SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN ANDYOUNG PEOPLE

What does child safe mean?

• People care about you and respect you• You feel included and people are kind to you• No one is mean to you• You are not hurt• You know the rules• You have choices• You can have fun and be happy• People listen to you• You can talk about any problems you have• People help you to sort out your problems

You have a right to be safe, feel safe, be cared for and be respected, whatever you do, and wherever you are.

• It is OK to say NO if someone is hurting your feelings or your body

• It is OK to say NO to anything that makes you feel unsafe or uncomfortable

• It is OK to tell an adult you trust if you are upset, feel unsafe or have been hurt

What is MercyCare’s promise to you?

We will:

• be alert to child abuse and neglect• protect children and young people in our

care from harm• act quickly to respond if something is wrong • create and keep up a child safe culture

ALL CHILDREN& YOUNG PEOPLE MATTER TOMERCYCAREWHERE CAN YOU

FIND OUT MORE?Visit our Safeguarding Children webpage.

Ask to see our Safeguarding Children policy and procedure.

Ask to see our Responding to Child Abuse Reports and Allegations procedure.

www.mercycare.com.au/safeguardingchildren

WHAT WILL MERCYCARE DO TO KEEP YOU SAFE?• Make sure our people know how to behave• Employ people who will keep you safe• Train our people how to keep you safe• Involve you, your parents and carers • Make sure our people know how to

report problems• Keep our rules up to date• Ask how we are doing and find ways

to improve

HOW CAN YOU HELP US?• Be positive and respectful • DON’T discriminate based on gender, race,

ability, colour, religion, language or cultural background

• DON’T be violent, abusive, confronting or threaten others

• Tell us of any special needs you may have

WHAT RULES DO WE HAVE FOR OUR PEOPLE?• DON’T engage in sexual behaviour with you• Give positive guidance about your behaviour• Stick to the boundaries of their role• Be positive in how we speak to you • Supervise children and young people in our care• Be careful about e-communications with you • Get permission before giving you any gifts• Follow clear guidelines about taking and using

photographs of you • Limit physical contact to only what you need• Get permission and follow standards for

overnight stays • Supervise you in change rooms but respect your

privacy• DON’T use, possess, or supply alcohol or other

drugs while on duty• Be authorised and follow rules to transport you

TOP TIPS ABOUT HOW TO TELL SOMEONE• Get support from someone you trust• Find out how to complain• Plan what you want to say• Be calm and ask questions• Write down or draw what’s happening• Keep following up until the situation is fixed

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF SOMETHING’S NOT RIGHT?If you: • are unhappy with the way you are being treated• are worried about yourself or someone you know• feel unsafe or uncomfortable• have been hurt

Please tell someone you trust, like your parent or carer, a teacher, a MercyCare staff member, or another adult you trust.

You can also give us feedback at www.mercycare.com.au/safeguardingchildren

Or contact our Safeguarding team directly: safeguardingchildren@mercycare.com.au / 6228 1509

YOU CAN ALSO TRUSTKids Helpline1800 290 630www.kidshelpline.com.au 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Lifeline 131 11424 hours a day, 7 days a week

Headspace / eheadspace www.headspace.org.au

HOW WILL MERCYCARE PEOPLE RESPOND?If you tell us something is not right, we will:

• listen to you and treat you with respect • take you seriously and act quickly to keep

you safe• follow up your complaint, including

reporting requirements• tell you about what we are doing and

what is happening• offer you choices about how you want

to respond