Child Safe Council
Glen Innes Severn Council is committed to instilling the NSW Child Safe Standards throughout our organisational culture and operations. This dedication is focused on preventing abuse and ensuring the safety, welfare and well-being of the children and young individual whom Council has contact.
On 25 May 2023, Council adopted a new Child Safe Policy. This Policy sets out Council’s commitment to a child safe culture, including expectations of all those who provide services for children and young people on behalf of Council, or who otherwise provide programs and activities for children and young people at Council owned or controlled facilities.
How to Report Child Protection Concerns
If a child is in immediate danger call the Police on 000 (triple zero).
If you think a child or young person is at risk of harm from abuse or neglect, contact the Child Protection Helpline on 132 111.
Who can report child safety concerns?
Anyone can report child safety concerns, Council recognises that the safety and wellbeing of children and young people is everyone's responsibility and is implemented organisation wide. Reports can come from:
- Parent or carer
- Child
- Community member
- Council official, including employees, volunteers, contractors/sub-contractors and elected members
What you can report?
Any child safety concerns, including:
- Disclosure of abuse or harm
- Allegation, suspicion or observation
- Breach of the Child Safe Code of Conduct
- General safety or environmental concerns
You can also report child protection concerns involving a Glen Innes Severn Council Councillor, employee, contractor or volunteer to Council's Complaints Coordinator.
Who to report your concerns to?
Council's Complaints Coordinator
Call: (02) 6730 2300 between 8.30am - 5pm Monday to Friday and ask to speak to the Complaints Coordinator.
Email: council@gisc.nsw.gov.au.
Through a face-to-face meeting: Please use one of the contact methods above to request a meeting.
Child Safe Helplines and Resources
Support Services
Confidential counselling is available for people of all ages by telephone or online.
Kids Helpline
The Kids Helpline is for children and young people aged 5 to 25 year. All issues are confidential, and phone counselling is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
headspace
headspace is for 12 to 25 year olds for all issues. Phone counselling or on-line chat with a clinician is available 9am – 1am, 7 days a week.
Lifeline
All ages, all issues. Counselling is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Beyond Blue
All ages, all issues. Phone and online chat counselling is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Blueknot
Adults who have experienced childhood trauma and abuse. Helpline and support service, 9am – 5pm, 7 days a week.
External Resources
Child Protection Helpline
If you think a child or young person is at risk of harm from abuse or neglect, the Child Protection Helpline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
NSW Communities and Justice
The Department of Community Justice (DCJ) works with children. They are committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people and protecting them from risk of harm, abuse and neglect.
The Office of the Children’s Guardian
The Office of the Children’s Guardian (OCG) regulate and oversee organisations in NSW to uphold children and young people’s right to be safe.
Council's Child Safety Framework
Child Safe Policy
Child Safe Standards Statement of Commitment Poster
Code of Conduct
The NSW Child Safe Standards
The NSW Child Safe Standards provide a framework for creating child safe organisations. They are designed to drive cultural change to create, maintain and improve child safe practices. When organisations apply the Standards they build a culture where abuse of children is prevented, responded to and reported.
The Standards are based on the extensive research and consultation by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. They provide clear guidance for organisations to create cultures, adopt strategies and act to put the interests of children first to keep them safe from harm.
