Mel James, CEO - Social Care Solutions
It's vital for the community and for the business sector to work together to create an environment for children and young people to feel safe. While the small things may seem unimportant, kids hear and see so much. If they don't think they will be taken seriously, or dismissed or ridiculed for sharing something worrying them, they won't share it.
Think about the soccer coach who yells and criticises players from the side line - would your child feel comfortable approaching that coach to share a not-quite-right experience they’ve had at home, or school, or at a friends’ house? How about the music teacher who is on their phone all lesson and doesn't speak to your child other than issuing instruction - how would you feel in that situation? Our kids spend hours each day with people in the community, teachers, coaches, mentors… We want to be confident our children are safe, cared for and respected. We want them to have multiple safe people to turn to if they have something unsafe they need to share.
The impact of a child who experiences abuse outside of the home impacts on a business, a community and, of course, a family. Creating safety for kids is not only about preventing abuse, but also connecting and respecting kids enough for them share their worries. Creating spaces and pathways to share so kids are skilled and supported enough to share their worries. Our job at Social Care Solutions is to work alongside businesses, to open up communication, begin the conversation and take steps to create Safe Spaces for all children and young people across Queensland.
We have built the Safe Spaces program for businesses, from sole traders delivering music lessons from their homes to dance schools, sports clubs and other recreational or social support programs, to provide consultancy, training and professional development in relation to safeguarding of children and young people. Gratefully funded by a QFCC grant, we are able to deliver this program for businesses (individual sole traders and small companies) in Brisbane and Moreton Bay regions for free. If you have a business of this kind, or your child is involved in one and you’d like them to receive our support, reach out to mel@socialcaresolutions.com.au for further information.
Social Care Solutions is a child protection consultancy providing services to the education, healthcare and human services sectors across Australia, New Zealand and other countries across the globe. Built in 2009 due to a gap in high quality assessments in the foster and kinship care space, SCS has grown to have a strong presence in the child protection and child safeguarding space, recognised as a thought-leader and innovator! Helping organisations implement, monitor and review their Child Safe Organisation commitments is at the core of what we do… because we truly believe child protection is everyone’s business. Connect with us via www.socialcaresolutions.com.au for your free downloadable Frequently Asked Questions about becoming a Child Safe Organisation or reach out to us via admin@socialcaresolutions.com.au to book in your 15 mins free consultation with one of our safeguarding experts.
