Child Safeguarding Policy
Our commitment to the safety and wellbeing of children.
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Kindred Pathways is committed to the safety and wellbeing of every child connected to our work. We have zero tolerance for child abuse, exploitation or harm of any kind. This statement sets out our commitment and how we act on it. It is supported by our internal policies and procedures.
Who this applies to
This commitment applies to everyone connected to Kindred Pathways: our board, staff, volunteers and contractors, and the partner organisations we work with to reach communities.
The standards we follow
We align our approach with the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations, and with Australian laws on child safety, including the Child Safe Standards and Working With Children Check requirements that apply in New South Wales. Because we work overseas, we also meet the ACNC External Conduct Standards, which require us to protect people, including children, who are vulnerable to abuse or exploitation in our overseas work. We require our local partners in the Philippines to uphold equivalent child protection standards.
How we keep children safe
- Leadership and culture. Child safety is owned by our board and built into how we work, not treated as an afterthought.
- Suitable people. We screen the people in roles that involve children, including reference and background checks and Working With Children Checks where they apply, and we support them to act safely.
- Clear expectations. Everyone connected to our work follows a code of conduct that sets out expected behaviour and what is never acceptable.
- Listening to children. We respect children's rights, listen to them, and take what they tell us seriously.
- Families and communities. We involve families and communities, and we work in ways that are culturally safe and respectful.
- Safe environments, including online. We protect children's dignity and privacy in everything we publish. We never share images or information that could identify or put a child at risk without proper, informed consent.
- Training and review. We build awareness among our people, and we review and improve our practices over time.
- Working through trusted partners. We carry out due diligence on partner organisations, require them to have child protection measures, and keep records of our overseas work.
Reporting a concern
If you have a concern about the safety of a child connected to our work, please tell us straight away at support@kindredpathways.org.au. We will act promptly. If a child is in immediate danger, call 000 in Australia, or your local emergency number. We report serious concerns to the police and the relevant child protection authorities, in Australia and, through our partners, in the Philippines.
Contact us
For anything relating to child safety, email support@kindredpathways.org.au.