10 national principles for child safe organisations : A guide for psychologists

The National Principles for Child Safe Organisations provide a national approach to embedding a child-safe culture across all sectors of Australian society in which children are involved. The national principles were developed in response to recommendations by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. The Royal Commission uncovered shocking abuse of children. In response to practices that harmed children, the national principles aim for an outcome that is universally desired - safe happy and engaged children.

Psychologists are in a fortunate position of working with children and young people in a variety of work places - clinical practice, schools, hospitals, community organisations. In your practice, you can contribute to the treatment and management of the impact of child sexual abuse, and you can also draw on your understanding of the conditions that prevent abuse from occurring.

A nationally consistent approach to embedding child safe cultures within organisations that engage with children ensures better protection for Australia’s children.