Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy

Habitat Warriors is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and empowering environment for all children and young people. We recognise our duty to protect children from harm and uphold a zero‑tolerance approach to child abuse in any form. Child safety is central to our culture, our decision‑making and our program delivery.

This policy applies to all Habitat Warriors staff, contractors, volunteers, cultural educators and partners involved in the design, delivery or support of our programs.

Habitat Warriors’ child safety practices are aligned with:

• The Victorian Child Safe Standards
• The Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 (Vic)

Duty of Care

We recognise that children have unique vulnerabilities and require additional protections. All activities are designed to prioritise physical, emotional, cultural and online safety.

Working with Children Checks

All staff, contractors, and volunteers working with or near children must hold a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) and maintain it throughout their engagement with Habitat Warriors.

Cultural Safety

Habitat Warriors is committed to creating culturally safe environments for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. Our programs are co‑designed with a Traditional Owner representative and delivered with respect for cultural knowledge, protocols, and community authority.

Online Safety

Online workshops are delivered using secure platforms with restricted access, moderated interactions and clear behavioural expectations. 

Reporting Concerns

All staff must report any concerns about child safety, suspected abuse, or breaches of this policy to the appropriate authority, including the school, the Department of Education or relevant statutory bodies.

Responding to Incidents

Habitat Warriors will:

• Act immediately to protect any child at risk
• Notify relevant authorities
• Document incidents and outcomes
• Review and strengthen internal processes to prevent recurrence

Continuous Improvement

We regularly review our policies, training, and practices to ensure they remain effective, current and aligned with legislative requirements.