Child Safety and Wellbeing in Mornington Peninsula: Have Your Say – Feedback Closes 22 Sep 2023!
Mornington Peninsula is calling for public input on child safety and wellbeing in the region. The feedback will shape procedures and policies to ensure the safety and protection of children and young people. The deadline for sharing your views is September 22, 2023.
The Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy, endorsed earlier this year, aligns with the changes made to Victoria’s Child Safe Standards in July 2022. These changes have expanded the standards to address safety concerns for Aboriginal children and young people, as well as the risks of child abuse in online environments.
Mornington Peninsula is committed to maintaining the safety and wellbeing of children and has a zero-tolerance policy regarding child abuse. The municipality has implemented comprehensive training, policies, and procedures to protect children from abuse and promptly respond to any concerns or allegations.
To further support the consultation process, the community is invited to attend information sessions in October. These sessions aim to educate local businesses, volunteering organizations, service providers, and community members about their responsibilities in ensuring child safety.
If you want to contribute your opinion on child safety and wellbeing, visit the official website of Mornington Peninsula at mornpen.vic.gov.au/childsafe before September 22, 2023. You can also obtain printed feedback forms from Customer Service Centres and libraries upon request.
In addition, community sessions will be held at different locations: the Hastings Community Hub on October 23, Mornington Council Chambers on October 25, and Rosebud Council Chamber on October 26. Attendance for these sessions is free, but registration is required on the Mornington Peninsula website. Please note that the content covered in these sessions is not suitable for children.
Mayor Councillor Steve Holland encourages individuals and organizations involved with children and young people to attend the information sessions. He emphasizes the importance of understanding and fulfilling one’s responsibilities towards child safety.
Health and Wellbeing Committee Chair, Councillor Antonella Celi, emphasizes the need for awareness regarding reporting processes and responsibilities related to child safety. Councillor Celi urges individuals who are not familiar with these processes to attend the upcoming information sessions, where the Child Safe Coordinator will provide guidance and tools for navigating child safety.
Mornington Peninsula’s initiative to gather public feedback on child safety demonstrates its dedication to creating a safe environment for children and young people. By actively involving the community, Mornington Peninsula aims to develop comprehensive policies and procedures that address the specific needs of its children and youth.
With the deadline approaching, it is important for community members to voice their opinions and contribute to shaping the future of child safety and wellbeing in Mornington Peninsula. Participating in the consultation process will help ensure that the policies and procedures implemented adequately protect and support the region’s children and young people.
