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Child Rights, Responsibilities and Safety Policy and Procedure

NDIS Policies and Procedures Manual – Core Module

Document Number: CM-POL-031

Document Control

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Legal Name: Holistic Healthcare Management Services
ABN: 20695058096
ACN: 695058096
Primary address/head office: 15 Agasse Way, Tapping WA 6065
Document Name: NDIS Policies and Procedures Manual – Core Module
Document Number: CM-POL-031
Approved by: Director
Date Approved: February 2026
Version No: 1.0
Comments: Initial Release of the Policies and Procedures Manual
Next Review Date: May 2026

Introduction and Purpose

This policy underscores Holistic Healthcare Management Services’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the rights, responsibilities, and safety of every child participant engaged in its services. Children have an inherent right to safety, dignity, and meaningful inclusion in activities that foster their development and empower them to reach their potential. This policy ensures that supports provided to child participants align with legal and human rights obligations, including the principles outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. By prioritising these principles, Holistic Healthcare Management Services guarantees a holistic, rights-focused approach to service delivery that respects the unique needs and preferences of each child.

The policy further aims to create an inclusive and nurturing environment where children are supported in building their functional skills and achieving personal growth. It highlights the importance of ensuring that all services promote active participation and meaningful engagement with peers, enabling children to be fully included in everyday activities. Additionally, this policy provides a framework for fostering strong partnerships with families, carers, and other stakeholders, ensuring that all aspects of a child’s developmental and safety needs are addressed collaboratively.

Scope

This policy applies comprehensively to all staff, contractors, and stakeholders directly or indirectly involved in the delivery of early childhood supports through Holistic Healthcare Management Services. It encompasses all organisational practices and procedures related to safeguarding children’s legal and human rights, ensuring their safety, and promoting their development.

Definitions

Term Description
Legal and Human Rights The foundational principles outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and enforced through national and state laws, guaranteeing children growth in an environment nurturing safety, dignity, and potential.
Risk of Harm Any scenario where a child’s safety, wellbeing, or development is compromised due to potential or actual abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
Support Network The collective group of individuals actively contributing to the care and development of a child participant, including family members, guardians, carers, and teachers.
Alternative Arrangements Temporary modifications or adjustments to planned support services, ensuring continuity of care during service disruptions while aligning with developmental goals.

Outcomes and Indicators

Outcome Indicator
Each child participant accesses supports that promote and respect their legal and human rights, support their development of functional skills, and enable them to participate meaningfully and be included in everyday activities with their peers.
  • Knowledge and understanding of each participant’s legal and human rights, and incorporation of those rights into everyday practice.
  • Implementation of practices and procedures to manage risk with a focus on creating a safe environment for children.
  • Compliance with all relevant state and territory legislation relating to the reporting of risk of harm to children.
  • Facilitation of the active involvement of the participant’s support network in the participant’s development.
  • Alternative arrangements for the continuity of supports for each child participant, when changes or interruptions are unavoidable, are: a) explained and agreed with them and their family; and b) delivered in a way that is appropriate to their needs, preferences and goals.

Guiding Principles

  • Child-Centred Approach: The delivery of all supports prioritises the needs, preferences, and rights of each child participant, empowering children to have a voice in their care.
  • Safety First: Creating and maintaining a safe environment is paramount, proactively mitigating risks to ensure physical, emotional, and psychological safety.
  • Family Engagement: Fostering collaboration and open communication with the child’s support network to ensure consistency and alignment with goals.
  • Compliance: Strictly adhering to all child protection laws and mandatory reporting requirements within operational jurisdictions.
  • Continuity and Transparency: Communicating alternative arrangements clearly during service changes to minimize disruption and foster trust.

Policy Statement

Promoting Legal and Human Rights

Holistic Healthcare Management Services is committed to ensuring that the legal and human rights of all child participants are respected, upheld, and integrated into service delivery through ongoing staff education, rights-based practices, and cultural and social inclusion (Indicator 1).

Ensuring Child Safety

Creating and maintaining a safe environment encompasses comprehensive risk assessments for all service settings, clear safeguarding protocols for incident and emergency response, and routine environment inspections (Indicator 2).

Compliance with Child Protection Legislation

Strict adherence to state and territory legislation governing child protection and mandatory reporting, ensuring all risks of harm are addressed through staff training, close collaboration with authorities, and maintained confidentiality (Indicator 3).

Involving the Support Network

Active collaboration with families and support networks is achieved through regular communication, collaborative support plan co-design, and family capacity-building resources (Indicator 4).

Managing Alternative Arrangements

Unavoidable changes to planned supports are managed through transparent communication, tailored alternative solutions aligned with developmental goals, and thorough documentation (Indicator 5).

Procedure

Upholding Legal and Human Rights

Staff complete initial and ongoing training on child rights and the UNCRC, service delivery is evaluated via regular rights audits, and feedback is collected from children and families using diverse methods to guide continuous improvement.

Managing Risks to Child Safety

Comprehensive risk identification uses risk matrices prior to support delivery, step-by-step incident responses handle safety concerns, and regular environment inspections verify adherence to child safety standards.

Reporting Risks of Harm

Mandatory reporting protocols ensure staff are trained to recognise signs of harm, utilise standardised reporting templates within mandated timeframes, and collaborate closely with child protection agencies.

Engaging the Support Network

Families receive regular progress updates, practical support resources such as tip sheets and workshops, and participate via structured feedback mechanisms.

Managing Alternative Arrangements

Alternative arrangements are supported by communication plans, tailored solutions matching developmental goals, and detailed documentation ensuring accountability.

Mandatory Reporting

Holistic Healthcare Management Services adheres strictly to mandatory reporting obligations under NDIS Practice Standards and legislation. If a child is in imminent danger, staff must immediately call 000 and inform the designated delegate. Reportable incidents including abuse, neglect, or serious injury must be escalated to the NDIS Commission within established timeframes.

State and Territory Child Protection Authorities

State/Territory Child Protection Authority Contact Number
New South Wales Department of Communities and Justice 132 111
Victoria Child Protection (DHHS) 131 278
Queensland Department of Child Safety 1800 177 135
South Australia Child Abuse Report Line (CARL) 131 478
Western Australia Department of Communities 1800 273 889
Tasmania Child Safety Service 1800 000 123
Northern Territory Territory Families 1800 700 250
Australian Capital Territory Child and Youth Protection Services 1300 556 729

Handling Disclosures and Allegations

Staff must respond to disclosures of abuse with care by remaining calm, listening, recording exact words, and reporting immediately without leading questions. Allegations against workers trigger risk assessments, notifications to police/authorities, confidential investigations, and appropriate disciplinary actions.

Roles and Responsibilities

Ref No Roles Responsibilities
1 Governing Body
  • Policy Oversight: Approve and oversee implementation of the Child Rights, Responsibilities, and Safety Policy, ensuring alignment with legal and ethical standards.
  • Resource Allocation: Provide adequate funding and resources for staff training, risk management, and family engagement activities.
  • Monitoring Compliance: Ensure regulatory obligations related to child protection, mandatory reporting, and incident management are met through routine audits.
2 Clinical Supervisors
  • Implementation Leadership: Oversee adherence to child safety protocols, mandatory reporting requirements, and rights-based practices across all operational levels.
  • Training and Mentorship: Coordinate worker training sessions and provide ongoing guidance and support in child safety.
  • Incident Management: Manage responses to reported risks of harm, coordinate with external agencies, and facilitate debriefing sessions.
3 Behaviour Support Practitioners
  • Plan Development and Review: Lead development and periodic review of Behaviour Support Plans (BSPs), incorporating family and stakeholder insights.
  • Training Delivery: Conduct detailed training sessions covering proactive strategies, risk management, and evidence-informed practices.
  • Stakeholder Engagement: Liaise with families, mainstream providers, and stakeholders for collaborative development and safety support.
4 Workers
  • Direct Service Delivery: Implement BSP strategies while maintaining a child-centred approach ensuring safety, rights, and wellbeing.
  • Documentation and Reporting: Accurately document incidents, daily activities, and family interactions, and ensure timely reporting of harm risks.
  • Feedback Participation: Actively contribute to debriefing sessions, sharing observations and recommendations to improve practices.
5 Participants and Support Networks
  • Active Involvement: Actively participate in the development and review of BSPs, offering valuable insights and feedback.
  • Feedback Mechanisms: Utilise provided feedback mechanisms to contribute suggestions and insights to improve service delivery.