Annual child safety statement of compliance
Annual Child Safety Statement of Compliance
As an institution with people at the core of what we do, the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) is firmly focussed on maintaining integrity and upholding the values that contribute to the protection and safety of children. A child’s welfare will always be a priority for us and we remain committed to playing our part in preventing child exploitation and abuse.
The APSC has zero tolerance for child abuse and exploitation, and any allegations and concerns for the safety of children and young people will be treated most seriously. Children have every right to feel safe, respected, valued and protected from harm. We will never knowingly engage – directly or indirectly – with anyone who poses a threat to children.
In line with the Commonwealth Child Safe Framework (the Framework), APSC has undertaken its child safety risk assessment for 2022-23 and determined the risk as low.
Although our interaction with children is minimal in our day-to-day business operations, we recognise we have a role to play to remain vigilant in protecting children while continuing to embed child safety and wellbeing into our leadership, governance and culture.
Our approach to upholding child safety is guided by four key principals:
- Recognising a child’s rights and interests
- Creating and maintaining a safe culture and environment for children
- Ensuring all employees understand and comply with their obligations to protect children
- Provide support and protection to employees who report any instance of child abuse or exploitation under this policy.
In implementing the Commonwealth Child Safe Framework the APSC:
- Undertakes an annual assessment to evaluate any risk of harm to children and ensure strategies and processes that minimise and manage those risks are in place
- Supports employees to understand and remain aware of, and comply with, their child safety obligations.
- Maintains compliance with relevant state, territory and commonwealth legislation, including Working with Children or Working with Vulnerable People checks and mandatory reporting requirements.
- Has adopted and implemented the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations.
Our staff understand the important and specific role they play in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children and young people, including the legal obligation to report any real or suspected instances of grooming or abuse of a minor to police as soon as practicable.
Dr Gordon de Brower
Australian Public Service Commissioner
31 October 2023