When to train your workers on child safety

• Train people when they start working or volunteering. Child safety is an important part of induction.
• Do refresher training every 12 months or so. For independent contractors and volunteers who are engaged sporadically, you could do it less frequently.
• Under 18s who ‘age out’ of a program sometimes transition into a volunteer or teaching role. They have new obligations and responsibilities once they are over 18 and no longer a participant. Make sure they have a child safety induction and training before they start in their new role. 

What to include in your training

• A statement about your organisation's commitment to child safety and zero tolerance for child abuse and/or risk of harm to children and young people.
• Information about your Child Safety Policy and Procedure.
• Common child safety risks and how to manage them.
• Your child safety dos and don’ts.
• How to respond to child safety complaints or concerns.
• How to report child safety concerns internally and/or externally to regulators or police (if ever required).
• The types of workplace hazards that can cause physical and psychological harm to children and young people and the controls in place to manage these hazards.
• Worker and volunteer responsibilities in relation to child safety.
• Steps you are taking to create a culture of child safety in your business or organisation.

Learn more about: 

• Child Safety Policy and Procedure
• Common child safety issues for children and young people in the arts
• Dos and don’ts for keeping children and young people safe
• What to do when a child or young person says they feel unsafe
• Reporting safety concerns about children and young people
• Physical safety hazards for children and young people
• Psychosocial safety hazards for children and young people