Published on Monday, 27 March 2023 at 2:52:41 PM
Child Safe Awareness Policy Adoption
The Shire of West Arthur has become the first Council in Western Australia to adopt a Child Safe Awareness Policy after participating in a pilot program run by the Department Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC). The Policy was adopted at the Shire of West Arthur Ordinary Council Meeting held on Thursday 23 March 2023. The policy was developed by DLGSC in consultation with the Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA), Department of Communities and local governments. The Shire of West Arthur nominated to take part in the pilot, recognising the vital role small local governments play within the state in representing rural and regional communities.
The Policy has been developed in response to Recommendation 6.12 from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, with the Royal Commission recognising the important role that local governments play in improving and maintaining child safety in their communities. It also found that a well-informed and proactive community approach to child safety can create environments that prevent child abuse. The Policy is designed to increase awareness of child safe practices for organisations, stakeholders and individuals who use local government facilities.
The Pilot program will see participating local governments successfully implement the Policy, as well as develop a process to deliver child safe messages, and connect and support local community groups, organisations and stakeholders to child safe resources, including culturally safe and inclusive resources. Shire of West Arthur facilities will soon have appropriate messaging displayed within them.
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Further information on this media release may be obtained by contacting Vin Fordham Lamont, shire@westarthur.wa.gov.au or telephone 08 9736 2222.
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