Child Safety and Wellbeing

At Guide Dogs Victoria, the safety and wellbeing of every child and young person comes first. We are committed to creating a culturally safe, inclusive and supportive environment where children feel respected and heard.

Download Child Safeguarding Policy
A young family with a toddler sit on grass and have a laugh.

On this page:

Our commitment to child safety

Guide Dogs Victoria is a safe place for all children

Guide Dogs Victoria has zero tolerance for child abuse, racism, discrimination or inequality.

We are committed to:

  • Protecting children and young people from harm
  • Creating environments where children feel safe and empowered
  • Respecting children’s rights, identity, relationships and culture
  • Ensuring children’s voices are heard and acted upon
  • Supporting families and carers as partners in child safety

We aim to foster a culture where safety is embedded in everything we do.

How we keep children safe

We have strong policies, procedures and safeguards in place

These include:

  1. Ensuring all Guide Dogs Victoria staff and volunteers undergo a Working with Children Check and Police Check or National Disability Worker Screening Check where appropriate. 
  2. Having a Child Safeguarding Policy and child safe training for our staff and volunteers 
  3. Ensuring safe environments both online and in person 
  4. Ensuring Children are free to express and enjoy their culture 
  5. Training our staff to recognise and respond to suspected child abuse/harm and get you the help you need 
  6. Making sure our organisation is fair and inclusive of children
  7. Encouraging children to speak freely and tell us if something is wrong 

We encourage children to speak up if something doesn’t feel right, and we ensure concerns are taken seriously.

For more information, please refer to our Child Safeguarding Policy,Child Safeguarding Framework and our Child Safe Booklet / Child Safe Booklet (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander People) and posters (Children’s Poster/ Adult’s Poster).

Yellow Labrador Lockie sits in the middle of three people, smiling and patting him.
What to do if you have a concern

Contact our Child Safety Officer

If your child feels unsafe, or if you have any concerns about their wellbeing while engaging with Guide Dogs Victoria, we encourage you to contact us immediately.

You can also confidentially contact Guide Dogs Victoria Child Safety Officer, Nicky Long, CEO by phone on +61 3 9372 4142 or by email at NickyL@guidedogsvictoria.com.au

All concerns and complaints are taken seriously and handled with care and sensitivity.

Statement of Commitment to Child Safety

Guide Dogs Victoria is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.

We aim to foster a culturally safe, child safe and child friendly environment for all children and young people we have contact with, deliver services to, or are impacted by our work. We seek to prevent harm of any kind impacting children and young people and have zero tolerance for child abuse, racism and inequality.

We recognise the individual needs of children with disability and their additional vulnerability to risks. Children and young people’s rights, relationships, identity, and culture must be recognised and respected, their voices heard, and their concerns acted upon.

If you feel unsafe, please contact Guide Dogs Victoria Child Safety Officer, Nicky Long, CEO by phone on +61 3 9372 4142 or by email at NickyL@guidedogsvictoria.com.au.

Victorian Child Safe Standards

11 Child Safe Standards

Guide Dogs Victoria complies with the 11 Victorian Child Safe Standards. These standards require organisations to:

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.

Child being held by his dad.
Additional Support

Support Services

If you or your child would like additional independent support, the following services are available 24/7:

  • Lifeline: A 24/7 mental health support service.
  • 13Yarn: A 24/7 crisis support service for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.
  • Kids Helpline: A 24/7 counselling service for children and young people.
  • 1800 Respect: A referral service for those impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence. 
  • No To Violence: A referral service for those impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence.
  • eSafety for Parents: Online safety advice and support for parents and carers.

For additional resources of Child Safety, visit the Commission for Children and Young People website.