Safeguarding.

We prepare organisations with best practice policies and procedures to mitigate risk of harm against children and vulnerable people, comply with government regulators and relevant legislation, and respond appropriately to complaints of misconduct, in a trauma-informed and procedurally fair way.

We can help you with

Full support

The safety of children and vulnerable people does not exist in a vacuum and often raises privacy, governance, compliance and workplace relations issues. We work closely with our not-for-profit, workplace and education teams to ensure we provide you with comprehensive support.

In doing so, we are able to advise organisations on safeguarding issues such as:

• training for your staff, volunteers, management and board;
• creating a safeguarding strategy and providing guidance to your board to make strategic decisions;
• helping organisations implement stringent recruitment and screening mechanisms to reduce the risk of abuse and harm by new and existing personnel;
• drafting policies and procedures to support your safeguarding strategy; and
• responding to concerns and claims including investigations, crisis management and response, litigation and responding to historical abuse.

A supportive and collaborative approach

Safeguarding is a sensitive topic and we understand the need for more than just a strictly legal approach. In our training and prevention work, we acknowledge society’s failings in the past and give organisations the tools to be on the right side of history. Importantly, we take a supportive and collaborative approach to managing complaints and concerns in a manner to best achieve positive outcomes for the organisation and the survivor.

What you can expect

National expertise in safeguarding

We are one of the only firms in Australia that can advise on safeguarding across all states in Australia. Legislation relevant to organisations that work with children and in the disability and aged care sectors is complex and varies from state-to-state. We guide national organisations through this complicated legislative landscape to ensure a cohesive approach that is legally compliant.

Most recently we have:

• assisted and supported organisations through Royal Commissions and public inquiries;
• worked with regulators such as the Commission for Children and Young People, Victorian Institute of Teachers and the Police in relation to allegations of abuse and harm and investigations;
• provided education and resources to tens of thousands of individuals regarding safeguarding; and
• published the Child Safety Toolkit, a free resource to help organisations comply with child safety laws in a bid to eradicate child abuse in our society.

Our extensive sector knowledge, trauma-informed approach and commitment to preventing harm is not only what differentiates us, but also what makes us successful. We provide a broad range of safeguarding services and solutions to help organisations to facilitate change, mitigate risk and respond appropriately to concerns of misconduct. We work closely with regulators, stakeholders, complainants and survivors to strategically advise clients in a manner that preserves their reputation as being a safe organisation.

Our sector expertise

Children

Organisations that work with children have a positive obligation to ensure they are safe from harm. Failing to provide a safe environment for children can result in costly civil litigation and reputational damage. Most importantly, it can result in children and young people experiencing abuse and life-long trauma. We provide legal services to organisations, both large and small, to ensure that children connected to their organisation are safe.

Disability

People living with disabilities are among the most vulnerable members of our society due to their complex health needs, dependence on others to provide care, and inability to voice concerns about their treatment by others. Organisations must implement proper safeguarding policies and complaint procedures so they can prevent and protect people with a disability from experiencing violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation. We assist organisations within the disability sector to ensure they provide a safe environment so that consumers are protected from harm and provided with the highest quality of care.

Aged Care

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety has led to significant reforms in the aged care sector, which is currently evolving at a rapid rate. Many of the recommendations arising from the Royal Commission relate to improving the quality of care and safety of consumers in aged care. We assist aged care providers to ensure the environment they provide for consumers is safe and of the highest quality, so that the health and safety of older people is protected and older people can age with dignity.