Standard two
Children are safe, informed and participate
Children are informed about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously
On this page
- 2.1 Children are informed about their rights, including safety, information and participation.
- 2.2 The importance of friendships is recognised and support from peers is encouraged, helping children feel safe and less isolated.
- 2.3 Where relevant to the setting or context, children and families may be offered access to abuse prevention programs and related information that is age appropriate.
- 2.4 Personnel are attuned to signs of harm and facilitate child-friendly ways for children to express their views, participate in decision-making and raise their concerns.
2.1 Children are informed about their rights, including safety, information and participation.
2.1.1 The entity has age-appropriate strategies to proactively:
- engage with children;
- seek children's views;
- consult children about decisions that affect them; and
- consult children about what makes them feel safe and how this can be recognised and implemented by the entity.
2.1.2 The entity ensures children are made aware of their rights, including their right to be safe from abuse, and are informed whom to contact if they have concerns about their safety or the safety of their peers.
support materials
- Standard 2 - Banner with icon and text (pdf)
- Standard 2 - A 'how-to' guide for engaging children and young people in conversations about safeguarding (pdf)
- Standard 2 - Implementation Guide - Edition 1 2019 (pdf)
- What does a child-safe parish look like? - video (url)
- The conversations we have to have - video (url)
- 1.4, 2.1.2, 2.3.1, 4.1.2 4.2.1 - Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne - Code of Conduct explanation for children - poster (pdf)
- 1.4, 2.1.2, 2.3.1, 4.1.2 4.2.1 - Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne - Code of Conduct explanation for young people- poster (pdf)
- 2.1.2 Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne - Rights and Responsibilities child-friendly poster (pdf)
- 2.1.2 Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne - Our Commitment to Children and Young People - child friendly poster (pdf)
- 2.1.1 - Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne - Consulting with Children and Young People (pdf)
- 2.1.1 Brisbane Catholic Education Student Safety Report 2018 (pdf)
- Standard 2 - Hearing the voices of children and young people (url)
- 2.1.1 Diocese of Broken Bay - Safeguarding Commitment for Children (pdf)
- 2.1.2 NBSCCCI - Creating User-Friendly Versions of the Child Safeguarding Policy (pdf)
- 2.1.1 Archdiocese of Sydney - Charter of Rights and Responsibilities for Children (url)
- 2.1.1 Archdiocese of Sydney - Rights and Responsibilities for Children (short) (url)
- 2.1.1 Catholic Education Melbourne - Participation Strategy (pdf)
- Standards 1 & 2 - The Child at the Center: What Can Theology Say in the Face of the Scandals of Abuse - Article by Hans Zollner (url)
- 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 - Commissioner for Children and Young People Western Australia - Feeling safe and respected in organisations (url)
- 2.1.2, 6.2.2 - Commissioner for Children and Young People Western Australia - Tips for children and young people on how to make a complaint (url)
- Standard 2 - Australian Youth Affairs Coalition website (url)
- 4.1 Advocate for Children and Young People (NSW) - Engagement and Participation Guide (pdf)
- Standard 2 - Guide to Making Decisions booklet (url)
- 2.1.2 UNICEF - Child-friendly versions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (url)
- 2.1.1 Dr Tim Moore - 'It's real to them, so adults should listen': what children want you to know to help them feel safe (url)
- 2.1.1 NAPCAN - Consultation with children workshop (pdf)
- 2.1.1 NAPCAN - Listening to Children (pdf)
- 2.1.1 NSW ACYP - Understanding & supporting children & young people's participation (pdf)
- 2.1.1 Commission for Children & Young People (Vic) - Empowerment & participation of children (pdf)
- 2.1.2 Meerilinga - UNCRC - Children's Rights (pdf)
- 2.1.1 Berry Street Childhood Institute - What makes a good childhood (url)
2.2 The importance of friendships is recognised and support from peers is encouraged, helping children feel safe and less isolated.
2.2.1 The entity provides children with age-appropriate information about safe and respectful peer relationships, including through social media.
support materials
- Standards 1 & 2 - The Child at the Center: What Can Theology Say in the Face of the Scandals of Abuse - Article by Hans Zollner (url)
- 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 - Commissioner for Children and Young People Western Australia - Feeling safe and respected in organisations (url)
- Standard 2 - Australian Youth Affairs Coalition website (url)
- Standard 2 - Guide to Making Decisions booklet (url)
- 2.2.1 Department of Education & Training (Vic) - Respectful relationships (url)
2.3 Where relevant to the setting or context, children and families may be offered access to abuse prevention programs and related information that is age appropriate.
2.3.1 Where relevant, the entity provides children and families with information, access and/or referral to abuse prevention programs, appropriate to the child's age, development, ability and level of understanding.
support materials
- 1.4, 2.1.2, 2.3.1, 4.1.2 4.2.1 - Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne - Code of Conduct explanation for children - poster (pdf)
- 1.4, 2.1.2, 2.3.1, 4.1.2 4.2.1 - Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne - Code of Conduct explanation for young people- poster (pdf)
- Standard 2 - Hearing the voices of children and young people (url)
- Standards 1 & 2 - The Child at the Center: What Can Theology Say in the Face of the Scandals of Abuse - Article by Hans Zollner (url)
- 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 - Commissioner for Children and Young People Western Australia - Feeling safe and respected in organisations (url)
- Standard 2 - Australian Youth Affairs Coalition website (url)
- 2.3.1 & 7.2.1 - Raising Children - website (url)
- Standard 2 - Guide to Making Decisions booklet (url)
- 2.3.1 Bravehearts - Personal safety Parents Guide (pdf)
- 2.3.1 Office of Children's Guardian (NSW) - SAFE resources (url)
- 2.3.1 ChildWise - Yarning Up about child sexual abuse for Aboriginal parents and carers (pdf)
- 2.3.1 NAPCAN - Keeping children safe from sexual abuse (pdf)
2.4 Personnel are attuned to signs of harm and facilitate child-friendly ways for children to express their views, participate in decision-making and raise their concerns.
2.4.1 Personnel have the knowledge, skills and awareness to identify potential signs of harm and actively support children to raise any concerns.
support materials
- Standards 1 & 2 - The Child at the Center: What Can Theology Say in the Face of the Scandals of Abuse - Article by Hans Zollner (url)
- 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 - Commissioner for Children and Young People Western Australia - Feeling safe and respected in organisations (url)
- Standard 2 - Australian Youth Affairs Coalition website (url)
- Standard 2 - Guide to Making Decisions booklet (url)
- NSW Ombudsman - What you need to know about the Reportable Conduct Scheme video for Catholic Schools (url)
- 2.4.1 Parkerville Children & Youth Care - 10 signs of child abuse (url)