1. Purpose
   
   This policy articulates the Board’s commitment and governance responsibilities for providing a safe and empowering environment for all children and young people engaged in DeadlyScience Ltd (DS) programs, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. It embeds the 10 National Principles for Child Safe Organisations (2019), relevant state child-safe standards and reporting laws, and aligns with the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and ACNC Governance Standards.
   
   
2. Scope
   
   Applies to Directors and Board committees and informs oversight of all DS personnel, volunteers, contractors and partners delivering child-related programs.
   
   
3. Definitions
   
   

   Term	Meaning
   Child / Young Person	Anyone under 18 years of age.
   Child Safety	Proactive actions to protect children from abuse, harm or neglect.
   Safeguarding	Broader preventative measures and culture that ensures children feel safe, respected and included.
   Reportable Allegation	Information suggesting a DS worker has committed child abuse or misconduct as defined in Children’s Guardian Act 2019 (NSW) or equivalent.
   Child Safety Officer (CSO)	Senior staff member appointed by CEO to coordinate safeguarding.

   
   
4. Policy Statements
   
   1. Zero Tolerance – DS will not tolerate any form of child abuse or exploitation.
   2. Child Rights & Participation – Children have a voice in decisions affecting them; DS applies the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
   3. Cultural Safety – Programs recognise and strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and identity.
   4. Governance Integration – Child safety is a standing agenda item at every Board and Audit & Risk Committee (ARC) meeting.
   5. Continuous Improvement – Policy and practice reviewed annually and after any incident.
   
   
5. Legislative & Regulatory Framework
   
   

   Jurisdiction	Key Instruments
   Commonwealth	National Principles (2019); Crimes Act 1914 (grooming offences); Working With Children Checks (mutual recognition).
   NSW	Children’s Guardian Act 2019; Child Safe Standards; Reportable Conduct Scheme.
   VIC	Child Wellbeing & Safety Act 2005; 11 Child Safe Standards (2022).
   QLD	Working With Children (Risk Management & Screening) Act 2000.
   SA	Child Safety (Prohibited Persons) Act 2016.
   ACT, WA, TAS, NT	Respective WWCC and mandatory reporting legislation.

   
   
6. Governance Roles & Responsibilities
   
   

   Role	Key Responsibilities
   Board	Approve policy; set Zero Tolerance risk appetite; ensure resourcing; receive incident reports and compliance attestations.
   Audit & Risk Committee	Monitor safeguarding risk register; review annual self-assessment against National Principles; oversee investigations.
   Chair	Champion child-safe culture; ensure prompt Board convening on serious allegations.
   CEO	Appoint CSO; implement policy; ensure training and WWCC compliance; escalate incidents to Board.
   Child Safety Officer (CSO)	Maintain Child Safety Management System (CSMS); coordinate screenings, training, risk assessments; liaise with regulators.
   Program Leads	Embed controls (ratio, supervision, online safety) in program SOPs; consult children and communities.
   All Personnel	Hold valid WWCC where required; follow Code of Conduct; report concerns within 24 hours.

   
   
7. Child Safety Governance Controls
   
   7.1 Board Dashboard Metrics (Quarterly)
   • WWCC currency (%) – target 100 %.
   • Reportable allegations (number & status).
   • Training completion (%) – target ≥ 95 %.
   • Child feedback satisfaction (scale 1–5).
   • Incident response times (hrs from report to regulator notification).
   
   7.2 Annual Assurance Cycle
   
   

   Quarter	Activity	Output
   Q1	Policy review vs new legislation	Updated policy & roadmap
   Q2	Self-assessment against National Principles & Vic/NSW Standards	Improvement Action Plan
   Q3	External cultural-safety audit (alternate years)	Audit report to ARC
   Q4	Board sign-off of Child Safety Statement for Annual Report	Public disclosure

   
   
8. Risk Management & Appetite
   
   Under the ERM Framework, child safety risk appetite is “ZERO”. All High or Extreme child-related risks must have immediate treatment plans and Board oversight.
   
   
9. Incident Reporting & Escalation
   
   

   Timeframe	Action	Responsible
   Within 24 h	Personnel notify CSO (in person, hotline or email) of any suspicion/allegation.	Reporter
   Within 48 h	CSO conducts risk triage; CEO & Chair informed	CSO
   Reportable Conduct	Notify regulator (e.g., NSW Office of Children’s Guardian) per legislation.	CSO / CEO
   Board Notification	Chair briefs Board (or sub-committee) on Serious Incident; meeting convened if necessary.	Chair
   Investigation	Independent investigator appointed; procedural fairness observed.	CEO / ARC
   Outcome & Remediation	Disciplinary action, victim support, controls revision.	CEO / Board

   
   
10. Screening, Recruitment & Training (Oversight Summary)
    
    • WWCC / Blue Card / Ochre Card verification logged in HRIS; Board receives quarterly compliance snapshot.
    • Two Reference Checks mandatory for child-related roles.
    • Annual Training – Child Safety module (90 min) covering grooming signs, online safety, cultural safety. Completion rate reported to Board.
    
    
11. Participation & Empowerment of Children
    
    • Board receives annual report on child consultation outcomes and how feedback influenced programs.
    • Complaints avenues accessible to children (phone, text, email, QR codes on kits). • Children involved in risk assessment workshops where appropriate.
    
    
12. Cultural Safety Commitments
    
    • Engage Elders to co-design child-safe strategies.
    • Respect ICIP in images/storytelling; obtain FPIC.
    • Translate child-safety materials into local language where requested.
    
    
13. Record-Keeping & Privacy
    
    • Incident files stored securely (restricted SharePoint library).
    • Retention: minimum 45 years in NSW; 50 years in VIC; else 7 years after child turns 25 (lowest common denominator applied).
    • Access limited to CSO, CEO, Chair, investigators, regulators.
    
    
14. Breach & Consequences
    
    Breaches of this policy or child-safe standards may result in:
    • Immediate suspension or termination.
    • Mandatory regulator reporting.
    • Civil/criminal liability for individuals.
    • ACNC compliance action and donor withdrawal.
    
    
15. Review & Continuous Improvement
    
    Policy and CSMS reviewed annually or after any serious incident, legislative change or audit finding. Findings tabled at ARC and Board.
    
    
16. Related Documents
    
    • Child Safety Code of Conduct (Operational)
    • Recruitment & Selection Procedure
    • Cultural Safety & Indigenous Engagement Framework
    • Enterprise Risk Management Framework & Risk Appetite Policy
    • Whistleblower Protection Policy
    • Compliance Register & Obligations Policy
    
    
17. Legislative & Guidance References
    
    • National Principles for Child Safe Organisations (COAG 2019).
    • Children’s Guardian Act 2019 (NSW) & Reportable Conduct Scheme.
    • Child Wellbeing & Safety Act 2005 (VIC) – 11 Child Safe Standards.
    • Working With Children Check laws in all states & territories.
    • UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
    • AIATSIS Code of Ethics (2020) – cultural safety.
    • Australian Human Rights Commission – Child Safe Organisations Guide (2023).
    

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