Statement of Commitment to Child Safety
Apple Blossoms Early Learning is committed to the safety and well-being of all children and young people. We understand our responsibilities and statutory duty of care to comply with both the Victorian Child Safe Standards and the Reportable Conduct Scheme, building our capacity as an organisation to prevent and respond to allegations of child abuse.
Our service is committed to implementing and abiding by our Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy, based on the Child Safe Standards in Victoria (2022). This policy accentuates our zero-tolerance approach to child abuse and our dedication to raising awareness about the importance of child safety within our service and the broader community.
We are dedicated to protecting children from abuse and neglect while promoting a child-safe environment that maintains their well-being. We adhere to a comprehensive Child Protection Policy, standing by our mandatory reporting responsibilities to protect children from physical, sexual, emotional, and psychological abuse and neglect.
We work to ensure there is clear awareness regarding appropriate and inappropriate behaviour between adults and children. We maintain clear boundaries between children and employees, volunteers, and the community to ensure child safety.
We are dedicated to:
Promoting cultural safety for Aboriginal children.
Ensuring cultural safety for children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Providing a safe and inclusive environment for children with a disability.
We value diversity and do not tolerate any discriminatory practices. We are committed to ongoing professional development for our team to ensure they can identify and respond to situations of abuse and neglect, remaining proactive in their responsibilities to keep children safe.
Our work aligns with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and we are committed to educating children about their right to be safe. We believe in teaching children what to do if they feel unsafe and encouraging them to express their views and thoughts on matters that affect them. As educators, we listen to and empower children to act on any concerns they or others may raise, a commitment that is reflected in all our policies and procedures.
