The National Principles for Child Safe Organisations were developed in response to recommendations made by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. The Royal Commission found that many organisations across Australia failed to protect children from abuse, failed to listen to children who tried to disclose abuse, and failed to respond appropriately when abuse came to light. 

The Royal Commission identified that policies and procedures are important, but not enough alone to keep children safe and well in organisational settings. Rather, to prevent harm to children and young people, organisations must create a culture, adopt strategies and take action to promote child wellbeing and reduce the likelihood of future harm in organisational settings.

The National Principles comprise ten standards that are underpinned by a child rights approach and focus on the need for organisations to create environments where children’s safety and wellbeing is at the centre of thought, values and actions. 

Schokman Consulting provides a range of training packages on the National Principles that encompass key considerations to implement the principles within organisational leadership, governance and culture.