Parex Care’s Child Safety Commitment
At Parex Care, ensuring the safety and well-being of children is our highest priority. We are devoted to building and maintaining a child-safe organization, where each child experiences a secure and nurturing environment.
Our Commitment
Parex Care is deeply committed to the following principles to uphold a child-safe organization:
- Upholding Parex Care values
- Adherence to Child Safe Standards
- Zero tolerance of violence and abuse
- Promoting safety and preventing harm
- Recognition of children’s rights
- Responsibility for child well-being
- Implementation of child-centered systems
Our Detailed Commitment
- Upholding Parex Care Values: We bring our core values of sincerity, compassion, nurture, and skill into every interaction with children. Our diverse and passionate team is dedicated to providing comprehensive care management, tailored to the unique needs of each child, available 24/7.
- Adherence to Child Safe Standards: We are committed to the rigorous implementation and monitoring of Child Safe Standards to ensure their effectiveness.
- Zero tolerance of violence and abuse: We foster a culture of zero tolerance towards any form of violence and abuse against children and young people. We ensure that abuse is promptly reported and addressed immediately.
- Promoting safety and preventing harm: We actively work to promote safety and reduce the risk of harm, addressing both physical and online dangers through proactive identification and management.
- Recognition of children’s rights: We recognize and support the rights of children and young people to grow up in an environment where they feel loved, nurtured, and protected, respecting their right to cultural safety and encouraging their full potential.
- Responsibility for child well-being: Our team is trained to meet Child Safe Standards and legislative requirements, taking all concerns seriously and responding promptly to feedback.
- Implementation of child-centered systems: Our operational and quality systems are designed to prioritize the safety and best interests of children, ensuring our care is centered around their needs.
How We Support Our Commitment
Parex Care is committed to providing a safe environment for all children. We implement the New South Wales (NSW) Child Safe Standards, which support our mission to safeguard every child’s well-being consistently and effectively.
Standard 1: Child Safety Embedded in Organizational Leadership, Governance, and Culture
- Policies and Procedures: Implementing our Violence, Abuse, Neglect, Exploitation, and Discrimination Policy and Procedure.
- Training: Staff training in child safety codes of conduct, behavioral standards when interacting with children, and reporting obligations and record keeping.
- Risk Management: Developing Risk Management Plans for each child.
- Compliance: Adhering to the NDIS Code of Conduct and Parex Care’s own Code of Conduct
Standard 2: Children Participate in Decisions Affecting Them
- Children are encouraged to express their views and participate in decisions impacting their lives.
- The importance of peer support and friendships is recognized to help children feel safe and less isolated.
- Children have access to abuse prevention programs and information.
- Staff are attuned to signs of harm and facilitate child-friendly communication methods.
Standard 3: Families and Communities are Informed and Involved
- Families are encouraged to play an active role in child safety.
- Feedback mechanisms like complaint forms and meetings about child safety are utilized to engage community members.
Standard 4: Equity is Upheld and Diverse Needs are Considered
- The Director and staff are aware of barriers to disclosure of abuse.
- Cultural, diverse needs, and backgrounds of children are respected, with services adapted to be inclusive and equitable.
- A Risk Management Plan is tailored for each child, incorporating family and child input in strategy planning.
Standard 5: People Working with Children are Suitable and Supported
- Staff undergo thorough background checks and regular training, including annual refreshers, to ensure their suitability for working with children.
- The recruitment process highlights our organization’s values, with ongoing supervision to ensure adherence to child safety policies.
Standard 6: Child-Focused Complaint Processes
- A culture where complaints are taken seriously is fostered, with clear procedures for reporting and responding to child safety concerns.
Standard 7: Staff Equipped with Knowledge to Keep Children Safe
- Ongoing education and training ensure staff are equipped to identify and respond to child safety concerns, with additional training for higher risk scenarios.
Standard 8: Minimizing Risks in Physical and Online Environments
- Behavioral standards for physical and online interactions with children are set.
- Risk assessments and safety measures are in place for both environments to prevent abuse.
Standard 9: Continuous Improvement of Child Safety Standards
- The Director ensures continuous monitoring and improvement of child safety practices to adapt to new challenges and feedback.
Standard 10: Documentation of Policies and Procedures
- Ensuring that all policies and procedures are reviewed regularly and comply with current regulations and best practices.
By adhering to these standards, Parex Care maintains a vigilant and proactive stance in ensuring the safety, welfare, and rights of all children under our care, reflecting our core values of sincerity, compassion, nurture, and professionalism.
