley commits to a trauma informed safety focussed approach to our work with children and young people
- The Sanctuary Model supports the creation of a culture that prioritises safety and wellbeing at every level within the organisation
- McAuley develops innovative evidence-based programs and responses to address the safety and wellbeing needs of children and young people
- We draw from the expertise of our staff and external partners to prioritise safety and wellbeing needs of children and young people
- McAuley’s family programs are designed to help families thrive and stay connected, and to enhance the safety and wellbeing of children and young people
- All staff and are trained to recognise indicators of child abuse and how to respond to concerns
- All child protection concerns are reported and investigated in accordance with legislative requirements and mandatory reporting
- When responding to complaints or allegations, the safety, welfare and wellbeing of children or young people takes precedence
- We monitor and address risks associated with physical and online environments to ensure they are safe for children and young people
Rights
McAuley is committed to upholding the rights of all children.
How we do this:
- Children and young people’s right to safety is supported by strong safeguarding policies and practices
- Children and young people are provided information about their rights in a format that they can understand
- We ensure that children are able to easily raise concerns and make complaints, which are taken seriously
- Children and young people are supported to understand what constitutes healthy and respectful relationships with peers, family and staff
- We champion the rights of all children and young people to be engaged with education
Participation
McAuley is committed to children and young people contributing and actively participating in decision that affect them.
How we do this:
- McAuley programs actively create opportunities for children and young people to have a say in decisions that affect them, and for their voice to be heard
- Participation opportunities include feedback surveys, accessible complaints processes, advisory groups and participating in planning processes
- Concerns and worries raised by children and young people are taken seriously
- Self advocacy and participation by children and young people in decisions that affect them is supported and encouraged as an important life skill
Diversity and Inclusion
McAuley is committed to an inclusive culture that respects diversity.
How we do this:
- McAuley actively promotes safe and welcoming environments that reflect diversity and promote inclusion
- McAuley staff celebrate and draw strength from diversity and respects the dignity of all people
- Staff encourage children and young people to remain connected to their culture and support them to be proud of who they are
- Throughout our offices, schools and homes, McAuley regularly celebrates significant days for diverse communities, and actively promotes children, young people and families participating in celebrations for their identity
- McAuley is proud to be Rainbow Tick Accredited
Families and Community
McAuley is committed to working with families and communities to strengthen child safety and wellbeing.
How we do this:
- McAuley’s approach to child safety and wellbeing is underpinned by the belief that every child deserves the best, and the best place for children is to be nurtured in a safe and supportive home environment
- Staff work with families to create safe environments for children to grow and thrive
- Staff are trained to undertake child safe focussed risk assessments
- Families have a right to participate in decisions affecting their children
- McAuley works with communities to ensure strong, local and relevant support to families
Cultural Safety
McAuley is committed to cultural safety for all children and young people.
How we do this:
- We practice compassionate self-reflection to address power imbalance and cultivate cultural safety for all
- We empower and affirm cultural beliefs and identity, to foster awareness and healing, reduce risk of re-traumatisation, and counter cultural minimisation or dominance
- We recognise the voice of individuals, communities and groups as cultural authority that support self-determination and build meaningful relationships for inclusive design and delivery
- McAuley’s approach to self-determination is an ongoing process of ensuring children and young people are able to make decisions about matters that affect their lives. Essential to the exercise of self-determination is choice, participation and control
- The right of Indigenous peoples to self-determination recognises long-held traditions of ‘independent decision-making, self-government, and institutional self-reliance’. This includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, who practised self-determination and self-government for tens of thousands of years before colonisation began
- Staff undertake mandatory cultural safety and awareness training , and specific training about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture
- Staff actively support children, young people and families to be strong and safe in their identity. Planning processes include planning for remaining connected to culture.
- Our Reconciliation Action Plan drives actions that promote cultural safety for Aboriginal children and young people in McAuley’s care
- Truth telling and deep listening are valued and promoted throughout the organisation
Organisational culture and governance
McAuley is committed to embedding child safety and wellbeing in organisational leadership, governance and culture. The principles of child safety are central to McAuley’s commitment to quality improvement.
How we do this:
- Child safety is embedded in our organisational culture and is a key priority for all decision making
- The Board has an active role in monitoring child safety through regular reporting and oversight
- McAuley is compliant with relevant State and National Child Safety Standards
- Corporate Operating Plans support child safety goals, with regular reporting against associated Key Performance Indicators
- Key policies and procedures outline expectations and requirements for child safety.
- All incidents and complaints are responded to, documented and monitored. Reviews of incidents and complaints inform actions to minimise future child safety risks
- Quality and Governance Committees regularly review child safety related practices in all areas of McAuley’s work with a commitment to continuous improvement
- Client records systems provide oversight and monitoring of child safety indicators.
- Our commitment to child safety is displayed and communicated broadly throughout the organisation and digitally
Staff and volunteers
McAuley is committed to child safe recruitment practices, training and ongoing management of staff, students and volunteers.
How we do this:
- Engaging child safe staff , carers and volunteers is our top priority
- McAuley has rigorous recruitment and ongoing compliance screening (Criminal Record Checks, Working with Children Checks)
- All staff and volunteers sign a Code of Conduct that sets out the expected behaviour of adults working with children at young people at McAuley
- All staff are trained to understand the indicators of and response to child abuse and neglect
- All staff and volunteers participate in regular formal and informal supervision to promote a child safe culture