Child safe organisation
Addressing child safety and wellbeing – Our commitment
In serving and benefitting our community, the University is entrusted to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children and young people who participate in our learning activities or attend our campuses and premises.
We understand that everyone working with children shares responsibility for their care and we are committed to providing a child safe environment where we identify and manage potential risks to children.
The University does not tolerate any form of abuse or harm to children. All children have the right to be safe.
What is the University doing?
We are:
- Implementing a Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy that places obligations on leaders, staff and volunteers to act ethically towards children and to identify and manage safety and wellbeing risks to children
- Implementing the NSW Child Safe Standards and National Principles for Child Safe Organisations in the activities, programs and research that involves children
- Actively ensuring suitable accommodation and welfare arrangements for our under 18’s international students
- Undertaking checks to ensure anyone engaged to provide a service to children is suitable to work with children
- Tracking and recording Working With Children Checks in accordance with the Child Protection (Working With Children) Act 2012 and advice received from the Office of the Children’s Guardian
- Implementing the requirements of the NSW reportable conduct scheme which includes the investigation and reporting of any allegations made against relevant workers and volunteers related to harmful conduct towards children
What are the Child Safe Standards and National Principles for Child Safe Organisations?
The Child Safe Standards are drawn from the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations. They are designed to provide tangible guidance for organisations to create cultures, adopt strategies and act to put the interests of children first to keep children safe from harm.
Child Safe Standard 1
Child safety is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture
Child Safe Standard 2
Children participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously
Child Safe Standard 3
Families and communities are informed and involved
Child Safe Standard 4
Equity is upheld, and diverse needs are taken into account
Child Safe Standard 5
People working with children are suitable and supported
Child Safe Standard 6
Processes to respond to complaints of child abuse are child focused
Child Safe Standard 7
Staff are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children safe through continual education and training
Child Safe Standard 8
Physical and online environments minimise the opportunity for abuse to occur
Child Safe Standard 9
Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is continuously reviewed and improved
Child Safe Standard 10
Policies and procedures document how the organisation is child safe
The Child Safe Standards are set out in section 8C of the Children's Guardian Act 2019.
How to report a child safety concern or incident
If you or a child are in immediate danger, call triple zero (000) for emergency services. Calling the police is the best way to get help in an emergency.
If an incident occurs on campus, you can also call 02 4921 5888 (Campus Security).
If you are concerned a child or young person is at risk of serious harm (through abuse, neglect or danger caused to themself), you can contact the NSW Child Protection Helpline on 13 21 11 (this includes Mandatory Reporters). The Department of Communities and Justice provide information to help you decide if you should make a report.
Anyone can make a report of threatening, concerning or inappropriate behaviour on University Campus to Campus Care by contacting them, or via this secure online form.
If you are concerned that a University employee or volunteer has potentially caused harm to a child, this may need to be managed under the University’s procedures for Reportable Conduct and reported via the Vice Chancellor to the Office of Children’s Guardian. If staff become aware of such allegations or information related to child safety, please report as soon as possible to your manager and/or inform your Human Resources Business Partner or Legal and Compliance so that this can be escalated and managed appropriately.
Provide feedback
If you have any feedback, concerns or questions, please contact us.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.