Keeping children and young people safe in the City of Whittlesea

The City of Whittlesea’s updated Child Safe Policy, which was endorsed at the Council Meeting on Monday 19 September, reaffirms Council’s commitment to creating a child safe and child friendly environment.

The updated policy reflects recent changes to the Victorian Child Safe Standards that came into effect on 1 July 2022 which require organisations to embed child safety in organisational culture and governance, have clear policies that promote child safety, respect and acknowledge the diverse needs of children and engage effectively with children about their experiences of safety.

Chair Administrator Lydia Wilson said that the City of Whittlesea is committed to providing a safe child-friendly environment for young people in our municipality.

“The changes to our Child Safe Policy will ensure that Council is positioned to proactively manage child safety at the City of Whittlesea and in our community, and to support the wellbeing of children in our care and in the wider community,” Ms Wilson said.

“The policy now covers areas including managing risk in online environments and outlines our commitment to continue to actively promote the participation and empowerment of children and young people.”

The updated policy was developed in consultation with Council’s Child Safe Working Group and feedback from other councils who are members of the inter-Council Child Safe LGA Partnership Working Group.

“This collaborative process has enabled us to ensure that our approach is not only meeting our legislated obligations, but also meeting best practice in this area,” Ms Wilson said.

To view the updated Child Safe Policy visit www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/childsafety