Child safety

At Columba Cottage, we believe that child safety is everyone’s responsibility. We have zero tolerance for abuse, neglect, or harm and maintain safe, secure, and welcoming environments. Safeguarding the interests, dignity and rights of children is achieved through the comprehensive implementation of the NSW Child Safe Standards.

– Columba Cottage is committed to child safety.

– We want children to be safe, happy and empowered.

– We support and respect all children, as well as our staff and volunteers.

– We are committed to the safety, participation and empowerment of all children.

– We have zero tolerance for child abuse, and all allegations and safety concerns will be treated very seriously and consistently with our robust policies and procedures.

– We have legal and moral obligations to contact authorities when we are worried about a child’s safety, which we follow rigorously.

– Columba Cottage is committed to preventing child abuse, identifying risks early, and removing and reducing these risks.

– Columba Cottage is committed to regularly training and educating our management, staff and volunteers on child abuse risks.

– We are committed to the cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, the cultural safety of children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, and to providing a safe environment for children with a disability.

– We have specific policies and procedures that support our management, staff, and volunteers in achieving these commitments.

Reporting Child Protection Concerns

Staff, Volunteers, Third Party Contractors, External Education Providers, children, parents/carers or other community members who have concerns that a child or young person may be subject to abuse are asked to contact the Centre Director. 

Communications will be treated confidentially on a ‘need to know basis’. Whenever there are concerns that a child is in immediate danger, the Police should be called on 000. Columba Cottage is committed to the continuous improvement of our Child Protection Program and to ensuring the Centre’s compliance with NSW child protection law and regulation. The Program is regularly reviewed for overall effectiveness and to ensure compliance with all child protection related laws, regulations and standards.