Step 1: Read this module👇

The National Principles

Since February 2019, the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations have been endorsed by all Australian governments. They set a consistent standard for organisations to keep kids safe and well. 

The National Principles reflect ten child safe standards recommended by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, and are the vehicle for giving effect to recommendations relating to the standards. The National Principles have a broader scope that goes beyond child sexual abuse to cover other forms of potential harm to children and young people.

PBB is compliant with National Principles for Child Safe Organisations.  

PBB's work doesn't involve direct contact with children, so only principles #1 and #7–10 apply. #2–6 don't. Here's how we meet them:

#1 Child safety embedded in leadership & governance

PBB leadership owns these principles.

• Child safety sits on our risk register, reviewed monthly by the board.

• It's written into volunteer agreements and the employee handbook.

• All frontline staff and volunteers must agree to it when they join.

#7 Staff and volunteers equipped to keep kids safe

We don't work with kids, but if a parent brought them to a peer support group, our team know what to do.

• Frontline team members are trained: children aren't allowed.

• Ask the child to leave, or the parent to come back without them. No exceptions.

#8 Physical and online environments are child safe

Same as #7. Our groups and online spaces exclude children. Frontline training makes this crystal clear.

#9 Implementation regularly reviewed and improved

This is covered by our board's monthly risk register review. We check it works and tweak where needed.

#10 Policies and procedures keep us safe for children

• This training spells out our compliance.

• Frontline training reinforces it.

• Volunteers sign an annual agreement committing to it.

• Employees sign the handbook acknowledging it.

• Bottom line: children are never permitted at PBB peer support services.

What This Means For You

You're now clear on PBB’s position on keeping kids safe. We keep kids out of our support spaces. If a parent turns up with one, politely and empathically enforce the rule. Report any issues up the chain.

Our job is supporting parents who are in distress. That support is related to adult and parental matters, it is not suitable for children. Child safety compliance lets us focus there without distraction.

TL;DR: PBB complies with National Principles #1 and #7–10. We don't work with kids. Keep them out of support groups - ask parents to return without them. It's in our agreements, handbook, risk register and your training. 

Step 2: Complete test to get your instant Certificate

Step 3: Got Questions? Jump on the next LIVE Drop-in Training Call

Step 4: Then complete the other New Volunteer Training Modules

(please complete within the first week)