Our Commitment to Safe, Inclusive and Child-Centred Practice
Kosmovision_Child_Safety_and_Wellbeing_Policy.pdf
Kosmovision Foundation Ltd.
Approved: February 2026
Next scheduled review: June 2027
Our Commitment to Child Safety
Kosmovision Foundation is committed to creating and maintaining child-safe, child-centred and culturally safe environments where children and young people are safe, respected, listened to and supported to participate.
We have zero tolerance for child abuse, neglect, racism, discrimination, harassment, bullying, grooming or any behaviour that compromises the safety or dignity of children and young people.
We promote the rights of children to feel safe, express themselves, participate in decisions that affect them and have their concerns taken seriously.
We also recognise the importance of cultural safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people. Kosmovision supports equity and inclusion for children and young people with disability, neurodivergent children and young people, culturally and linguistically diverse children and young people, LGBTIQA+ young people, and those experiencing vulnerability or barriers to participation.
Purpose of This Policy
This Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy sets out Kosmovision Foundation Ltd.’s commitment to the safety, wellbeing, rights and participation of children and young people who engage with our programs, activities, spaces, staff, contractors, volunteers and collaborators.
Kosmovision delivers creative wellbeing, storytelling, visual arts and community participation programs. Some programs may include children and young people under 18.
This policy supports compliance with the Victorian Child Safe Standards and provides a clear framework for child safety prevention, safe practice, reporting and continuous improvement.
Who This Policy Applies To
For this policy, a child means any person under 18 years of age.
The policy applies to all Kosmovision activities involving children, including:
• Workshops and mentoring
• Creative labs
• Community events
• Online communications
• Exhibitions
• Outreach activities
• Photography and documentation
• Collaborations involving contact with children
The policy applies to Board members, employees, contractors, facilitators, artists, volunteers, student placements, advisors and anyone representing Kosmovision Foundation.
Child Safe Code of Conduct
Everyone representing Kosmovision must behave in ways that protect and uphold the rights, safety and wellbeing of children and young people.
Expected behaviours include:
• Treating children and young people with respect, dignity, fairness and kindness.
• Using inclusive, strengths-based and developmentally appropriate language.
• Respecting cultural identity, disability, neurodivergence, gender identity, sexuality, family structure, religion, language and background.
• Listening to children and young people and taking their views and concerns seriously.
• Maintaining professional boundaries and avoiding favouritism, secrecy, private gifts or exclusive relationships.
• Using open, transparent and supervised program environments wherever possible.
• Obtaining consent before photography, filming, publication of creative work or sharing identifying information.
• Reporting child safety concerns, disclosures, suspected harm, breaches or incidents as soon as possible.
Prohibited Behaviours
Kosmovision does not permit:
• Physical, sexual, emotional, psychological or cultural abuse.
• Neglect, grooming, exploitation, bullying or harassment.
• Unnecessary physical contact or physical discipline.
• Intimidation, humiliation or threatening behaviour.
• Being alone with a child where this is not required, transparent, authorised and appropriately risk-managed.
• Private online contact with a child outside approved communication channels.
• Sharing children’s images, personal information or creative work without appropriate consent.
• Working under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Sexualised, discriminatory or inappropriate language or material involving children.
Recruitment, Screening and Training
Kosmovision takes reasonable steps to ensure that people working with children are suitable and understand their responsibilities.
This includes appropriate Working with Children Checks for relevant staff, contractors, artists, volunteers and students, consideration of role suitability and experience, reference checks where appropriate, and induction covering child safety, professional boundaries, supervision, reporting pathways and confidentiality.
Safe Program Delivery
Kosmovision programs are designed to be low-pressure, inclusive, non-clinical and community-based.
Program planning considers:
• Age and developmental needs
• Accessibility requirements
• Cultural safety
• Group dynamics
• Venue suitability
• Participant wellbeing
• Supervision and sign-in/sign-out processes
• Communication needs
• Consent for participation, photography, video and creative work
• Online content and communication with families
Children and young people are not required to disclose personal trauma, diagnosis or private experiences in order to participate.
Online Safety, Images and Communications
Kosmovision uses transparent and appropriate communication practices with children, young people and families.
Program communication with children should occur through parent/carer-approved channels or approved organisational channels wherever practicable.
Staff, contractors and volunteers must not use private social media or personal messaging to build private relationships with children.
Images, recordings, participant names and creative works will only be used where written consent has been obtained and the use is appropriate, respectful and safe.
Online and digital activities are planned to reduce risks including private contact, inappropriate content, cyberbullying, unauthorised recording and privacy breaches.
Responding to Child Safety Concerns
Any child safety concern, disclosure, allegation, suspected harm, breach of conduct or incident must be taken seriously and responded to promptly. The safety of the child is the first priority.
If a child is in immediate danger or urgent medical or police assistance is required, call 000.
When a child raises a concern, staff should listen calmly, believe the child, avoid leading questions, not promise secrecy and reassure the child that they have done the right thing by speaking up.
Concerns should be reported internally to the Executive Director / Child Safety Contact as soon as possible, unless that person is involved in the concern.
Where required or appropriate, concerns may be reported to Victoria Police, Child Protection, The Orange Door or another relevant authority. Mandatory reporters must comply with their legal obligations.
Complaints and Feedback
Kosmovision provides clear pathways for children, young people, families, staff, volunteers and collaborators to raise concerns or make complaints.
Complaints may be made verbally or in writing to the Executive Director / Child Safety Contact.
Children and young people will be supported to raise concerns in ways that suit their communication needs.
All complaints will be treated respectfully, recorded, assessed and responded to in a timely manner. Retaliation against anyone who raises a child safety concern is not tolerated.
Privacy and Confidentiality
Kosmovision handles personal, health, family and child safety information carefully and confidentially.
Information is shared only with people who need to know for child safety, legal, reporting, supervision or risk management purposes. Records are stored securely and access is limited.
Confidentiality cannot be promised where a child or young person may be at risk of harm, where there is a legal reporting obligation, or where information must be shared to protect safety.
Risk Management and Continuous Improvement
Child safety risks are considered during program planning, venue selection, recruitment, communication, supervision, online activities, transport arrangements where relevant, photography, community events and participant support.
Kosmovision manages identified risks through clear roles, supervision, consent, accessible communication, incident reporting and regular review.
This policy is reviewed at least annually and earlier where there is a child safety incident, complaint, legislative change, change in program scope or identified need for improvement. Feedback from children, young people, families, staff, volunteers, contractors and community partners helps inform ongoing improvements.
Victorian Child Safe Standards
Kosmovision works to embed the Victorian Child Safe Standards across governance, program design, recruitment, delivery, participation, reporting and review.
The organisation’s approach includes culturally safe environments, child safety leadership and governance, participation and empowerment of children, family and community involvement, equity and inclusion, suitable and supported workers, child-focused complaints processes, staff training, safe physical and online environments, regular review and documented child-safe policies and procedures.
Third-Party Venues and Collaborators
When Kosmovision works with external venues, Council facilities, community spaces, contractors or partner organisations, child safety responsibilities are considered during planning.
This includes venue suitability, supervision, accessibility, emergency procedures, privacy, consent, reporting pathways and relevant third-party child safety obligations.
Kosmovision remains responsible for applying its child safety practices during its programs and clarifies roles and reporting lines with collaborators before activities involving children commence.
Key Contacts
Internal Child Safety Contact
Cira Mozos Ansorena, Executive Director
Email: contact@kosmovision.org.au
Phone: 0414 053 211
Emergency
Call 000 for immediate danger, urgent medical help or police assistance.
Victoria Police
Contact local police or call 000 in an emergency.
Child Protection / The Orange Door
Contact the relevant local service where child wellbeing or family violence concerns require support or escalation.
Policy Approval
Approved by: Cira Mozos Ansorena, Executive Director / Chair
Date approved: February 2026
Next review: June 2027, or earlier if legislation, program scope or organisational risk changes.
Kosmovision Foundation Ltd.
Public policy published at kosmovision.org.au.