Phone:
1800 329 049

Child Safety and Safeguarding

Get Skilled Access - Child Safety and Safeguarding Policy

Our commitment

Get Skilled Access (GSA) is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people (under 18) we work with, deliver services to, or who may be impacted by our work.

We aim to provide environments and services that are:

  • child safe and child friendly
  • culturally safe
  • inclusive and accessible, including for children with disability
  • grounded in respect, dignity, and professional boundaries

GSA has zero tolerance for child abuse, grooming, exploitation, racism, and any conduct that harms a child or young person.

Purpose

This policy explains:

  • what child safety and safeguarding means at GSA
  • the standards of behaviour expected of anyone representing GSA
  • how concerns can be raised and what we will do in response

Scope

This policy applies to all people who conduct work for or represent GSA in any capacity, including:

  • employees
  • contractors and consultants
  • volunteers, students, and interns
  • visitors and delivery partners where relevant

It applies across our work, including programs, workshops, events, training, consultations, and online engagement.

Child safety and safeguarding at GSA

Safeguarding means taking active steps to prevent harm and responding appropriately when concerns are raised.

GSA works to safeguard children and young people through:

  • creating and maintaining safe physical and online environments
  • clear behavioural expectations and professional boundaries
  • appropriate screening and recruitment practices for relevant roles
  • training and support for our people
  • structured risk awareness and planning for activities involving children and young people
  • accessible reporting pathways and responsive complaint handling

Recognising diverse needs and vulnerability

GSA recognises that some children and young people may experience increased risk of harm or barriers to being heard. This includes:

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people
  • children and young people with disability
  • children and young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
  • LGBTQIA+ children and young people
  • children in out-of-home care or experiencing family violence, trauma, or other forms of disadvantage

GSA is committed to culturally safe and inclusive practices, including listening to children and young people and responding respectfully.

Expected behaviour and professional boundaries

Everyone representing GSA must behave in ways that are safe, respectful, and appropriate. This includes:

  • treating children and young people with respect and dignity
  • listening to children and young people and taking concerns seriously
  • maintaining professional boundaries at all times
  • creating environments where children and young people feel safe to speak up

 

The following behaviours are not acceptable and may result in action, including referral to authorities where required:

  • any form of abuse, grooming, exploitation, harassment, discrimination, or violence
  • inappropriate physical contact, or physical contact that is not necessary or appropriate to the context
  • being alone with a child or young person in an unsupervised or isolated setting where it is avoidable
  • communicating with a child or young person outside approved channels or outside the scope of work
  • sharing personal contact details or engaging in personal relationships with children or young people connected to GSA activities
  • taking, sharing, or publishing images or recordings of children and young people without appropriate consent
  • using inappropriate, sexualised, intimidating, or humiliating language

Online safety and digital engagement

GSA uses digital platforms and communications tools as part of delivering services and information. When engaging with children and young people online, GSA expects:

  • communications to remain professional and related to the work
  • appropriate supervision and accountability (where relevant to the activity)
  • privacy and confidentiality to be respected
  • concerns or unsafe behaviour online to be reported promptly

Photos and video

GSA may take photos or video at events, workshops, or activities for communication, reporting, and promotional purposes.

Where children and young people may be photographed or recorded, GSA will:

  • seek appropriate consent from a parent/guardian or authorised organisation (and from the young person where appropriate)
  • explain the purpose and intended use in clear terms
  • use images respectfully and avoid content that could cause harm or embarrassment
  • respond to concerns or requests about the use of images as promptly as practicable

Recruitment, screening, and training

GSA uses recruitment and screening practices designed to support child safety, which may include:

  • role clarity and suitability assessment
  • reference checks and values-based selection processes
  • Working With Children Checks (and other checks where relevant to the role and jurisdiction)

GSA also supports staff and contractors through training, guidance, and expectations about child safety, professional boundaries, and responding to concerns.

Reporting concerns and making a complaint

GSA wants children, young people, families, schools, partners, and community members to feel confident raising concerns.

If a child is in immediate danger

Call 000 (or your local emergency number) immediately.

 

Raise a concern with GSA

You can raise a child safety concern or make a complaint by contacting:

Email: info@getskilledaccess.com.au
Phone: 1800 329 049
Website contact form: via the GSA website

You do not need proof to raise a concern. If something does not feel right, we encourage you to speak up.

 

What GSA will do

GSA will:

  • take reports seriously
  • act promptly to prioritise the safety of the child or young person
  • respond respectfully and keep information confidential where possible and appropriate
  • make reports to external authorities where required by law, or where necessary to protect a child or young person
  • keep appropriate records of the concern and actions taken

Confidentiality and information sharing

GSA treats child safety concerns sensitively and will limit information sharing to people who need to know, where appropriate.

There are circumstances where GSA may need to share information, including where:

  • a child or young person is at risk of harm
  • reporting to external authorities is required or appropriate
  • procedural fairness requires information to be shared with relevant parties

Any personal information will be handled in line with our Privacy Policy.

Definitions

  • Child / young person: a person under 18 years of age.
  • Child abuse: includes physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional or psychological harm, grooming, and neglect.
  • Safeguarding: actions taken to prevent harm and respond appropriately to concerns.

Review and continuous improvement

GSA reviews its child safety practices and this policy regularly, including after incidents, complaints, changes to legal requirements, or changes to our programs and services.

Contact us

For privacy enquiries, access requests, or complaints, please contact:

Get Skilled Access (GSA):

You can also contact us via the Contact Form on the Get Skilled Access website.

Have questions? We’re ready to help

Call us

1800 329 049

Email

info@getskilledaccess.com.au

Melbourne office

Level 6, 461 Bourke St
Melbourne 3000, VIC

Get in touch now

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