Report child safety concerns related to a parent or carer
If you are a child or young person
Tell an adult you trust. This might be a parent, family member, teacher, welfare officer, coach, doctor, or therapist. It can also be someone you trust from one of our services or programs you attend, like a nurse, swim teacher, youth worker, librarian, family support case worker, early childhood educator/teacher, school crossing supervisor, or even a customer service officer.
You can also go to your local police station to make a report or call 000.
If you are an adult
Report child safety concerns related to Council
If the report is related to a Moonee Valley City Council staff member, volunteer, Councillor or contractor you can report the matter via the Council:
- Contact our Child Safe Officer at childsafe@mvcc.vic.gov.au
- See Reportable Conduct Scheme.
We are a child safe organisation
Statement of commitment:
Moonee Valley City Council is committed to being a child safe organisation and has a zero tolerance for child abuse or racism. All children and young people are valued members of our community and have the right to be and feel safe.
We are committed to embedding child safety into the everyday thinking and practice. We require all our councillors, employees, labour hire staff, contractors, work experience students over the age of 18 and volunteers to understand and act to prevent, detect, respond and report any suspicion of child abuse. We encourage and maintain a culture of child safety, where children are supported to express their individuality and enjoy their cultural rights. We have specific policies, procedures and training in place to achieve these commitments.
We embrace diversity, equity and inclusion. All children and young people, regardless of their age, gender, identity, sexual orientation, race, religious beliefs, ability, family or social background, have equal rights to protection from abuse.
We acknowledge and respect the unique histories of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and understand the importance of this heritage and culture on the participation, inclusivity and wellbeing of Aboriginal children. We have zero tolerance against racism, actively promote cultural respect and support cultural safety.
We commit to creating environments where all children and young people have a voice. We acknowledge their right to ‘have a say’ about the things that are important to them, and we value their feedback. We commit to paying particular attention to ensure accessible and culturally safe information and engagement opportunities.
We commit to listening to and respecting their views and ensuring they contribute to how we plan and design our services, programs, projects, facilities and public spaces.
Wellbeing support for children and young people
Kids Helpline is a free 24/7, private counselling service specifically for children and young people aged 5 to 25 years. They can be contacted for any reason via online chat, phone, or email.
Victorian Child Safe Standards
The Child Safe Standards are a set of eleven standards that aim to create and maintain safe environments for children and young people.
The Standards came into effect in Victoria in January 2016. Further changes to the Standards came into force on 1 July 2022 to make the Standards even stronger.
The Child Safe Standards aim to:
- Promote the safety of children and young people
- Prevent child abuse
- Ensure organisations have effective processes in place to respond to and report allegations of child abuse
- Encourage children and young people to ‘have a say’, especially on issues that are important to them or about decisions that affect their lives.
Although all children are vulnerable, some face extra vulnerabilities. Council, therefore, pays particular attention to the needs of children and young people:
- with a disability
- from CALD backgrounds
- who are unable to live at home
- who are LGBTQIA+
More information about the Victorian Child Safe Standards and Reportable Conduct Scheme, including translated resources, can be found at the Commission of Children and Young People .
Reportable Conduct Scheme
The Reportable Conduct Scheme (RCS) outlined as part 5A of the Act, provides the framework for improved organisational responses to allegations of child abuse and neglect committed by their employees, workers and volunteers.
There are 5 types of reportable conduct :
- sexual offences committed against, with or in the presence of a child.
- sexual misconduct committed against, with or in the presence of a child.
- physical violence against, with or in the presence of a child.
- any behaviour that causes significant emotional or psychological harm to a child.
- significant neglect of a child.
The RCS requires Council to respond to allegations of child-related misconduct made against current employees, volunteers, contractors, labour hire employees, volunteers and workplace students. It requires Council to report allegations to the Social Services Regulator (SSR) as well as investigate allegations within specified timeframes, with the SSR overseeing the investigations.
Resources for parents and carers
Parents and carers frequently choose activities, services or programs for children. To be confident children are welcome and safe when attending an activity or service, there are a range of issues that need to be considered.
The following resources may be of assistance.
- Kids Helpline (Parents)
- eSafety Commissioner
- Safe and Equal
- Emerging Minds
- Australian Human Rights Commission
- What to look for in a child safe organisation
- Teaching your child to keep themselves safe
- A guide for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents and carers
- Information on cultural differences and conflict
- When a child discloses abuse it can be hard to know how to respond.
Other useful resources
Child safe related laws
If you need more information you can:
Call and speak to someone on 8601 5281
Email: contact@ccyp.vic.gov.au
Visit the Commission for Children and Young People’s website .