Children and young people support

Cultural safety

The Burnie City Council commits to a community that embraces diversity and inclusiveness.  We think that from the diverse background and lifestyles of our community, their experiences, and their different ways of thinking, that we can achieve positive things for our city, while making sure that that people are treated kindly and fairly along the way.

One area of focus of the new Child and Youth Safe Standards is the Universal Principle to protect the cultural safety of those of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent.

Council believes this principle should be applied more broadly in that all people of diverse backgrounds deserve to be treated with respect in matters of cultural safety.  This includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, but also includes others from diverse cultures; those with culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds and people of faith. 

The Burnie City Council promotes and advocates for the right to cultural safety for those that wish to connect with country or practice their culture within workplaces and the Burnie community, without discrimination.

What do I do if I have a concern about my safety or another child or young person?

The Council has developed a Child Safe Reporting Process that outlines what you should do if you are being abused or neglected or suspect that another child or young person is.

Check out the Council’s Child Safe Reporting Process that steps you though the things you will need to think about before reporting.  It is designed to provide you guidance in how to appropriately report your concerns.  Don’t be concerned though – if you need help to work through where you need to report to, we are here to help you.

If you believe that there is immediate danger to you or another child or young person, call Tasmania Police on 000.

If you would like to talk to a trained professional, please call the Tasmanian Strong Families Safe Kids Hotline and Referral Line on 1800 000 123.

Child Safe Reporting Process(PDF, 927KB) - Attachment A to the policy 

Council’s Child Safety Officer 

At Council we understand that we play an important role in leading child and youth safety within the community. 

We have a Child Safety Officer in our team that is a point of contact for children and young people in our community, as well as their families and carers.  This person can make sure that you get the information and support that you need to:

• understand your rights
• help you understand where you can get support
• guide you in how to report a concern about a child or young person’s welfare, including your own

If you want to reach out at any time to ask a question or to get information, please contact:

Bel Lynch – on 6430 5704

Where do I get further information?

There is a lot of information available through The Commissioner for Children and Young People in Tasmania.  Check out their website at https://childcomm.tas.gov.au/

Below are some additional resources that you might find helpful:

• The Universal Principle  
• What are my rights

Supporting diversity and inclusion

• Involving young people with disability in decision-making

• Engaging with young people from migrant or refugee backgrounds

• Supporting a young person with a diverse sexuality

• Inclusion of transgender and gender diverse people in sport

• Being out, transgender or gender diverse

• Being Proud

• Bullying! How to know the signs and strategies for coping

• Feeling safe and respected in organisations video

Online safety

• eSafety for children

• eSafety for young people

• Catfishing

• Cyberbullying

• eSafety for First Nations people 

• Cyber bullying for indigenous children and young people

Knowing the signs

• Signs and Indicators of Child Sexual Abuse

• How to Identify Abuse and Neglect