Practical tools
Practical tools for implementing the National Principles
As part of the Child Safe Organisations project, the Australian Government commissioned the Australian Human Rights Commission to develop practical tools and resources to help organisations implement the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations.
The following tools are now available:
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An Introductory self-assessment tool for organisations. This practical tool helps organisations reflect on their child safe practices and identify priority areas for improvement, in line with the National Principles. The tool gives examples of what some aspects of each principle might look like when implemented in practice, and prompts organisations to commit to taking concrete actions to improve their child safe practices.
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A Charter of Commitment to Children and Young People. The content of this tool has been informed by the National Children’s Commissioner’s consultations with children and young people. The tool includes an example of what a child-friendly Charter of Commitment might look like. It also includes a template that organisations can use to create their own Charter of Commitment, in the form of a poster communicating what the organisation commits to do to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.
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A Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy template. A Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy should outline how an organisation keeps children safe and well and promotes and protects their human rights. This tool provides a template that can be used by an organisation in developing a Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy that addresses the ten National Principles. It should be adapted to suit the nature, size and circumstances of each organisation and the services it provides to children and young people.
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An example Child Safe Code of Conduct. A code of conduct should set out the behaviours that are expected from all members of an organisation when interacting with children and young people. It should also set out behaviours that are unacceptable when interacting with children and young people. This tool provides a general guide on what might be included in a code of conduct. It should be adapted to reflect the context in each particular organisation.
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A Checklist for online safety, developed in partnership with the Office of the e-Safety Commissioner. This tool outlines why online safety is important, identifies some potential risks, and provides simple steps that an organisation can take to help children and young people be safe online.
In addition to these tools for organisations, a Guide for parents and carers has been developed to help parents and carers consider whether an organisation is child safe. The guide aims to give parents and carers an introduction to child safe organisations, the confidence to ask questions, and encouragement to stay informed, involved and speaking with their children about safety issues.
These practical tools can be downloaded in English below.
To read the Introductory self-assessment tool for organisations and the Guide for parents and carers in different community languages, see the National Office for Child Safety web page.
Tools for organisations
Download the Charter of Commitment to Children and Young People:
Download the Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy template:
Download the example Child Safe Code of Conduct:
Download the Checklist for online safety:
Access the Introductory self-assessment tool for organisations through the Learning hub.
Tools for parents and carers
Download the Guide for parents and carers:
