Commitment to safeguarding children and young people

Your child’s safety is our number one priority; we at Elwood Shule have made an ongoing commitment to create and maintain a safe environment and culture, with comprehensive child protection policies and procedures in place, in line with the Government’s Commission for Children and Young People, ensuring that children and young people, attending our services and programs are in the safest environment possible.

We have communicated our commitment to all our staff and volunteers and given them access to a copy of our commitment statement.

We believe children who come to our Shule, Hebrew School and functions should:

• be cared for
• feel comfortable and happy
• feel safe and be safe.

Everyone who works here does their best to make sure children are protected from any harm.

All Children on our premises should know:

• It is not okay for anyone to hurt your feelings or your body.
• It is okay for you to say NO to an adult if they ask you to do something that makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
• It is always okay to tell someone if you are not feeling comfortable or safe, or if you have been hurt.
• If you are unhappy with the way you are being treated please tell a staff member or a parent.
• If you ever feel unsafe or uncomfortable, we will listen to you and act to help you.

Our Hebrew School students are made aware of the above through interactive discussion, in language and terms they can understand.

While we are doing our part, we need every adult in the community to assist as well.

Please do your part to help ensure our children’s safety by ensuring:

• Parents or carers are supervising their children when they are not involved in a Shule program or activity.
• You check with your children to make sure they are ok.
• During Shule services, programs or activities, all incidents or concerns regarding child safety should be immediately reported to Rabbi Shmuel, Rivki, Ronny Kowadlo, Mark Kuran (Shule President) or Jack Lipson.

We encourage feedback and ideas from parents, youth and children via our website feedback form, email, phone or face to face.

Rabbi Shmuel & Rivki, Ronny Kowadlo and any Hebrew School staff have a Working with Children Check. Rabbi Shmuel & Rivki, Ronny, and the Board of Management have completed a training course through the Australian Childhood Foundation’s Safeguarding Children Program.

Our Child Protection Policy is currently under review and being updated.