headspace commitment to child safety and wellbeing
headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation is a child safe organisation. We believe in partnering with young people, listening, and supporting them to manage their health and wellbeing. The safety and wellbeing of young people underpins our practices.
headspace is committed to:
- creating an environment where everyone feels included and respected irrespective of their culture, language, gender, appearance, sexuality, lifestyle, values, beliefs and faith, abilities, and socio – economic circumstances.
- providing a safe space for everyone, especially those who might face systematic barriers, and making sure we are always listening and learning from young people, their family and communities.
- having zero tolerance to abuse, racism, discrimination, and bullying.
- cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, young people with disability, young people from multicultural backgrounds, young people who are unable to live at home, and LGBTQIA+ young people.
headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation follows the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child to make sure every young person knows they are valued and protected. headspace has also developed a Charter of Health Care Rights for young people.
The team at headspace are dedicated to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of young people every day.
What is Child Safety?
Child safety is making sure children and young people are in a safe and caring environment where they are protected from harm. Children and young people have the right to feel loved, nurtured, and safe from harm. They have this right no matter their age, gender, culture, religion, sexual identity, education level, or where they live.
Safety concerns about a child or young person
A child safety concern is any concern relating to the physical, emotional, or cultural safety of a child or young person with whom headspace has/had contact, either directly or indirectly. It includes, but is not limited to, allegations or suspicions of child abuse and disclosure of historical or past abuse.
If you have immediate safety concerns about a child or young person, please call 000 and ask for police.
If you have concerns for a child or young person's safety and well-being, please reach out to the Child Protection intake office in the state where the child lives.
- Australian Capital Territory (ACT) - 1300 556 729
- New South Wales (NSW) - 13 21 11
- Northern Territory (NT) - 1800 700 250
- Queensland (QLD) - 1800 811 810
- South Australia (SA) - 13 14 78
- Tasmania (TAS) - 1800 000 123
- Victoria (VIC) – Child Protection in Victoria have divided support numbers based on Divisions. See the website for the appropriate number.
- Western Australia (WA) - 1800 273 889
If you have a concern about the safety of children or young people engaged with headspace National, or you have a concern about any of our employees or volunteers, please contact our Child Safety Officer on feedback@headspace.org.au.
Support
Child safety is a sensitive topic. If you are feeling uncomfortable or distressed by reading this content, please contact any of the support services below for further information, referral and support:
- eheadspace: 1800 650 890
- Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
- Blue Knot Helpline: 1300 657 380
- 1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
- 13 YARN: 13 92 76
Feedback
We want children and young people to feel safe, supported and comfortable being themselves at headspace. Listening to your feedback is a key pillar of our headspace Charter of Healthcare Rights.
If you have a compliment, complaint or suggestion, head over to our contact us page.
Resources
- National Association for Prevention of Child abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN)
- Child safety and wellbeing links and resources | Child Safe Organisations
- Child Protection and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children | Australian Institute of Family Studies
- Get support | National Office for Child Safety
- Report historical or past abuse | National Office for Child Safety
- Working with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) adolescents | Australian Institute of Family Studies
- Understanding safeguarding practices for children with disability when engaging with organisations | Australian Institute of Family Studies