Child Safety

Our Commitment
At Ainslie Outside School Hours Care (OSHC), located in the heart of Canberra, we are committed to ensuring the safety, wellbeing, and empowerment of every child in our care. Our approach is built around the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations and the latest national reforms to early childhood and OSHC services.

We aim to create an environment where children feel secure, supported, and heard every single day.

Our Approach to Child Safety

We follow the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations, which guide all education and care providers to create and maintain safe environments for children:

  1. Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in leadership and culture.
    Safety is a core part of our values and everyday practices led from the top by our management team and child safety officer.

  2. Children are empowered and involved.
    Children are encouraged to speak up, contribute to service decisions, and learn about their rights.

  3. Families and communities are informed and involved.
    We work in partnership with families and keep communication open, honest and ongoing.

  4. Diversity is respected and inclusion is upheld.
    Our programs are culturally safe, inclusive, and support children from all backgrounds and abilities.

  5. Staff and volunteers are suitable and supported.
    All team members are carefully vetted, trained in child safety, and regularly supervised.

  6. Processes for responding to complaints are child-focused.
    Children and families are supported in raising concerns, and we act promptly and transparently.

  7. Staff receive ongoing education and training.
    We prioritise continuous learning in areas of child protection, safety, and wellbeing.

  8. Safe environments – physical and online – are maintained.
    Our indoor, outdoor and digital spaces are assessed regularly to ensure they are safe, secure, and age-appropriate.

  9. Continuous improvement is part of our safety culture.
    We regularly review our practices and adapt based on feedback and regulation changes.

  10. Child safety policies are documented and accessible.
    Our policies are clear, up to date, and available to families on request.

Upcoming Child Safety Reforms

Ainslie OSHC is preparing for important national reforms coming into effect from September 2025 and January 2026, which will strengthen child protection across all care settings.

Key reforms include:

  • Faster reporting of serious incidents such as physical or sexual abuse

  • New Quality Standards around child safety and governance

  • Mandatory child safety training for all OSHC staff and volunteers

  • Clearer rules on digital safety, including phone and device use

  • More transparency and oversight through unannounced inspections and public reporting

We are actively updating our policies and procedures to align with these changes and ensure full compliance by the implementation dates.

Our Child Safety Officer

Hi! My name is Nicholas but you can call me Nick. I have been working at Ainslie OSHC since November 2023 and I am very excited to become Ainslie OSHC’s Child Safety Officer. I accepted the role of Child Safety Officer as I believe that all children should feel safe and welcome at our service, regardless of circumstance. I am always happy to help out no matter the challenge. If you have any queries or concerns feel free to contact me.

Email: childsafety@ainslieoshc.com.au