Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy

E.S Emojong Consultancy – Policy Document
Review Date: June 2026

1. Purpose

This policy outlines the framework that guides child safety and wellbeing across all aspects of E.S Emojong Consultancy’s work. It ensures we meet our legal obligations and uphold best practice in working with children, young people, and community partners, particularly in NSW.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

  • All consultancy programs and services where children and young people are involved

  • Engagements with government agencies, councils, NGOs, schools, and youth-serving organisations

  • Subcontractors, facilitators, and consultants delivering services on behalf of E.S Emojong Consultancy

3. Guiding Frameworks and Legislation

Our approach is informed by:

  • NSW Child Safe Standards (Office of the Children’s Guardian)

  • National Principles for Child Safe Organisations

  • Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 (NSW)

  • Working With Children Check requirements (NSW OCG)

  • NSW Youth Work Code of Ethics

  • ARACY’s Nest Framework

  • UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

We also uphold relevant contractual or compliance obligations under funding agreements, especially where reporting requirements extend to Commonwealth frameworks.

4. Our Commitments

E.S Emojong Consultancy will:

  • Embed a culture of child safety across all services and stakeholder interactions

  • Listen to and act on the voices of children and young people

  • Ensure culturally safe, trauma-aware, and inclusive environments

  • Conduct and verify WWCCs for staff and subcontractors

  • Offer child safety training and induction to all representatives involved in youth-facing roles

  • Establish clear processes for responding to concerns or disclosures

5. Roles and Responsibilities

Director & Principal Consultant

  • Lead a culture of child safety and ethical youth work

  • Ensure compliance with OCG guidance and mandatory reporting obligations

  • Approve subcontractors and oversee WWCC compliance

  • Review and update this policy annually

Subcontractors & Facilitators

  • Must provide valid WWCC before engagement

  • Must complete ESEC’s Child Safety Induction

  • Must report any concerns immediately to the Director

Partners & Clients

  • Are expected to comply with NSW Child Safe Standards within joint projects

  • Will be informed of E.S Emojong Consultancy’s policy during onboarding or project initiation

6. Code of Conduct

All E.S Emojong Consultancy staff, collaborators, and representatives must:

  • Uphold the NSW Youth Work Code of Ethics, including principles of participation, safety, empowerment, and social justice

  • Treat children and young people with dignity and respect

  • Maintain professional boundaries at all times

  • Avoid situations where harm, grooming, or misunderstanding could occur

  • Support children and young people to speak up and be heard

7. Risk Management

  • Each project involving youth will undergo a Child Safety Risk Assessment, including cultural safety, accessibility, and inclusion risks

  • Risks will be identified, documented, and managed proactively

  • Child safe planning will be incorporated into project design, contracts, and partner briefings

8. Responding to Concerns

Any disclosures, concerns, or suspicions of harm must be responded to in line with NSW mandatory reporting guidelines. This includes:

  1. Ensuring immediate safety

  2. Recording relevant facts using ESEC’s incident reporting template

  3. Reporting to authorities (e.g. Child Protection Helpline, Police)

  4. Notifying relevant funding or project partners

  5. Debriefing and reflective practice

The Director will oversee incident management and provide support to involved parties.

9. Cultural Safety

We prioritise:

  • Culturally safe practice when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children

  • Working in partnership with local Elders, organisations, and families

  • Creating inclusive environments for young people of all identities, genders, and abilities

10. Training and Policy Review

  • Annual child safety training for all relevant personnel

  • Policy review every 12 months or when legislation changes

  • Contractor and facilitator induction to include the Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy, the NSW Child Safe Standards, and ethical youth work principles

11. Related Documents

  • Code of Conduct

  • Working With Children Check Register

  • Child Safe Risk Assessment Template

  • Participant Consent and Media Forms

  • Incident Reporting & Escalation Flowchart

  • Privacy Policy

  • Partnership & Subcontractor Agreements