Safeguarding: Addressing the Bigger Picture

Safeguarding children is a critical and widely discussed topic within our sector, at both the national level and among the families who rely on our services. Ensuring the well-being and safety of the children we serve is our highest priority, and we are committed to implementing the most effective measures to protect them.

Over the past 12 months, YWCA Canberra has been dedicated to enhancing our safeguarding measures. We have thoroughly reviewed our existing practices and identified areas for improvement based on best practices and recommended sources. Safeguarding is not merely about limiting male involvement in intimate care routines; it encompasses a much broader scope. The Australian Human Rights Commission defines safeguarding as:

The actions that an organisation takes to promote and protect the safety and well-being of children who access their service.

At YWCA Canberra, we are committed to doing everything possible to protect the children who attend our services. We have established comprehensive policies and procedures that form the foundation of our safeguarding principles. These policies and procedures encompass various aspects, including identifying and reporting concerns, maintaining a child-safe culture, ensuring safe environments, and training all staff to be aware of their responsibilities. By adhering to these principles, we can collectively ensure that we provide the highest level of care and protection for the children under our supervision.

We encourage families to reach out to their Program Manager, to engage in conversations about child safety. We have equipped all our educators with training and resources to facilitate these safeguarding discussions. In discussions that have already taken place, a recurring theme was identified, parents are often unsure about what questions to ask regarding safeguarding.

. Here are some examples of questions you may like to ask your service:

· How does the recruitment process support safeguarding principes?

· How does the vulnerable peoples card work in the ACT or the Children’s Check in NSW?

· What is a supervision plan and how does this keep children safe?

· What risk assessments need to be in place to be compliant with the National Laws and regulations?

· How does an organisation Code of Conduct safeguard children?

· What are the elements of a child-safe culture?

· What is the Early Childhood Code of Ethics and how does this apply to child-safety

As an organisation, we have been investing in building the capacity of our leadership team to understand the National Law and Regulations. We have engaged in in-depth discussions on our decision making framework and provided the necessary support tools to fulfill their roles and responsibilities. This knowledge and support create a ripple effect, benefiting our educators who work with children every day.

Within our organisation, we embrace a growth mindset, and safeguarding principles and strategies are at the forefront of our continued development. Our foremost purpose is to support and educate children, paving the way for their future.

Chiara Will

Chiara is Director of School Age Care at YWCA Canberra, bringing a wealth of knowledge and a diverse range of leadership and management experience across the Early Childhood Education sector. Having held roles from Administration Officer to Centre Director, she brings a holistic skill base and a strength in solution-based approaches to learning. 

Prior to joining YWCA Canberra, Chiara led a team of over 25 educators, driving policy development, professional training and development, and contributing to Quality Improvement, Sustainability, Reconciliation, and Strategic Inclusion Action Plans. 

In her current role, Chiara leads the strategic development of processes and systems that ensure high-quality, safe, and inclusive environments for children. She mentors and empowers managers, leaders, and educators to deliver best-practice programs aligned with regulatory standards, fosters strong stakeholder partnerships, and guides the Quality Support Team in managing compliance and quality assurance across services. 

Shane McAlpine

Shane is Director of Children’s Services (ECEC) at YWCA Canberra, overseeing eight early learning services with 24 years of experience in the early childhood sector. He brings an extensive understanding of education and care, current practices, and regulatory requirements, with a robust approach to developing high-quality practitioners. 

Shane supports the day-to-day operation of educational practices and curriculum across all our early learning centres, with quality and pedagogical practice at the forefront. He plays a critical role in providing escalation support and mentorship to centre directors and educators alike. 

His professional passions include children’s rights, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander inclusion and teaching perspectives, and advocacy for the early childhood profession. He is an active representative on the ACT committee of Early Childhood Australia. 

As a father of two children who have experienced the early years system firsthand, Shane brings a deeply personal understanding of the challenges families face in balancing work and parenting. This perspective shapes his inclusive, stakeholder-centred approach to service delivery across every centre he works with. 

Katherine Hellwig

Katherine is the Executive Director of Children’s Services at YWCA Canberra, bringing over 23 years of extensive experience in delivering education and care in ACT and the surrounding areas of the city. Her career spans both not-for-profit and commercial providers, highlighting her versatile and adaptable nature. 

For over 11 years, Katherine has held an executive role within a not-for-profit organisation that experienced significant growth in its early education and care portfolio. Her responsibilities included managing programs and initiatives that fostered engagement within the local community. 

Katherine began her career as an educator, and this hands-on experience has given her a profound understanding of the critical role educators play in the lives of children and families. Her qualifications include an Advanced Diploma of Children’s Services, an Undergraduate Certificate in Service Management, and a Diploma of Leadership and Management. In 2018, Katherine was honoured with the Community for Children’s Award by the ACT Children’s Week Committee, recognising her dedication and impact on the community.  

Katherine is driven by a strong pedagogical belief that all children have the right to access quality early learning in their first five years of life. She focuses on delivering high-quality education and care in both early education and after school care programs, ensuring children receive the best start in life.  

Frances Crimmins

Frances Crimmins is the Chief Executive Officer of YWCA Canberra and has led the organisation since 2013, driving significant growth, high-quality integrated service delivery, and stronger corporate efficiency. Under her leadership, the non-profit organisation has become a courageous community advocate, ensuring the needs of vulnerable communities are seen, heard, and addressed locally and nationally. 

Frances brings a diverse background spanning the private and not-for-profit sectors across business, hospitality, healthcare, and community services. She remains a passionate advocate for policy initiatives addressing the root causes of women’s housing insecurity, homelessness, gender inequality, and gender-based violence. 

Frances also currently serves as Chair of Homelessness Australia and sits on the ACT Work Health Safety Advisory Council. Her former board roles include ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS), WESNET, the ACT Ministerial Advisory Committee for Women, and Co-Chair of Anti-Poverty Week in the ACT. 

Her leadership has been recognised with an Edna Ryan Award (2015), ACT Leader of the Year at the Australian Leadership Excellence Awards (2016), and selection into the inaugural Social Impact Leadership Australia (SILA) program (2021). Frances regularly represents YWCA Canberra at the United Nations Commission for the Status of Women in New York. 

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