Child Safety and Wellbeing
If you or a child are in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000) and if on campus contact UWA Security on 6488 2222. Crisis Care is WA’s out of hours response line – free call 1800 199 008.
If you have a concern about a child’s wellbeing that you can contact the Department of Communities Central Intake Team on 1800 273 889 or if you need to report a crime, call Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000 or contact your local police on 131 444.
If you are assisting someone who does not speak English, first call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 13 14 50. They can connect you with the service of your choice and interpret for you.
Child safety is everyone’s responsibility, monitoring the care, safety and outcomes of services for children and young people is critical to ensuring their wellbeing. The University affirms that all forms of abuse and harm of children is unacceptable and our commitment to the National Child Safety Principles.
We want everyone who interacts with our university to have a positive, inclusive and safe experience and in particular, that all children (under 18) are supported and protected. We have a responsibility to child safety across a wide range of activities in which members of our community interact with children: childcare, child services, community engagement programs, visitors to our campus, in teaching and learning, and in our research activity.
The University’s commitment aligns with our responsibilities under the Commonwealth Child Safety Framework, adopting the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations and;
- Identify and manage risks;
- Provide training; and
- Compliance checking.
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What are the National Child Safety Principles?
The Principles set out a nationally consistent approach to promoting a culture of child safety and wellbeing within organisations. The principles give effect to the child safe standards that were recommended by the Royal Commission and bring attention to general child safety and wellbeing issues. Organisations need to demonstrate:
- 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.
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What do I need to do in my local area
The risk of harm to children will depend on the frequency and nature of interactions in your area (Schools and business units). You need to consider the likelihood of contact, what that contact is likely to be, and consider what training, compliance checks (i.e. Working with Children) are required and then address the risks. More information on risk assessments is available on the Staff Intranet
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What has UWA been doing?
What has UWA been doing?
- New Child Protection Policy created
- New International Student Under 18 Policy created
- In 2021 achieved a 5 year rating as a low risk agency under UNICEF’s Child Safety and Prevention of Sexual Abuse and Exploitation (PSEA) Policy
- Worked across areas to develop responses, including reporting for DFAT for students on exchange under the Colombo Plan
- Became a participating institution in the National Redress Scheme
- Deployed Sonia to track and record student working with children checks
- Commenced development of a system to track and record staff working with children check
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What policies does UWA have in place?
In addition to the Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct which sets out our expected behaviour of staff and students, the following three specific policies are in place:
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What should I do if I think there may be a child safety issue
Child safety and wellbeing is everyone’s concerns. See above for the contact information to report urgent and out of hours concerns.