Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy
El Rahman Inc.
Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy
Purpose
El Rahman Inc. is committed to promoting and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all children.
This Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy (the Policy) demonstrates El Rahman is committed to protecting children. It outlines the obligations that all leaders, employees, and volunteers must uphold.
This Policy also details how El Rahman responds to allegations of child abuse and child-related misconduct in accordance with the Reportable Conduct Scheme.
Scope
This Policy applies to all El Rahman employees and volunteers. It also applies to third-party contractors and any employees or volunteers from external organisations who engage with El Rahman Inc.
Policy statement
El Rahman is committed to creating a child-safe environment that empowers all children to thrive and develop. We act in the best interests of children by:
Upholding children’s rights
Maintaining zero tolerance for all forms of child abuse and misconduct
Reporting all incidents of child abuse and misconduct to relevant authorities
Treating all allegations of child abuse and misconduct with the utmost seriousness
Providing all employees and volunteers with appropriate training, including education on the Victorian Child Safe Standards and the Reportable Conduct Scheme
Ensuring leaders and managers receive training to understand their responsibilities and accountabilities
El Rahman Inc. creates a child-safe environment by:
Providing a culturally safe environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
Ensuring accessibility for children with disabilities
Delivering trauma-informed care to children who have experienced or are experiencing trauma
Engaging families and guardians in all interactions involving children
Implementing risk management practices to minimise the risk of abuse (e.g. ensuring youth programs are supervised by more than one adult)
In addition:
All employees and volunteers must hold a valid Working with Children Check
This Policy is publicly available and accessible
This Policy will be reviewed every two years to ensure it remains current
Reporting
All employees, volunteers, and contractors must report any child abuse, misconduct, or inappropriate behaviour to complaints@elrahman.org.au or their manager.
Members of the public are also encouraged to report concerns via complaints@elrahman.org.au or to any El Rahman Inc. staff member or volunteer.
All allegations will be:
Taken seriously
Managed in accordance with the Victorian Child Safe Standards and the Reportable Conduct Scheme
Investigated thoroughly and handled with confidentiality
The best interests of the child will guide all actions. Where required, allegations will be escalated to Victoria Police and/or the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing Child Protection services.
Responsibility and Accountability
El Rahman is responsible under the Reportable Conduct Scheme for ensuring all allegations of child abuse, misconduct, and inappropriate behaviour are reported to the relevant authorities.
The Reportable Conduct Scheme covers five types of conduct:
Sexual offences against, with, or in the presence of a child
Sexual misconduct against, with, or in the presence of a child
Physical violence against, with, or in the presence of a child
Behaviour causing significant emotional or psychological harm to a child
Significant neglect of a child
Reportable conduct applies to all staff, volunteers, contractors, and any individuals engaged by El Rahman.
El Rahman, also takes seriously its obligations under the Crimes Act 1958 (Vic):
Failure to Disclose
Any adult who reasonably believes a sexual offence has been committed against a child under 16 must report it to Victoria Police. Failure to do so is a criminal offence.
Failure to Protect
Staff in positions of authority must take reasonable steps to reduce or remove risks of sexual abuse posed by an adult associated with the organisation. Failure to act may constitute a criminal offence.
Roles and Responsibilities
Board: Provides strategic guidance on child safety and wellbeing.
Founders: Accountable for compliance with the Reportable Conduct Scheme and for ensuring this Policy is implemented and reviewed every two years.
Managers: Ensure all staff, volunteers, and contractors are aware of this Policy and escalate all allegations of abuse or misconduct.
Staff, Volunteers, and Contractors: Must comply with this Policy and all related procedures, including reporting obligations.
Non-compliance
Failure to comply with this Policy constitutes a breach of contract. Staff, volunteers, and contractors may face disciplinary action, including dismissal, depending on the circumstances.
Related organizational policies and procedures /supporting material
Privacy Policy
Working Health and Safety Policy
Legislative context
National legislation
Privacy Act 1988 (Cth)
Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 (Cth) (AHRC Act)
Convention of the Rights of the Child – AHRC Act Part III Schedule 3
Family Law Act 1975 (Cth)
National Principles for Child Safe Organisations
The National Principles for Child Safe Organisations set out a nationally consistent approach to promoting a culture of child safety and wellbeing within organisations.
The National Principles for Child Safe Organisations are:
Principle 1: Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture.
Principle 2: Children and young people are informed about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.
Principle 3: Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.
Principle 4: Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice.
Principle 5: People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice.
Principle 6: Processes to respond to complaints and concerns are child focused.
Principle 7: Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training.
Principle 8: Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed.
Principle 9: Implementation of the national child safe principles is regularly reviewed and improved.
Principle 10: Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people.
Victorian State legislation
Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic)
Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (Vic)
Children Youth and families Act 2005 (Vic)
Crimes Act 1958 (Vic)
Working with Children Act 2005 (Vic)
Children Legislation Amendment (Reportable Conduct) Act 2017 (Vic)
Child Wellbeing and Safety Amendment Act 2015 (Vic)
Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 (Vic)
Victorian Child Safe Standards
El Rahman Inc. is required by law to abide by the Victorian Child Safe Standards (The Standards).
The Standards aim to promote the safety of children, prevent child abuse, and ensure organisation have effective processes in palace to respond to and report all allegations of child abuse.
The Standards are:
Standard 1: Organisations establish a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children and young people are respected and valued.
Standard 2: Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership governance and culture.
Standard 3: Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.
Standard 4: Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.
Standard 5: Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice.
Standard 6: People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice.
Standard 7: Processes for complaints and concerns are child focused
Standard 8: Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training.
Standard 9: Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed.
Standard 10: Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved.
Standard 11: Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people.
Definitions and abbreviations
Child: A person under 18 years of age
Contact with a child: Includes physical, face-to-face, written, and electronic communication
Child abuse: Any behaviour causing physical and/or emotional harm to a child
Child misconduct: Any behaviour causing physical, emotional, or psychological harm
Review
El Rahman Inc.’s Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy will be reviewed every two years.
This policy was created on the 25 of May 2026.