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Child Safety

Summary

We understand that matters involving the safety of children can create fear and uncertainty. We want to assure our community that Orchard Early Learning Centres operates robust, transparent and continuously improving systems from recruitment and induction through to daily practice and leadership oversight to safeguard every child, every day. Orchard Early Learning Centres maintains a zero-tolerance approach to child abuse. Every decision we make is guided by our Child Safe Code of Conduct, our organisational values, and our legislative responsibilities. Where safety and wellbeing are concerned, we will always act promptly, decisively and in the best interests of children.  

Child Safe Commitment Statement

Orchard Early Learning Centres (Orchard ELC) is unequivocally committed to the safety, wellbeing, participation and empowerment of every child and young person in our care. We recognise our legal, ethical and moral obligations to comply with the NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian Child Safe Standards, the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations, the Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations, and all relevant state and federal child protection legislation. We maintain zero tolerance for child abuse in any form. 

Our non-negotiable commitment
  • We prioritise children’s rights, safety and wellbeing in every decision, action and policy. 
  • We actively prevent, identify and respond to all allegations, suspicions or risks of abuse, neglect, grooming or exploitation. 
  • We embed child safety in our governance, leadership, culture, systems and everyday practice. 

We implement and abide by our Child Safe Environment Policy, which operationalises: 

  • The NSW OCG Child Safe Standards (10 Standards). 
  • The National Principles for Child Safe Organisations (2019). 
  • The National Child Safe Standards (2022) where referenced in sector guidance. 
  • Relevant obligations under the Children’s Guardian Act 2019 (NSW), the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 (NSW), and (where applicable) the Reportable Conduct Scheme. 
  • Mandatory reporting requirements, including use of the Mandatory Reporter Guide (MRG) in NSW 
  • Orchard ELC does not tolerate physical, sexual, emotional or psychological abuse, neglect, exploitation, grooming or exposure to family violence.  
  • We maintain a Child Safe Code of Conduct that defines acceptable and unacceptable behaviour with children, families and colleagues.  
  • We set and enforce clear professional boundaries for all employees, volunteers, contractors, students and visitors. 

We are dedicated to creating environments that are safe, respectful and inclusive for all children, including:  

  • First Nations children and young people, with culturally informed and community-led approaches.  
  • Children from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.  
  • Children with disability, neurodivergent children, and children with additional need.
  • We value diversity and do not tolerate discriminatory attitudes or practices.
  • We uphold the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, advocating that every child has the right to be safe, heard and respected.  
  • We teach protective strategies and body safety concepts in age-appropriate ways, including what is acceptable and unacceptable behaviour, safe and unsafe touch, and how to seek help.  
  • Children are encouraged to express their views on matters that affect them. Staff listen to, respect and act on children’s views and feelings. 
  • We work in partnership with families and carers, communicating openly about our child safe policies, procedures and expectations.  
  • We share information lawfully and appropriately with external agencies and organisations to protect children and meet our statutory obligations.  
  • We welcome feedback, concerns and complaints, and provide clear avenues for escalation and resolution. 
  • We invest in ongoing, role-appropriate professional development so every staff member understands, owns and can enact their child safety responsibilities. 
  • Leaders are trained and accountable for embedding, monitoring and improving child safe practice. 
  • We regularly review and refine our policies, procedures, risk assessments and training content to reflect legislative change, best practice and lessons learned from incidents, near misses and sector inquiries. 
  • All staff are mandatory reporters and must act immediately on any suspicion, disclosure or allegation of abuse or neglect within 24 hours.  
  • We maintain clear, trauma-informed reporting pathways, ensuring reports are made to the appropriate statutory authorities (e.g., DCJ, Police, OCG) and internally escalated in line with our procedures.  
  • We support children, families and staff through confidential, respectful and timely responses, prioritising the safety and wellbeing of the child at every stage.  
  • We protect whistleblowers and anyone who raises a concern in good faith from victimisation or adverse action. 
  • We assess and manage environmental, program and operational risks to child safety, including in excursions, transportation, toileting, sleep/rest, personal care, and online learning/communication environments.
  • We ensure appropriate supervision, visibility, and record-keeping practices across all services.
  • We use privacy, information security and record management practices that protect children while meeting our legal obligations.
  • The Approved Providers (Owners) and Executive Leadership hold ultimate responsibility for child safety and ensure appropriate oversight, resourcing and reporting. 
  • We conduct regular audits, practice reviews and child-safe culture assessments, and we act on findings. 
  • We are committed to continuous improvement and to learning from children, families, staff, regulators and the broader sector. 

Orchard ELC Recruitment Strategy

All educators, support staff, and management at Orchard undergo a thorough recruitment process which includes: 

  • Application process that involves a face to face interview 
  • Management and leadership roles require 2 interviews  
  • Comprehensive behavioural interview questions that explore values, motivations, and attitudes toward child wellbeing as well as; 
    • Competency against the EYLF and child development knowledge 
    • Understanding of Mandatory reporting – and how to report 
    • Understanding of Child Protection – what to do if a child discloses information that could be a child protection issue 
  • Reference checking is the most effective means of verifying or ensuring the accuracy of information provided by staff with their past or present employer/direct manager that confirms: 
    • Facts stated in staffs resume 
    • Look for sudden career changes 
    • Ask if the referee has any knowledge as to why the person should not work with children and why they ceased their employment. 
  • Reference checks are mandatory and administered to ensure performance, reliability, flexibility and applicant competencies and behaviour. 
  • Orchard Directors hold National Police Checks and sign a Compliance History ensuring there are no previous infringements or breaches 
  • Directors and Responsible Persons must have child protection training: Identify and Respond to Children and Young People at Risk (CHCPRT001) 
  • Employees sign a declaration prior to starting work stating they are not prohibited from working with children  
  • All employees read and sign the Orchard Commitment to Child Safety 
  • All employees have a Verified Working with Children Check 
  • All employees serve a 6-month probation period with regular check at 1 week, 4 weeks, 3 months and 5-month marks
  • All employees must participate in a 3-month induction and orientation program 
  • Employees who do not pass probation are terminated within 6 months 
  • All staff participate in internal annual Child Protection refresher training. 

Further Child Protection Strategy

Mandatory Child Protection Training

Every member of our team is trained in child protection upon induction and participates in ongoing annual training. Directors and Responsible People must complete a Child Protection Certificate prior to employment. This qualification outlines recognising signs of abuse, responding appropriately to disclosures, and understanding mandatory reporting obligations under Australian law.

Clear and Enforced Child Safety Policies

Orchard’s policies and procedures are aligned with the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations and the Early Childhood Education and Care National Law and Regulations. These policies are given to staff on their induction and actively communicated to staff and reviewed regularly. They include strict guidelines on appropriate interactions with children, supervision standards, physical environments, and incident reporting.

Open and Ongoing Communication with Families

We believe that partnership with families is essential to child safety. Our team is always available to discuss your concerns or answer questions about our practices and procedures. We encourage open dialogue and trust your feedback.

Culture of
Speaking Up

We actively promote a workplace culture where concerns can be raised and our reporting channels are clear, accessible, and taken seriously at every level of leadership.

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