Safeguarding

The Y NSW is committed to setting a new benchmark in safeguarding children and adults at risk, moving beyond compliance to lead the sector in safeguarding excellence.

Everyone who works for or on behalf of us, including employees, contractors, and volunteers, shares responsibility for creating safe, respectful, and inclusive environments for children, young people, adults at risk, and each other. We are expected to act ethically and professionally, comply with all laws, policies, and safeguarding requirements, and prioritise physical, psychological, and emotional safety at all times. This includes maintaining appropriate boundaries, listening and responding to concerns, respecting diversity and cultural safety, managing conflicts of interest transparently, protecting confidentiality, and using technology and organisational resources responsibly. By upholding these standards and our values of Safe, Connect, and Thrive, we contribute to communities where everyone feels supported, valued, and able to thrive.

Statement of Commitment to Child Safety

The Y NSW maintains a zero-tolerance approach to child abuse and neglect. We are deeply committed to ensuring the safety, wellbeing, and empowerment of every child in our care.

The Y NSW recognises the paramountcy of children’s safety, wellbeing, rights and best interests. The principle of paramountcy guides all decisions, actions and practices that affect children, ensuring that children’s needs, experiences and voices remain central to our approach to child safety. Where there is any conflict between a child's safety, wellbeing and best interests and other organisational, operational, commercial or reputational considerations, the child's safety, wellbeing and best interests will prevail. We are committed to protecting children from harm and promoting their wellbeing, dignity, inclusion and ability to thrive.

We create the safest spaces

Child safety is embedded in our culture, leadership, governance, decision-making, and everyday practice. We are proactive in preventing harm by identifying, assessing, and managing risks; setting clear behavioural expectations; and ensuring all staff are appropriately trained, supported, supervised, and held accountable for upholding safe behaviours. Our recruitment and screening processes are thorough, and our physical and online environments are inclusive, child-centred, and culturally safe. We ensure children’s safety and wellbeing are prioritised in organisational decision-making, risk management, service delivery, and continuous improvement activities.

We are better together

We believe connection, with each other and with community, is essential to a child-safe culture. We foster respectful, trusting relationships where all children feel seen, heard, and valued. As rights holders, children are supported to express their views, and their voices, experiences, and perspectives are considered in decisions that affect them. We welcome the knowledge and partnership of families, carers, and communities in creating safe and inclusive environments and actively seek to build trusted relationships.

We bring our best

We strive to create spaces where every child feels safe, connected, and able to thrive. We are committed to continuous learning and improvement, guided by equity, respect, and the dignity of all children. We create environments where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, children with disability, and all children feel a strong sense of belonging and are respected, valued, and supported to thrive.

In recognising the diverse programs and services the Y NSW provides, this commitment also extends to at-risk adults in our care.

Policies and Procedures

Report an Incident

If you hear about or see any situation that may indicate someone in our care is at risk of abuse or harm, please report it immediately. You can choose to remain anonymous or provide your details

Submit a Report