Y Geelong Board Statement
Safeguarding Children and Young People - Child Safety Statement
At the Y, keeping children and young people safe is our highest priority.We want all children and young people to feel safe and be safe in their families, communities, and at the Y.
Childhood and youth are times to have fun, be carefree, and enjoy life. Children and young people have the right to live a full life and be protected from harm.
We are committed to upholding these rights and safeguarding children and young people, which is why we've developed a Safeguarding Framework that guides everything we do around child safety.
Our Safeguarding Framework focuses on:
- A safe culture nationally which empowers children and young people by promoting person-focused leadership and governance.
- Safe operations to ensure Y people have the right policies, processes, procedures, clearances, and practices to keep children and young people safe.
- Safe environments at the Y and in the communities, which empower children and young people to have a voice and thrive.
We aim to see the world through the eyes of children and young people to make sure that we understand what they need to feel safe and be safe.
We are committed to listening to children and young people, empowering them to speak up, and amplifying their voices. This includes those from diverse backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people, those living with disabilities, those from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and those who identify as LGBTQIASB+.
The Y is committed to developing our people's skills through ongoing training to assist everyone in understanding their roles and responsibilities to act in the best interests of children and young people and to provide them with the tools that will help them do that. We develop training to help individuals apply trauma-informed practices in their work.
Our principles are clear: if you say something, hear something, or feel something that makes you feel worried or concerned, you can tell somebody at the Y. We are committed to taking the appropriate steps in reporting and responding to any incidents of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or concerning behavior.
| Joel Williamson President |
Shona Eland CEO |
Annabel Watson Board - Safeguard Level |
May 2025
The Y Geelong have been independently reviewed by the Australian Childhood Foundation and have achieved the highest rating against national standards.
Our Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy and Procedures detail our legal, moral and Mission-driven responsibility to protect children and young people from harm and ensure our staff have a detailed understanding of the policy and their vital role in creating a culture where children and young people’s wellbeing is safeguarded.
Statement of Commitment The Y and its Board of Directors have a zero-tolerance approach towards any form of child abuse or neglect. We are committed to the rights of children and young people to feel safe and be safe when participating in our organisation's activities, including those from an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, from a culturally and linguistically diverse background, with a disability, mental illness or in the LGBTQIA+ community.
- Protect children, young people and vulnerable adults from all forms of abuse, bullying and exploitation by our people and take the appropriate steps to report and respond to any incidents of abuse, neglect or exploitation brought to the attention of the Y
- Be aware of, and familiar with, the Y National Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy and Y Geelong Safeguarding Children and Young Policy Procedures including any incidents of abuse and neglect occurring outside the scope of the Y’s operations and services which may impact on children, young people and vulnerable adults
- Create and maintain a safe culture and secure environment that is child focused, transparent and respectful by all the individuals who work for, volunteer or access programs and services at the Y Geelong.
- Ensure no one feels threatened, afraid or unsafe and where they are aware of how, and comfortable to, raise any concerns or issues with Y staff, knowing that concern or issue will be acted on appropriately and taken seriously.
- A safe culture nationally which empowers Children and Young People by promoting Children and Young Person focused leadership and governance;
- Safe environments at the Y and in Communities which empower Children and Young People to thrive; and
- Safe operations to ensure Y People have the right policies, processes and practices to keep Children and Young People safe.
