Child Safe Statement

Matildas Shepparton

At Matilda’s, the safety and wellbeing of every child in our care is our top priority. We are committed to creating a safe, inclusive, creative, nurturing environment where children can express themselves freely.
We have zero tolerance for child abuse, and we are dedicated to protecting children from harm. We take all concerns, complaints, and disclosures seriously and respond promptly and appropriately.

Our commitment to child safety

Creating safe creative spaces

Our Responsibilities

Empowering Children

Reporting and Responding

  • We believe that all children have the right to feel safe, respected and heard at all times

  • We actively promote the cultural safety of Aboriginal children, children from culturally linguistic backgrounds, and children with a disability.

  • We create welcoming, inclusive spaces that empower children to explore creativity in a safe way

To uphold our child-safe culture, we:

  • Have clear policies and procedures around child safety and reporting concerns

  • Require all staff and volunteers to hold current Working With Children check

  • Provide training and support to ensure our team understands child safety requirements and reporting obligations

During all classes and events, we:

  • Maintain appropriate child-to-adult supervision ratios

  • Ensure all activities and materials are age-appropriate and safe

  • Encourage children to speak up if they feel unsafe or uncomfortable

  • Don’t post any pictures or videos of children on social media without parental consent

We value children’s voices and:

  • Encourage them to share ideas and express concerns

  • Involve them in decisions that affect their experiences in our programs

  • Respect their individuality and boundaries

We have clear procedures in place for managing:

  • Child safety concerns or complaints

  • Disclosures of harm or suspected abuse

  • Mandatory reporting obligations in line with state and federal law

If you have any questions or concerns about our child safety policies or practices, please contact:
Carla- carlaocrawford1996@gmail.com
Steph Durden- steph.durden@hotmail.com