Child Safety for DSS grants

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (Royal Commission) highlighted the necessity for a national response to child safety and the need for organisations to provide an environment where children feel (and are) safe, protected and respected.

In response to the findings, the Australian Government introduced the Commonwealth Child Safe Framework. This includes a section (1.4) on how Commonwealth Agencies apply child safe obligations to Commonwealth funded third parties in grant arrangements.

The child safe obligations applied to grantees are included in the Supplementary Terms of a grant agreement. There are 2 clauses available, with different requirements depending on the level of interaction with children expected in the delivery of the activity.

Annual Child Safe Statement of Compliance

Grantees are required to submit a Child Safe Statement of Compliance each year for each activity funded by DSS. The statement confirms that, in delivering the activity, grantees are compliant with the child safe clauses.

A template for this statement will be provided by the department in early March and must be submitted by 31 March. This statement is retrospective. It covers the period 1 January to 31 December of the previous calendar year.

Failure to submit the statement means grantees are considered non-compliant. This may result in payments being withheld, termination of your agreement, or effect future applications for DSS funding.

Resources

• The National Office for Child Safety has resources and information to assist grantees to implement, develop and meet their child safe obligations.
  • National Principles for Child Safe Organisations
• Specific to child safety compliance requirements:
  • Child Safety Risk Management Resources includes guides and templates to support grantees risk assessment.
  • Section 3.1 in the Commonwealth Child Safe Framework lists relevant State and Territory legislation and policy.
• The Australian Human Rights Commission has:
  • 11 free professional learning units on the National Principles
  • An introductory self-assessment tool for child safe organisations
• Examples of the Statements of Compliance:
  • Statement for G8A - Sample
  • Statement for CB9 - Sample
  • Statement for CB9 Sample - Sample
• Copies of the Child Safe Clauses:
  • Clause G8A – Child Safe
  • Clause CB9 – Child Safe
• Additional Resources
  • Task Card - Child Safety Compliance - how to complete online form
  • Frequently Asked Questions for DSS grantees

Further assistance

• For technical assistance with accessing, using or submitting the Statement of Compliance template, contact the Community Grants Hub Helpdesk on 1800 020 283 (option 5).
• For any other queries, email your Funding Arrangement Manager.

Last updated: 22 March 2024 - 10:51am