Module 2: Child safe, child friendly playgroups Step 1 of 8 12% In this module you will learn about … Ensuring playgroups are child safe, child friendly spaces You will learn: what ‘child safe’ and ‘child friendly’ mean at playgroups responsibilities of playgroup leaders, staff and volunteers, and the processes to follow to support playgroups to be child safe spaces. Activities in this module include reading, reflective questions and a multiple choice question. You will also be provided with resources to display at playgroup. Once you have completed the quiz, entered your email and submitted your answers, you will receive a copy of the quiz, as will a designated staff member of Playgroup Tasmania. We estimate it will take you the following amount of time to complete this module and its activities on your own. You can save your progress and come back to it later. Just click the 'Save' button at the bottom of the page when you need to take a break. Module reading and activities: 45 minutes. Optional reading: 45 minutes. Total time: About 1.5 hours. If you have any questions or would like a hard copy version of the site content, please contact Playgroup Tasmania. You will find tips on how to use this site in our FAQs. What are child safe, child friendly spaces? Playgroup Tasmania believes that all children have the right to live safely – emotionally, mentally and physically and endorses the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Child safe, child friendly spaces: create an environment where children’s safety and wellbeing are the centre of thought, values and actions place emphasis on genuine engagement with, and valuing of children create conditions that reduce the likelihood of harm to children and young people create conditions that increase the likelihood of identifying any harm, and respond to any concerns, disclosures, allegations or suspicions. Why do we need playgroups to be child safe and child friendly? Safety is a universal human right. Playgroup Tasmania is committed to promoting and protecting the safety and wellbeing of all children at all times and in all circumstances when involved with our organisation. Everyone has a role to play in keeping children safe from harm and creating child safe and child friendly environments. The National Principles for Child Safe Organisations developed by the Australian Human Rights Commission outline the importance of all organisations having effective policies and procedures that document how the organisation is safe for children and young people. The National Principles also emphasise the importance of embedding child safety and wellbeing in organisational leadership, governance and culture. Reflective question Playgroup Tasmania is committed to promoting and protecting the safety and wellbeing of all children at all times and in all circumstances when involved with our organisation.What does being safe feel like to you? Are there certain people, places or activities that make you feel safe and loved? Think about where and when you feel safe. Would your children have a similar response? Would children at playgroup have a similar response?Further reading: National Principles for Child Safe Organisations Further reading: United Nations Declaration on the Rights of the Child Next: Playgroup Tasmania’s Code of Conduct. Playgroup Tasmania’s Code of Conduct The Code of Conduct outlines what you as a playgroup leader will and will not do when engaged in activities relating to playgroups. As part of your role as a playgroup leader or volunteer, you are expected to read and sign the Code of Conduct and submit it to Playgroup Tasmania. Examples of things the Code of Conduct asks you to commit to doing include: Act in accordance with Playgroup Tasmania Child Safety and Wellbeing policies and procedures at all times. Behave respectfully, courteously and ethically towards children and their families and towards other staff and volunteers. Create an environment that promotes and enables children’s participation and is welcoming, culturally safe and inclusive for all children and their families. Listen and respond to the views and concerns of children, particularly if they communicate (verbally or non-verbally) that they do not feel safe or well. Examples of things it asks you to commit to not doing include: Engage in any unlawful activity with or in relation to a child. Engage in any activity that is likely to physically, sexually or emotionally harm a child. Unlawfully discriminate against any child or their family members. Be alone with a child unnecessarily. The Code of Conduct also outlines what you commit to doing if you believe it has been breached by another individual involved with Playgroup Tasmania activities, including your playgroup. Activity Read and sign the individual Code of Conduct form. It is very important that you read the Code of Conduct before you sign it so you are fully aware of your responsibilities. You will need someone to act as a witness to you signing the document so Playgroup Tasmania knows you made the decision to sign it for yourself. Playgroup Tasmania will provide you with hard copies to sign. Playgroup will also provide you with a large poster-sized version of the Playgroup Tasmania Statement of Commitment to Child Safety & Wellbeing which we ask you to display at your playgroup. Draw attention to the Statement of Commitment when speaking with parents and carers and encourage them to read it and discuss it with you. Next: Sharing responsibility for child safe spaces. Sharing responsibility for child safe spaces Everyone has a role to play in keeping children safe from harm and creating child safe and child friendly environments. Playgroup Tasmania consulted with parents, children, playgroup leaders and others to develop a Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy that informs our: approach to providing services, creating a child safe and child friendly environment for all children and young people. commitment to a child safe culture across our organisation. responsibilities to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children and young people who use our activities and programs. The policy is an important reference for playgroup leaders as it: details the obligations of Playgroup Tasmania Board, staff, volunteers and community members to act ethically towards children and outlines their roles and responsibilities in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children. gives guidance on the processes and procedures that should be followed so we all aim to ensure children’s safety and wellbeing across all areas of Playgroup Tasmania’s work. Playgroup Tasmania has zero tolerance for child abuse. Activity Playgroup Tasmania will give you with a large, printed version of the Statement of Commitment to Child Safety and Wellbeing to display at your playgroup. If you haven’t received a printed version or would like additional copies, please contact admin@playgrouptas.org.au Please read the Statement of Commitment and encourage other leaders, volunteers, parents and carers to review it when they arrive at playgroup or during your conversations with them throughout the session. View the Playgroup Tasmania Statement of Commitment to Child Safety and Wellbeing poster. Multiple choice questionWho is responsible for aiming to ensure playgroups are child safe spaces? A) Playgroup Tasmania employees B) Playgroup Tasmania Board members C) Playgroup leaders and volunteers D) Contractors and partner organisations working with playgroups E) Playgroup families Select AllWant to know which answer is correct? Yes No All persons involved in the operations of Playgroup Tasmania are responsible for the care and protection of the children in attendance and have obligations to report information about any actual or suspected child abuse or neglect.Next: Your responsibilities as a playgroup leader. Your responsibilities as a playgroup leader All staff and volunteers of Playgroup Tasmania must make sure they: Work within the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations. Promote child safety at all times. Assess the risk of child abuse and neglect within their area of control and remove or minimise any risk to the extent possible. Provide information about the prevention and detection of child abuse and neglect (including information about grooming), and pathways to advice and specialist support. Facilitate the reporting of any inappropriate behaviour or suspected abusive activities to either the Playgroup Tasmania primary contact person or the Advice and Referral Line if there are immediate concerns (1800 000 123). Playgroup Tasmania has developed a visual guide to support you to know when and how to fulfill these responsibilities and take the correct action. View the Child Safety & Wellbeing Process poster All staff, volunteers and contractors share responsibility for the safety and wellbeing of children and must: Familiarise themselves with the relevant laws, the National Principles, the Commonwealth Child Safe Framework and Playgroup Tasmania’s policy and procedures in relation to child safety and wellbeing, and comply with all requirements. Report any reasonable belief that a child’s safety is at risk to the relevant authorities and fulfil any obligations under mandatory reporting legislation. Report any suspicion that a child’s safety may be at risk to their Playgroup Tasmania supervisor (NB this does not negate the responsibility to report to the relevant authorities as outlined above). Provide an environment that is supportive of all children’s emotional and physical safety. Encourage the communities in which you live and are involved to be aware of and informed about child safety and wellbeing. Further reading: Child Abuse terms and definitions’ Next: The role of playgroups in child safety and wellbeing. The role of playgroups in child safety and wellbeing Playgroup Tasmania supports and respects all children, staff and volunteers and is committed to the cultural safety of Aboriginal children, and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and to providing a safe environment for children living with a disability. Playgroup leaders and volunteers are expected to model these commitments by creating safe, inclusive spaces where everyone feels welcome. The overall wellbeing of families contributes to the safety of children, and playgroups can play a significant role in supporting the wellbeing of families. Playgroup participation: Provides for children and families to have contact with other members of their community, building community connections and a sense of belonging. Provides an opportunity for positive parenting strategies to be seen and watched Provide opportunities for children and families to access information and resources about child safety and wellbeing and can be a point of referral into or out of the targeted service system. Creates opportunities for early intervention and prevention which is more effective in the long-term than responding to crises and treating the effects of neglect and abuse. Builds the strengths of families to keep children safe and well. Builds capacity and strength in our families and communities by promoting best practice in parenting and sharing information on child development. Reflective question How does your playgroup already work to connect families with support and information about child safety and wellbeing? What are two new ways you could do this?Next: How to report an incident or concern. How to report an incident or concern Earlier in this module you learned that as a playgroup leader or volunteer it is your responsibility to report a child safety incident or disclosure. The Tasmanian Children Young People and their Families Act emphasise that everyone in the community has a responsibility for ensuring that children are safe and protected. Some common questions about reporting are answered below. While support is available through Playgroup Tasmania’s Child Safety and Wellbeing documents, policies and processes, we do not expect you to deal with these situations by yourself. Please contact Playgroup Tasmania on 6331 6599 or email admin@playgrouptas.org.au for child safety support at any time. What do I do if I observe a child safety incident or a child discloses abuse to me? If a child or young person discloses abuse that is occurring, or has occurred, inside or outside playgroup, you should support the child or young person by believing him or her and reassuring them that telling was the right thing to do. It is important to remember that while it is your role to be a supportive listener, it is not your role to counsel the child or investigate his or her claims. Child protection workers will undertake investigations and professional counsellors are available to provide counselling. Remember: Keep information confidential. Only those people who must know should be informed of the disclosure. As soon as you are able to following the incident or disclosure, contact Playgroup Tasmania. You can also consult Playgroup Tasmania’s Child Safety and Wellbeing Reporting Policy and Procedure and follow the steps outlined. A simple form is available to report the incident or disclosure. Playgroup Tasmania will work with you to complete this form. What should be reported? Disclosure or allegation made by a child and/or Playgroup Tasmania community member. Observations of concerning behaviour exhibited by a child and/or Playgroup Tasmania community member or any other adult in contact with children. Injuries or behaviours in children that may be indicators of non-accidental injuries or harm. Inappropriate use of Playgroup Tasmania photographic and communications equipment that may be indicative of child exploitation. Who do I report it to? If there are immediate concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a child you are to contact the Strong Families Safe Kids Advice and Referral Line on 1800 000 123. All concerns are to be reported within 24 hours to your Playgroup Tasmania primary contact person who will promptly notify the CEO. A Child Safety and Wellbeing Incident Report Form will be completed by Playgroup Tasmania in consultation with the person who originally reported the incident as soon as practical. The Playgroup Tasmania CEO will then follow the organisation’s policies and processes to determine what actions will be taken. Physical and sexual assault are criminal offences. Where it is believed that a physical or sexual assault offence may have been committed, the matter will be reported to Tasmania Police by Playgroup Tasmania.Next: What next? What next? At its simplest, a child safe, child friendly playgroup is one where children and parents feel safe to tell someone when they are uncomfortable or feeling unsafe. While the processes and responsibilities explained in this module may seem somewhat overwhelming, they are essential to creating the safety needed to prevent and end unsafe practices and child abuse. As a playgroup leader or volunteer, you are an essential part of making that happen. On completion of this module: Review the Playgroup Tasmania Child Safety and Wellbeing policies and procedures The Child Safety and Wellbeing Code of Conduct is to be signed and returned if you are a Playgroup Tasmania employee, formal volunteer, board member, community playgroup leader or a contractor/consultant The Child Safety and Wellbeing Statement is to be signed and returned if you are a Playgroup Tasmania employee, formal volunteer or board member Playgroup leaders are asked to display the child safety and wellbeing posters at playgroup: Playgroup Tasmania Statement of Commitment to Child Safety and Wellbeing and Follow the Child Safety Reporting Process Playgroup Tasmania is able to provide hard copies of documents to sign and display. Please contact your Playgroup Tasmania contact person. If this module has caused you distress or you are unsure about any of the content, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 Playgroup Tasmania on 6331 6599 or email admin@playgrouptas.org.au or speak with your Playgroup Development Officer. Thank you for completing this module and taking this important first step towards ensuring child safety at playgroups in our state.Please provide your email and we'll send you a copy of your work on the module.(Required)
