Our Commitment to Safe Spaces: Reflections for National Child Protection Week

Safety is more than a policy or a practice; it is a feeling of trust, belonging, and being valued. This National Child Protection Week, we invited staff across the Y NSW to share how creating safe spaces for children inspires them.  

Head of Safeguarding Excellence Nevo Rom said the Y NSW is dedicated to creating spaces where children can feel safe, connect and thrive.  

“What inspires me is knowing that strong safeguarding practices help create environments where children and young people feel safe, heard and able to thrive,” Nevo said.  

“Every child and young person deserves to feel valued, respected, and confident to be themselves.” 

General Manager of Children Services Chris Haywood reinforced that sentiment. 

“As part of Children Services, I feel that child protection is in the heart of every decision that we make and it’s at the heart of what we do here at the Y NSW. It’s not just part of National Child Protection Week, we connect it to our values,” he said.  

“We make sure that children feels safe, that they can connect to a trusted adult, and that they can thrive as individuals in every session of care.” 

Youth Program Coordinator Virginia Walshaw said programming and teamwork play a vital role in creating safe spaces.  

“What I’m inspired by is the capacity within our work to not only create a safe space through programming, but to create a safe space through our relationships with the community and with the young people and with the parents around us,” she said.  

“I was raised in a village, and I think when the world comes together, when the community comes together, and when the Y brings people together, it can make such a difference for our young people in what are really challenging times.” 

Youth worker’s Issy and Shay work alongside Virginia on the Central Coast.  

“What inspires me is the young people themselves, and providing those safe spaces gives them the opportunity to do whatever they want to do, to achieve what they want to achieve, and to realise their own potential,” Issy said.  

“It’s an amazing thing to see a space that’s been created where everyone can participate no matter what they have been through, no matter what background they have or ethnicity or sex – none of that matters as long as they can all share a space to be respected, heard, and have fun,” Shay followed.  

 

Customer Service Officer at the Y Bankstown Amra agreed that bringing people together in a welcoming environment is highly motivating.  

“What inspires me about making the Y a safe space for children is being trusted with the opportunity to create a safe, welcoming environment where children and young people feel supported, respected, and valued. Knowing that my contribution can help them feel confident, included, and able to be themselves is what motivates me,” she said.  

For Jenny, the Director of Children’s Services at Winston Hills Public School OSHC, the opportunity to give children a space where they can open up is what inspires her – especially when it comes to children in the Support Unit.  

“Over time, we have seen connections grow and watched how much more comfortable the children have become with us,” she said.  

“We can see this through small interactions when they greet us or when they come to us with questions or ask for help.  

“These children start as really quiet and hesitant at first, but they gradually begin joining activities. It is really good to see that they are talking more openly and expressing what they want. It’s rewarding to see them relax and build confidence.” 

The way children interact with trusted adults as their confidence improves is another inspiring part of Jenny’s role.   

“It’s also really special that some of our children have certain educators that they will go to knowing that they will be heard and supported,” she said.  

“They know that these educators will be there for them, and they know that is their safe person, which I think is really special.” 

While each perspective is unique, a common thread runs through every response: creating safe spaces starts with care, respect, and a commitment to putting children and young people first. This is enforced through safeguarding policies. 

“At the Y NSW, safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. Through strong policies, robust screening and training requirements, clear reporting processes, and a commitment to listening to children and young people, we work every day to create environments where children and young people feel safe, valued, respected, and supported to thrive,” finalised Nevo.  

At the Y NSW, creating safe spaces is more than what we do - it's who we are. It is a commitment we stand by every day for the children, young people, and communities we serve.