Involving children and young people in creative work is both rewarding and challenging. They see the world in unique ways and contribute meaningfully to the making of art. The arts is also one of the few industries where children can lawfully work.
But children are not small adults. They need extra care and consideration to be safe.
Children and young people may not be able to:
- effectively explain what they need
- recognise when they don’t know things
- manage their feelings or behaviours the way you might expect an adult to
- speak up if things don’t feel right.
They:
- don’t always have the experience to fully understand the consequences when completing tasks
- may not think things through their work the same way an adult worker would, and
- often need extra training, support and resources.
There are also power imbalances in workplaces that put children and young people at higher risk of bullying, aggression, and sexual and gender-based harassment.
All of this makes them particularly vulnerable to harm in the workplace.
Businesses and organisations have legal obligations to create a safe workplace for children and young people.
There are things that organisations need to know and do:
- before having children or young people in their workplaces, as well as
- when they are there.
This includes understanding and acting on:
Child safeguarding
Child safeguarding includes preventing, responding to and reporting harm or abuse caused by anyone working with children or young people.
The aim of child safeguarding is to create and maintain a culture that keeps children and young people safe.
It involves taking preventative actions including:
- setting clear expectations for appropriate and inappropriate behaviours relating to children and young people — for example, with a child safety code of conduct
- implementing policies and procedures for reporting and responding to child safety concerns or incidents, and reviewing them regularly
- providing regular child safeguarding training for managers, staff and volunteers
- communicate about child safety to everyone connected to the workplace — workers and volunteers, children and young people, and their parents or guardians.
- screening (checking) workers and volunteers who may work with children.
Keeping children and young people safe also requires organisations to:
- understand child safety principles and standards before working with, or engaging, children or young people
- apply child safety behavioural standards, codes, policies and procedures consistently
- respond if a child is harmed or abused by someone in or involved with the organisation, including by making reports to government regulators.
It's also important that everyone in your organisations knows what to do if a child or young person tells you they feel unsafe.
Organisations can and should involve children, young people and their families in safety practices and decision-making — for example, by having a Charter of Rights for children and young people. This makes it clear to everyone, but especially to children and young people, that your organisation is committed to creating a safe environment for them.
Your checklist for creating a culture of child safety
Creating a culture of child safety in your creative business or organisation is a critical part of creating a safe workplace for children and young people.
- Talk about your organisation’s commitment to child safety. Do it regularly, including during induction, at meetings, and during briefings before rehearsals, performances and tours.
- Talk about your Child Safety Policy and Procedure. Do it regularly. Make sure all your workers and volunteers know what it covers, what is expected of them, and where to find a copy of it. Learn more about developing a Child Safety Policy and Procedure.
- Promote a culture of openness and transparency around child safety. This includes encouraging workers, children and young people, parents and guardians to raise child safety concerns. It also means you need to take all concerns and complaints seriously.
How creating a child safe culture can help you meet child safety principles and standards
There are principles and standards that creative organisations and businesses need to understand before working with, or engaging, children and young people in creative workplaces.
Principle 1 of the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations relates to embedding child safety and wellbeing in organisational leadership, culture and governance.
Principle 4 relates to ensuring equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice.
There are equivalent standards in the Child Safe Standards in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory.
Victoria includes an additional standard that organisations establish a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children and young people are respected and valued.
Learn more about child safety principles and standards.
Your checklist for good leadership and governance
Creating a safe environment for children and young people starts with good leadership and governance around child safety and wellbeing.
Make sure your organisation has regular oversight of prevention and management actions.
- Regularly monitor and review your organisation’s compliance with the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations and Child Safe Standards in your state or territory.
- Develop a Child Safety Policy and Procedure. Make sure it includes internal and external reporting and complaint procedures. Learn more about developing a Child Safety Policy and Procedure.
- Do a child safety induction for new workers and volunteers. Make sure you provide periodic refresher training. Make sure you keep the information in your induction up to date.
- Have processes for checking (screening) workers and volunteers who work with children and young people
- Implement risk management processes for managing child safety risks
- Brief your Board (if you have one) about key child safety risks and incidents. Establish and follow a process for doing it.
- Consult and communicate with families and the community about child safety.
- Monitor and review your processes and information regularly.
- Keep good records of all of your actions.
How implementing child safety and wellbeing in organisational governance can help you meet child safety principles and standards
There are principles and standards that creative organisations and businesses need to understand before working with, or engaging, children and young people in creative workplaces.
Principle 1 of the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations relates to embedding child safety and wellbeing in organisational leadership, culture and governance.
Principle 9 relates to implementation of the National Principles is regularly reviewed and improved.
There are equivalent standards in the Child Safe Standards in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory.
Learn more about child safety principles and standards.
If a child or young person is at immediate risk of harm — call 000.
To otherwise report a crime — call your local police on 131 444 or call Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.
Workplace safety
Children and young people can be at greater risk of exposure to both physical and psychosocial hazards at work. They often need additional training, support and resources.
This can be anything from struggling with equipment designed for adults, to feeling stressed at not being able to communicate effectively about their needs. They are often juggling school and other activities, which puts them at risk of stress and fatigue. And growing up is hard.
Some situations common in the creative industries pose particular risks for children and young people. It is critical for organisations to be aware of these so they can be effectively managed.
Learn more about:
- Common safety issues for children and young people in the arts
- Physical safety hazards for children and young people
- Psychosocial safety hazards for children and young people.
Understanding these issues and hazards is part of making a safe workplace for everyone.
Online safety
Children and young people are at risk of significant harm from adults and other young people in online environments.
Organisations can help protect children and young people from harm online by:
- limiting online communication
- being careful with photos and videos
- understanding cyberbullying and image-based abuse.
There is lots of information out there
If your organisation is new to working with children and young people, there are lots of free tools and resources available to help.
We have included links throughout this website to resources we think have good information.
We also have links to regulators, government agencies and organisations that can offer help and advice, including support for children and young people.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
Our section on creating safe workplaces for children and young people is a good place to start.
