Young People’s Safety

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The safety and wellbeing of children and young people is everyone’s responsibility.  

Every child and young person has the right to feel safe. We all have a shared responsibility to protect them from harm and abuse. 

Yarra Ranges Council is a Child Safe Organisation and is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people in our community.  

What to do if you feel unsafe

In the case of an emergency/immediate danger, call 000 immediately. 

You have a right to feel and be safe. 

The adults around you are responsible for keeping you safe. 

If you ever feel unsafe, you can tell someone about what is happening or how you’re feeling. 

Child Safety Information and Services for Children and Young People 

Kids Helpline

Kids Helpline is Australia’s free (even from a mobile), confidential 24/7 online and phone counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25. 

Qualified counsellors at Kids Helpline are available to help you anytime and for any reason. 

Phone: 1800 55 1800 

 

13 YARN

If you’re a First Nations young person looking for support from a First Nations organisation, you can connect with 13YARN (24 hours/7 days) and talk with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter. 
 
 Phone: 13 YARN or 13 92 76 

 

You can also make a complaint to Yarra Ranges Council – see the next section!

Making a complaint

There is no problem too big or small. Let us know when: 

  • You don’t feel safe 

  • Someone has hurt you 

  • You’re upset about something Council has done 

You will never get in trouble for making a complaint.  

 

How to make a complaint

You can make a complaint on your own, or you might like to find an adult who you trust to support you. It could be a parent, carer, teacher, or coach. You can also get someone who speaks your language to help you.

You can use any of these methods to contact us:  

Email: Mail@yarraranges.vic.gov.au  
Phone: 1300 368 333 
Facebook: @yrcouncil 
Instagram: @yrcouncil

Worried about a child or young person’s safety?

 

What you must report

  • If the child or young person is in Immediate physical danger, or the concern relates to sexual abuse – call the Police on 000.  
  • A disclosure, allegation or observation is made, and you have reasonable belief that a child needs protection, report to Department of Families, Fairness and Housing Child Protection on 1300 360 391 or 131 278 (after hrs.) 
  • If there is a concern about the safety, health, or wellbeing about a child or young person, call Orange Door Outer Eastern Melbourne on 1800 271 150. 
  • It is important that you record what you observe in relation to your concern including the date, location and description of child or people involved. 

For more information, see the Report a Child Safety Incident webpage. 

 

Young people's and children's safety at Yarra Ranges Council

Yarra Ranges Council is a Child Safe organisation and is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people in our community. We take a zero tolerance approach to child abuse and neglect, particularly in relation to Council services and programs. Staff members, volunteers, business, and organisations working with Council all play a part in creating a community where everyone, feels confident, empowered, and supported to speak up about child safety concerns. 

Council’s revised Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy has endorsed July 2022 to align with new Victorian Child Wellbeing and Safety Legislation (2021). 

For your information, see the updated 2022 Child Safety Policy(DOCX, 300KB) attached. 

If you wish to be involved in Child Safety Initiatives at Council contact ChildSafe@yarraranges.vic.gov.au. 

 

 

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