Annual child safety statement of compliance
The Australian Public Service Commission is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and to creating and maintaining a child safe organisation.
As an institution with people at the core of what we do, the APSC is firmly focussed on maintaining integrity and upholding the values that contribute to the protection and safety of children. We seek to create and maintain behaviours, practices and an organisation culture that acknowledges the importance of child safety and wellbeing.
The APSC has zero tolerance for child abuse and exploitation, and any allegations and concerns for the safety of children and young people will be treated most seriously. Children have every right to feel safe, respected, valued and protected from harm. We will never knowingly engage – directly or indirectly – with anyone who poses a threat to children.
While the APSC’s business activities and functions do not involve direct interaction with children, we recognise we must ensure our staff are aware of their obligations to protect children through embedding practices that support child safety and wellbeing into our leadership, governance and culture.
The APSC understands it is a shared responsibility with employees and partners to provide a safe environment to protect and safeguard children and young people. Our approach to upholding child safety is guided by four key principles:
- Recognising a child’s rights and interests
- Creating and maintaining a safe culture and environment for children
- Ensuring all employees understand and comply with their obligations to protect children
- Provide support and protection to employees who report any instance of child abuse or exploitation under this policy.
Annual Risk Assessment
The APSC has undertaken a risk assessment of our operations to determine our exposure to child safety risks continue to be rated as ‘low’ as the APSC’s activities do not involve direct or indirect interaction with children. Our control measures ensure we both operationalise our commitment to the safety and protection of children and young people, and meet our obligations under the Commonwealth Child Safe Framework.
In continuing to comply with the Framework and 10 National principles, while leveraging the outcome of our annual risk assessment our key initiatives over the coming 12 months include:
- a refresh of our Child Safe Policy during 2024-2025 to ensure it remains current, is tailored to the APSC’s operating environment and the latest guidance from the National Office of Child Safety
- continuing to improve staff awareness of the APSC’s Child Safe Policy
- Internal communications aimed at supporting greater awareness and understanding of our obligations under the Framework and promoting the APSC’ commitment.
- build and embed staff knowledge on their responsibilities under the Commonwealth Child Safe Framework by promoting Child Safe training available to all APS agencies through APS learn
The APSC recognises that managing child safety is an ongoing process and will regularly review the risks, impacts and controls we have in place to eliminate and manage risks appropriate.
Dr Gordon de Brouwer
Australian Public Service Commissioner
29 October 2024