Our commitment to child safety
At Fair Foundations, the safety and wellbeing of every child is a shared responsibility we carry with care and purpose.
We are committed to creating environments where children and young people feel safe, respected, included and heard. This commitment is embedded across all areas of our organisation, from leadership and policies to the everyday interactions we have with children, young people, and their families. It applies to everyone involved in our work, including staff, volunteers, students, contractors, families and members of the wider community.
A culture of safety and respect
Child safety is part of who we are and how we work. It guides how we lead, how we listen and how we support children, young people and families each day. Our practices are grounded in the NSW Government’s Office of the Children’s Guardian Child Safe Standards and strengthened by a culture of inclusion, accountability and continuous learning.
Understanding the Child Safe Standards
Download the Child Safe Standards from the NSW Government’s Office of the Children’s Guardian, available in English and other languages. These standards provide a clear framework for creating child safe organisations and environments for children and young people.
How we put children’s safety and wellbeing first
Children’s safety and wellbeing guide every part of our work. From recruitment and training to daily interactions and program planning, we take a whole-of-organisation approach to creating safe and inclusive spaces where children feel supported and empowered.
Here’s how we put this into practice:
1. Embedding safety in leadership and culture
Our leaders and staff work together to create a culture where child safety is everyone’s responsibility.
- Child safety is built into decision-making, planning and risk management
- Safe practices are championed across all teams and settings
- Every team member understands their role in keeping children safe
- Child safety is part of everyday conversations and reflections
- We teach children and young people about their rights and create space for their voices to be heard and valued
2. Building a safe and skilled workforce
Everyone who works with children is properly screened, trained and supported.
- All staff and volunteers are subject to thorough background checks and must hold a valid Working with Children Check
- Staff and volunteers understand and follow all child safe policies and standards, including the code of conduct
- Behaviour guidelines set clear expectations for safe and respectful interactions with children
- Ongoing training keeps our teams informed, skilled and confident in their responsibilities
3. Listening to and partnering with children and families
We believe children, young people, and families know their own lives best. Their voices guide how we create safe, supportive and inclusive services.
- Children and young people are given a range of age-appropriate ways to express what makes them feel safe
- Families are encouraged to be involved in our service planning and to share their feedback
- Parents and caregivers are central to our commitment to the Child Safe Standards, with regular opportunities to participate, including through parent advisory groups
- Information is shared in ways that are clear, accessible and respectful
- All feedback is welcomed and responded to with care and transparency
4. Respecting diversity in all we do
We value the diverse backgrounds, cultures and experiences of every child and family we work with.
- We respect and reflect children’s cultural identities in our programs and daily practices
- We take time to learn about different cultures and create opportunities to share these with children
- We are committed to inclusive, equitable service delivery that respects all abilities and needs
- We recognise that some children and young people may be more vulnerable or face barriers to speaking up, and we create multiple safe ways for them to share how they’re feeling and seek support
5. Creating safe environments
Children’s safety is embedded in every part of our environment, both physical and online.
- Clear rules are in place to support physical and online safety
- Staff and volunteers are trained to recognise signs of harm and follow clear steps to report any concerns
- Safety and maintenance issues are addressed promptly
- We minimise risk through planning, visibility and supervision
Continuous improvement
Our commitment to child safety is something we live every day through the actions we take, the relationships we build and the culture we create. It is a shared responsibility that ensures every child can feel safe, supported and heard.