Be Child Safe

What “Child Safe” means in Australia

Organisations that provide services or facilities for children are required by law to implement Child Safe Standards to help protect children from harm.

For toy libraries, there can be some uncertainty about legal requirements, as children are generally not left in our care. However, many councils now require all services that involve children to meet Child Safe Standards.

For toy libraries that hold TLA insurance, it is essential that you follow and adhere to all Child Safe Guidelines.

Under Child Safe Standards, a child is defined as anyone under the age of 18. This means the standards may also apply to youth volunteers involved in your toy library.

There are 10 National Principles for Child Safe Organisations, endorsed by the Council of Australian Governments in 2019.

While these principles are not legislated nationally, following them helps toy libraries:

• Align with different state and territory requirements

• Strengthen child-safe practices

• Maintain consistency across services

To read more, follow this link to the National Office of Child Safety

There are also Modules you can complete through the Australian Human Rights Commission

Children’s rights, participation, and safety

Children and young people have the right to:

• Feel safe

• Be safe

• Have their voices heard

A child-safe organisation actively supports children’s participation by listening to their views, respecting their rights, and creating environments where they feel confident to engage.

Child Safe Standards also guide everyday practices that help keep children safe. These practices support:

• The promotion of child safety

• The prevention of abuse

• Clear processes for responding to and reporting concerns

Embedding child safety into daily practice helps create a culture where children are protected, respected, and supported to participate safely in all toy library activities.

Key safety practices and inclusion

Child Safe Standards aim to:

• Promote the safety and wellbeing of children

• Prevent child abuse and harm

• Support clear and effective response and reporting processes

• Embed child safety into everyday thinking and practice

• Create consistent expectations across organisations

• Reinforce that everyone has a role in keeping children safe

While all children can be vulnerable, some face additional risks. The standards highlight the importance of ensuring:

• The cultural safety of Aboriginal children

• The cultural safety of children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds

• The safety, inclusion, and participation of children with disability

These principles help ensure child safety practices are inclusive and responsive, creating safe, welcoming environments for all children.

Code of Conduct

A Code of Conduct sets out agreed standards for behaviour within an organisation. It provides clear guidance on expected behaviour, professional boundaries, and responsibilities, helping to create safe, respectful, and inclusive environments.

A clear Code of Conduct is important because it:

• Sets clear expectations for everyone involved

• Supports child safety and wellbeing

• Helps prevent harm, risk, or misunderstandings

• Provides a framework for accountability and responding to concerns

A Code of Conduct should be clear and accessible. Ideally, it should be easy for anyone to find, for example:

• Published on your website

• Displayed in the toy library space

• Included in membership or volunteer handbooks

Toy Libraries Australia has a Code of Conduct Template that can be found in QS 2.5 - Policies and Procedures.

Reviewing your Policies often is recommended to ensure they stay up to date and relevant for your toy library.

Responding to concerns and reporting pathways

Child Safe Standards require organisations to have clear processes for responding to concerns or allegations of child abuse.

Strong reporting pathways help ensure that:

• Concerns and disclosures are taken seriously

• Action is taken promptly

• Children are protected from harm

• Risks are identified and addressed

• Appropriate authorities or internal contacts are notified when required

These standards support cultural change by embedding child safety into everyday practice and reinforcing that everyone has a responsibility for child safety. To find your reporting pathway check the Child Safe Table for your state specific information

IF YOU FEEL A CHILD IS IN IMMEDIATE DANGER, CALL 000 IMMEDIATELY

Documenting incidents promptly is essential. A incident report template can be found in Quality Standard 2.5 - Policies and Procedures. Make sure you save the document in a secure location that is referenced in your code of conduct.

Family involvement

Families also play an important role in creating child-safe environments. By staying informed, providing feedback, and partnering with toy libraries, families support continuous improvement and a strong culture of safety, inclusion, and well-being. They are instrumental in ensuring your policies are relevant to your members and their children's needs and voices.

Safe physical and online environments

Toy libraries support child safety by maintaining both physical and online environments that protect children’s well-being.

This includes:

• Regularly checking toys and equipment for safety

• Reducing hazards in play and borrowing spaces

• Setting up environments that support safe supervision

• Having clear boundaries for how adults interact with children

Online safety is also important. Good practice includes:

• Following clear guidelines for photographing children

• Obtaining consent before sharing images

• Using social media in ways that protect children’s privacy and wellbeing

To do this, having a Social Media Policy that is referenced in your Code of Conduct is a

Working With Children Checks

Working With Children Checks (WWCCs) are government-run background screening checks designed to help prevent people who pose an unacceptable risk from working or volunteering with children.

Naming varies across Australia:

• Most states use the term Working With Children Check (WWCC)

• Queensland uses a Blue Card

• The ACT and Tasmania use a Working With Vulnerable People Check (WWVP), which includes other vulnerable groups

WWCCs are one part of meeting Child Safe Standards. Each state and territory has:

• Different legal requirements

• Different application processes

• Different systems for registering and verifying check holders

Toy libraries should ensure they understand and meet the requirements relevant to their state or territory.