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