Commitment to Child Safety
At Cross Care Support, we are unwavering in our commitment to ensuring the safety, protection, and well-being of all children and young people with disabilities who access our services. Our intent is to provide a child-safe environment where all children are free from harm, and their rights are upheld. We actively work to prevent abuse, promote inclusion, and empower children to participate in decisions that affect their lives.
Underpinning Values
Our commitment is grounded in the following core values:
Respect: We respect the rights, dignity, and voice of every child and young person.
Empowerment: We empower children to express their views and participate in decision-making processes that concern them.
Integrity: We are transparent and accountable in all our practices, ensuring that our actions are aligned with our commitment to child safety.
Inclusion: We strive to provide an inclusive environment where every child, regardless of ability or background, is safe, supported, and valued.
Additional Values
Alongside these core values, we uphold additional values that guide our work:
Trust: We build trusting relationships with children, their families, and the community, based on open communication and collaboration.
Responsibility: We recognise our responsibility to act decisively to protect children, ensuring that safeguarding measures are always in place.
Equity: We are committed to addressing the diverse needs of children with disabilities, ensuring equal access to safety and protection.
Demonstration of Intent
Our intent is demonstrated through strong actions and policies designed to ensure the safety of children in our care:
Child Protection Policies: We have clear, well-documented child protection policies that align with the NSW Government’s Child Safe Standards, ensuring best practices in safeguarding.
Staff Training: All staff and volunteers receive ongoing training in child safety, including identifying and responding to signs of abuse, mandatory reporting requirements, and creating a child-friendly environment.
Recruitment Process: We ensure that all personnel working with children undergo rigorous background checks, including Working with Children Checks (WWCC) and other relevant screening processes.
Incident Response and Reporting: We have a well-established incident reporting system, ensuring swift action and appropriate responses to any concerns or allegations of harm or abuse.
Child Participation: We actively involve children in discussions about their safety and well-being, ensuring they feel heard and valued in our decision-making processes.
Supporting Our Day-to-Day Operations
We actively involve children in discussions about their safety and well-being, ensuring they feel heard and valued in our decision-making processes.
Planning: In planning our services and activities, we prioritise the safety of children by conducting risk assessments and implementing strategies to mitigate potential harm. This includes physical safety measures, appropriate staffing ratios, and careful consideration of the unique needs of children with disabilities.
Decision-Making: Our decision-making process incorporates input from children, their families, and staff, ensuring that child safety is a central consideration in every choice we make. We foster a culture of openness and feedback, where children are encouraged to share their concerns and suggestions.
Operations: On a day-to-day basis, we ensure that our facilities, programs, and interactions are safe, inclusive, and child-friendly. Staff are actively engaged in monitoring the well-being of children, maintaining clear lines of communication with families, and creating a positive, respectful environment where children feel safe and supported.
By embedding child safety into the fabric of our organisation, Cross Care Support remains steadfast in our mission to protect, empower, and nurture the children and young people in our care. We are committed to continuous improvement and proactive actions to ensure that every child entrusted to us is safe, respected, and supported to thrive.