Child Safety and Child Protection Commitment

Colab Therapy

At Colab Therapy, the safety, wellbeing and dignity of children and young people is central to the way we provide services.

Children and young people with disability may be particularly vulnerable to harm, abuse or exploitation. As allied health professionals providing supports under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), we recognise our responsibility to create safe environments, listen to children and families, and respond appropriately to any concerns about safety.

This statement outlines our commitment to protecting children and young people and how we respond to concerns about child safety.

Our Commitment to Child Safety

Colab Therapy is committed to creating environments where children and young people feel safe, respected and supported.

We will:

• Prioritise the safety, wellbeing and rights of children and young people
• Listen to and respect the voices of children and young people
• Promote environments that are physically and emotionally safe
• Actively prevent abuse, neglect or exploitation
• Respond appropriately to concerns about harm or risk
• Comply with relevant child safety and safeguarding laws and NDIS requirements

Our practice is guided by the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which recognises every child’s right to protection, participation and wellbeing.

Safe Recruitment and Worker Screening

Colab Therapy takes steps to ensure that people working with children are suitable to do so.

Our recruitment and screening processes include:

• Working With Children Checks (WWCC) where required
• NDIS Worker Screening Checks
• National Police Clearances
• Reference checks
• Clear expectations regarding professional conduct

Workers are expected to uphold the highest standards of professional and ethical behaviour when working with children and young people.

Child-Safe Service Delivery

Colab Therapy workers are expected to provide services in ways that prioritise the safety, dignity and wellbeing of children.

This includes:

• Maintaining professional and respectful relationships with children and families
• Listening to children and involving them in decisions where appropriate
• Respecting children’s rights, cultural background and beliefs
• Communicating in ways that are appropriate for the child’s age and understanding
• Ensuring therapy environments are safe and supportive
• Never exploiting the therapeutic relationship or professional position

Colab Therapy does not tolerate any form of abuse, neglect, exploitation or inappropriate conduct toward children or young people.

Recognising Abuse, Harm or Risk

Workers may form concerns about a child’s safety based on:

• Direct observation of the child or their environment
• Behavioural or physical indicators
• Disclosure from a child or young person
• Information shared by family members, professionals or others

Abuse or harm may include:

• Physical abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Emotional or psychological harm
• Neglect (including inadequate supervision, food, shelter or medical care)
• Exposure to family violence
• Exploitation or coercion

Where there are reasonable grounds to believe a child may be at risk of significant harm, action must be taken.

Responding to Concerns or Disclosures

Children may disclose abuse in many ways, including verbally, behaviourally or indirectly.

If a child discloses harm, Colab Therapy workers are expected to:

• Listen carefully and without interruption
• Remain calm and supportive
• Take the child seriously and acknowledge their experience
• Avoid leading questions or investigating the matter themselves
• Reassure the child that they have done the right thing by speaking up
• Record the disclosure accurately using the child’s own words
• Report the concern through appropriate channels

A negative response to disclosure can discourage further help-seeking and may allow harm to continue. For this reason, workers are trained to respond sensitively and appropriately.

Reporting Concerns

Protecting children from harm is a shared community responsibility.

If Colab Therapy workers believe a child is at risk of harm, they are expected to report their concerns.

In Western Australia:

If a child is in immediate danger, contact WA Police on 000.

Concerns about abuse or neglect can be reported to:

Department of Communities – Child Protection
Central Intake Team
Phone: 1800 273 889

Outside business hours:
Crisis Care Unit
Phone: 1800 199 008

Even where mandatory reporting obligations do not apply, Colab Therapy workers are expected to act in the best interests of the child and report concerns where appropriate.

Professional Conduct Expectations

Workers must always behave in ways that support child safety.

This includes:

• Using respectful and age-appropriate communication
• Avoiding language or behaviour that intimidates, humiliates or degrades children
• Not engaging in any behaviour that could place a child at risk of harm
• Not attending work under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Not smoking while delivering services

Any concerning behaviour toward children must be reported immediately to Colab Therapy management.

Reporting Concerns About Staff Conduct

Colab Therapy takes concerns about staff behaviour seriously.

Any concerns regarding the conduct of a worker toward a child will be investigated in accordance with our safeguarding and incident management processes.

Where required, matters will be reported to relevant authorities or regulatory bodies.

Our Safeguarding Responsibilities Under the NDIS

Colab Therapy operates in accordance with the safeguarding requirements of the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission and relevant NDIS Practice Standards.

This includes:

• Ensuring safe and respectful service delivery
• Protecting participants from abuse, neglect or exploitation
• Maintaining clear processes for incident management and reporting
• Ensuring staff are appropriately trained and screened

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