Protecting Childhood, Nurturing Futures.
Our Commitment to Child Safety
Inclusion Melbourne is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children we support. Inclusion Melbourne is a child safe NDIS provider. We have zero tolerance for abuse, neglect or discrimination and comply with the Victorian Child Safe Standards and Reportable Conduct Scheme.
Every child has the right to feel safe, respected and heard.
Your Child’s Rights
Every child we support has the right to:
- Feel safe and express if they feel unsafe
- Be listened to and have a say in decisions about their supports
- Receive information in ways they can understand
- Be treated with dignity and respect
- Have their culture, identity and needs recognised
We help children understand their rights and who they can talk to if they feel unsafe. This includes communicating to children and their families about their rights and our processes at intake, and maintaining communication during support.
How We Keep Children Safe
We maintain strong child safe practices. The specific ways we prioritise child safety is contained in the Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy & Procedure which all staff must abide by. Some of the ways we promote child safety include:
- Ensuring all relevant staff and volunteers complete a NDIS Worker Screening and Working with Children Checks
- Require that all relevant staff and volunteers sign and abide by a Child Safety Code of Conduct
- Continuous supervision and monitoring, including performance appraisals on child safety
- Risk assessments for all activities and environments and support plans which include information on child safety
- Clear boundaries around communication, behaviour and personal care with systems built to ensure privacy and confidentiality is maintained
- Safe online communication processes
All staff receive ongoing training on child safety, recognising abuse, cultural safety and trauma-informed practice.
Cultural Safety for Aboriginal Children
We proudly support the cultural safety, identity and rights of Aboriginal children and young people.
This means:
- We respect and value Aboriginal cultures, strengths and community connections
- We do not tolerate racism of any kind
- We work with children and families in culturally safe, respectful and inclusive ways
Aboriginal children should always feel safe to express who they are when they are with us.
Speaking Up and Raising Concerns
If you or your child ever feel unsafe, uncomfortable or have other concerns, you can provide feedback or make a complaint.
You can raise concerns with your key contact at Inclusion Melbourne or the Quality Officer:
Email: feedback@inclusion.melbourne
We will take your concern seriously and work with you to resolve your complaint.
We have:
- A child-focused and accessible complaints process which you will be given when commencing services
- Options for verbal, written, anonymous or supported complaints
- Processes to ensure we take immediate action to ensure safety and wellbeing
- Have mandatory reporting and obligations under the NDIS Practice Standards and Reportable Conduct Scheme
We will work with you every step of the way to make sure you feel supported.
Our Child Safe Policies
Our commitment to child safety is outlined in the following documents:
- Child Safety & Wellbeing Policy & Procedure
- Child Safety Code of Conduct
- Stakeholder Feedback and Complaints Policy & Procedure
- Diversity Policy & Procedure
- Incident Reporting Policy & Procedure
These documents are available on request and are provided at intake.