Child Safe Standards

The City of Port Phillip has zero tolerance for child abuse, and believes everyone child has the right to feel and be safe.
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Council endorsed a comprehensive and robust Child Safe Policy in 2018. This policy outlines Council’s commitment to creating a child safe Port Phillip and articulates how Council will continue to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.

Child safety is everyone’s responsibility.

Child Safe Standards

What are they:

• The Child Safe Standards (the Standards) began in Victoria in January 2016.
• The Standards help keep children safe from abuse and harm.
• There are 11 Child Safe Standards.
• Organisations working with children must comply with the Standards.

Our Commitment: 

The City of Port Phillip has zero tolerance for child abuse.

We are a committed Child Safe organisation, ensuring that a culture of child safety is embedded into our practices and processes.

Every child accessing Council services has the right to feel and be safe.

This City embraces diversity and inclusion. Children of all age, gender, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, family background and social background have equal rights to protection from abuse.

All City of Port Phillip Councillors, employees, volunteers, contractors and community representatives must understand and act to prevent, detect, respond to and report any suspicions of child abuse, and maintain a child safe culture.

The organisation overseeing the implementation and compliance with the Child Safe Standards is the Commission for Children and Young People.

Reporting child abuse

If you suspect or know of a child or young person being abused, you must report it:

  • if a situation is life threatening, contact police on Triple Zero (000)
  • for immediate concerns about the safety of a child, contact the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing Child Protection Crisis Line by telephone on 13 12 78
  • to discuss concerns about the safety of a child or young person, contact your local police station.

The same process applies if you have concerns about the behaviour of a City of Port Phillip employee, Councillor, volunteer or contractor towards a child or young person. Your concerns will be taken seriously and will be investigated appropriately and reported to the City of Port Phillip’s Executive Leadership Team.

Any complaints about a City of Port Phillip employee, Councillor, volunteer or contractor’s behaviour or conduct towards a child or young person will be handled in accordance with Council's Complaint Handling Policy. This is in-line with the Victorian Reportable Conduct Scheme.

For child safety enquiries please email our designated Child Safety Helpdesk email: helpchildsafestds@portphillip.vic.gov.au

Resources for children and young people 

Council has created a child friendly version of the complaint handling process: How to make a complaint (pdf). For more information on the council's complaint process, please visit: Complaints and service request

Kids Helpline is a free 24/7, private counselling service specifically for children and young people aged 5 to 25 years. They can be contacted for any reason via online chat, phone, or email. ph: 1800 55 1800

Yarning Safe N Strong is a free 24/7, confidential counselling service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, who need to have a yarn with someone about their wellbeing. ph: 1800 959 563 or email: ysns@vahs.org.au