Standard 1

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Child safety is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture

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We are committed to embedding child safety at CosCare. To reinforce a child-safe culture, our educators are actively involved in the development and review of our policies through team meetings and dedicated agenda items. Our policies include strategies for embedding child safety across all levels of our organisational structure, including within our probation, induction, and orientation processes, as well as our Code of Conduct. Relevant support materials on reporting obligations are included in the policy folder and displayed in the staff sign-in area. The policy review timeline is recorded in our comprehensive Policy and Procedure Checklist, which includes both regulated policies required under the Education and Care Services National Regulations [Regulations 168, 169].​

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Our Child Safe Policies clearly outline reporting obligations and are regularly updated and communicated to the team. These policies are readily available and accessible to both families and staff, located in the service’s sign-in area or available upon request via email.

A Statement of Commitment to Child Safety has been developed, and risk mitigation strategies have been implemented, including the presence of an additional staff member above ratio during each morning and afternoon session. We have also established a Child Safe Action Plan, and leadership team members actively model a strong child safety culture. Our commitment to child safety is embedded in our service philosophy and reflected in our everyday practice.

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All permanent staff are required to complete the accredited 8-hour Child Protection course CHCPRT025 – Identify and Report Children and Young People at Risk, which focuses on responding to children at risk of harm. We require staff to review this every 18 months in line with best practice. Additionally, all educators are expected to complete the NSW Government’s Child Protection module upon commencement of their role.

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Standard 2

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Children participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.

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At CosCare, we are committed to empowering children and creating an environment where their voices are heard, respected, and acted upon. Our policies and educational programs support children's empowerment. We maintain a feedback loop, so children can safely express any concerns or grievances. Educators actively support and encourage children to use their voices through intentional programming and daily interactions.

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We involve children in conversations around risk assessments, inviting them to help identify potential risks during activities and excursions through age-appropriate discussions and tailored activities. Each activity planned by educators must assess and evaluate any potential risk factors. We are currently developing a Child-Friendly Statement of Commitment to Child Safety and a Child-Friendly Code of Conduct, making our approach to safety clear and accessible to all children in our care.

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In addition, we provide access to support resources, including eSafety information and details about child support agencies such as Kids Helpline. Children are informed about how to report any concerns if they feel unsafe online or in any other setting. By embedding these practices in our everyday work, we help children understand their rights, feel safe speaking up, and know they will be listened to and believed.

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​​Standard 3​

 

Families and communities are informed and involved.​

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At CosCare, we actively engage families in our service to promote a strong, inclusive child safety culture. We have processes in place to ensure that families who speak languages other than English can access and understand child safety information. This includes translation options and Easy Read resources for those who speak English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D). Key child safety information is also included in our parent handbook.

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We simplify key messages and provide translations in languages relevant to our community, supporting culturally safe conversations about child protection and wellbeing.

Our child safety policies clearly outline appropriate ways for families to raise concerns or provide feedback. We also involve families in the development and review of policies, communicating via email to ensure their voices are heard and valued in shaping a safe environment for all children.

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Standard 4

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Equity is upheld and diverse needs are taken into account.

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At CosCare, we are committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all children, regardless of age, ability, cultural background, or individual needs. We uphold equity in our organisation, ensuring that diverse needs are recognised and supported. Our policies and procedures reflect the diversity of our service community and guide our practices to ensure every child feels seen, heard, and supported.

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Our Child Safe Risk Minimisation and Action Plan considers the unique experiences and vulnerabilities of children with additional needs or from diverse cultural backgrounds, ensuring an equitable approach to safety and wellbeing. Our "Around the World" program wall reflects our attitudes toward diversity by acknowledging the demographics of the families in our service and incorporating important cultural celebrations into our programming.

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We follow an Anti-Bias and Inclusion Policy, and our Strategic Inclusion Plan guides the use of inclusive books, activities, and resources tailored to the needs of all children.

By embedding equity into our daily programming and long-term planning, we promote a strong sense of belonging and respect for all children and their families.

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Standard 5

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People working with children are suitable and supported.

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At CosCare, we take all necessary steps to ensure that the people working with children are not only suitable but also supported to uphold a strong child-safe culture.

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As part of our safeguarding and recruitment process, all educators are required to provide a valid Working With Children Check (WWCC) and as an additional measure we now ask for a National Police Check, and undergo a prohibition check. During induction, we complete reference checks that include specific screening questions relating to child safety. Educators must also read and understand their obligations as mandatory reporters, complete the 45-minute Mandatory Reporter Training Module (NSW Government), and review all child safety policies before commencing floor time with children. We have policies in place for the management of conflicts of interest, and all staff are made aware of their responsibilities as mandatory reporters, including how to identify and respond to incidents, disclosures, and suspicions of child abuse.

 

Our Conflict of Interest Policy outlines how these situations are managed. We also have a system in place for checking the validity of Working with Children Checks for all staff and anyone else interacting with children at the service including expiration dates and when renewal is required. 

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Regular training and supervision are provided to ensure all educators remain informed, confident, and supported in their child safety responsibilities.

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Standard 6

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Processes to respond to complaints of child abuse (or other concerns) are child focused.

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We know that child-safe cultures create environments where concerns and complaints can be raised, heard, and responded to appropriately. At CosCare, we actively promote a culture where all staff and volunteers understand their legal and ethical responsibilities to identify and report any suspected harm or abuse.

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Our complaints and concerns processes are child-focused. Educators actively speak with children about their rights, personal safety, and who they can go to if they feel unsafe or worried. We ensure children know the trusted adults in our service and feel empowered to speak up. Visual cues, posters, and language-appropriate resources support children’s understanding.

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Complaints, incidents, and concerns are responded to promptly and confidentially. We have clear procedures in place for documenting, escalating, and addressing any reports of harm, with a strong focus on the child’s safety and emotional wellbeing. Our commitment is not just to compliance, but to fostering a culture where children are listened to, believed, and protected.

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Standard 7

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Staff are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children safe through continual education and training.

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A child-safe organisation promotes continuous learning and provides regular, ongoing education and training. At CosCare, we are committed to ongoing learning and continuous improvement in all areas of child safety and protection. All employees receive comprehensive child protection training as part of their mandatory induction, including completion of the NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian (OCG) Child Safe eLearning modules.

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In addition to induction, permanent staff refresh their child protection training every 18 months to ensure their knowledge remains current and aligned with best practices. Training covers key areas such as identifying and responding to abuse, reporting obligations, and creating safe environments for all children.

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Child safety is regularly discussed during team meetings, policy reviews, and professional development sessions, supporting a strong and evolving child-safe culture.

We promote a learning environment where staff feel confident, informed, and empowered to uphold their responsibilities in keeping children safe.

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Standard 8​

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Physical and online environments minimise the opportunity for abuse (or other kinds of harm) to occur.​

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A child-safe organisation adapts its physical environments to minimise opportunities for abuse to occur. Our organisation ensures daily risk assessments are conducted using indoor and outdoor safety checklists to maintain a safe physical environment. SunSmart UV ratings guide decisions around sun exposure, and outdoor areas are adjusted accordingly during peak times. All equipment is fit for purpose in line with the National Quality Standard – Quality Area 3. Risks identified in our Child Safe Risk Assessment Action Plan are documented and accessible in the Child Safe Scheme folder available at our service. Staffing ratios of 1:15 in-centre, 1:8 on excursions, and 1:5 in or near water (unless a Risk Assessment determines the need for smaller ratios) are maintained to ensure active supervision, supported by policies such as our Physical Environment and Supervision Policy.

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For online environments, we have clear policies including our Cyber Safety Policy, Digital Safety and Self Policy, and Safe Use of Digital Technologies Policy. We educate children about online safety through appropriate learning activities and discussions. Online platforms such as Explore, used for parent communication, comply with the Privacy Act 1988. At enrolment, we seek consent for the collection and use of children’s images as part of our program. Our practices align with data privacy requirements under the Education and Care Services National Regulations and Law.

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Children's use of digital devices is monitored by educators and supported by secure systems, including password protection, appropriate content filters, and child-friendly search engines like Kiddle. We also researched different online safety providers and chose Qustodio as the most suitable option for our childcare service. Qustodio helps us protect children online by monitoring activity, filtering inappropriate content, setting screen time limits, and promoting safe and responsible use of technology. Children are not allowed to use communication technologies such as laptops or iPad for music without educator supervision. Devices are set with privacy controls in line with legislation, and educators engage in professional learning modules focused on e-safety. Devices used by our educators are screened for potential viruses and threats to safety or information security. Our policies outline how children, families, and staff can raise concerns about digital or physical environments, reflecting our ongoing commitment to creating a safe and supportive space for all children.

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Standard 9

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Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is continuously reviewed and improved.​

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Our organisation recognises that maintaining a child-safe environment requires ongoing effort and reflection. Staff are regularly given time during team meetings to review and discuss child safety policies and procedures, considering how they can be improved. We use a comprehensive policy review checklist that includes timelines and ensures alignment with the Child Safe Standards. The Child Safe Scheme is embedded across relevant policies, orientation modules, and procedural documents.

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To support continuous improvement, we analyse complaints, incidents, accidents, and injury or trauma reports to identify areas for development and enhancement. We also review internal guidance documents, grievance forms, equipment and maintenance records, and relevant audit outcomes. This process allows us to strengthen our practices and respond proactively to emerging risks or issues related to child safety.

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Staff are consistently involved in improvement processes and are kept informed of changes through multiple channels, including daily 2:30 pm huddles, monthly staff meetings, and email communication. This regular engagement ensures that all team members are aware of updates, can contribute ideas for better practice, and remain committed to fostering a safe and supportive environment for every child.

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Standard 10

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Standard 10 Policies and procedures document how the organisation is child safe

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Our organisation’s policies and procedures are developed to reflect and uphold all 10 Child Safe Standards. These standards are embedded throughout our operational documents and are reviewed regularly to ensure alignment with best practice and current legislative requirements. Policies are written in clear, accessible language to support staff understanding and effective implementation.

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We have a structured review process in place to update policies, and all changes are clearly communicated to staff. There is a system for staff to record when they have read, signed, and understood each policy, particularly after updates. Families also have ready access to our policies and procedures, which are displayed and available through our parent communication platforms.

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We maintain a clear process for identifying and managing breaches of policy. This ensures accountability and supports a culture of safety and transparency. All staff are aware of the reporting and response procedures and are supported through ongoing training and communication to uphold their responsibilities under the Child Safe Standards.

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Updated 9.09.2025 adapted from the Office of the Children's Guardian Child safe Standards Media Kit

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