The Victorian Government has introduced child-safety standards to improve the way organisations that provide services and programs for children prevent and respond to allegations of child abuse that may occur within their organisation.  

The standards aim to drive cultural change in organisations so that protecting children from abuse is embedded in the everyday thinking and practice of leaders, staff, hirers and volunteers. This will assist organisations to:  

• Prevent child abuse  

• Encourage reporting of any abuse that does occur and  

• Improve responses to any allegations of child abuse.  

Fairfax Youth Initiative Commitment to Children and Young People  

All children working with or engaged by FYI have a right to feel and be safe, respected, valued and protected from harm. All children and young people should know and feel confident in their rights and responsibilities.  

FYI is strongly committed to the safety and well-being of all children who interact with our organisation as employees, audience members, education program participants, hirers or otherwise by creating and maintaining a child-safe environment. The welfare of children entrusted under our care is our first priority, and we have zero tolerance for child abuse.  

At Fairfax Youth Festival, our top priority is the safety and well-being of our youth participants

We are committed to providing a nurturing, safe, supportive and secure environment that fully immerses them in the creative process. To ensure a safe and nurturing experience, we have taken the following measures:

Youth Workers and Trained Mental Health Workers: Swan Hill Rural City Council will provide dedicated youth workers who are experienced in supporting young people's well-being. These trained professionals will be available throughout the camp to provide guidance, mentorship, and emotional support to all participants.

Working with Children's Checks: All artists and staff in the Square Pegged camp hold valid and up-to-date Working with Children's Checks. This ensures that everyone working with your teenager has undergone thorough background checks and is authorised to work with children.

Camp Agreement: all young participating artists will co-design and create a camp agreement about expected rules and expectations. Suppose any participants do not adhere to the agreement. In that case, they will forfeit their right to continue as part of the Fairfax Festival Camp, and we reserve the right to send any participant home who does not adhere to the co-design camp agreements.

The camp will be hosted at the Swan Hill Rural City Council Pioneer Settlement, which also has its own rules and expectations of participants staying at the camp - which must be adhered to at all times.

For Further Information:  

Swan Hill Rural City Swan Hill Town Hall has a Child Safe Policy outlining a framework for managing and reducing the risk of harm to children and young people engaging with all of Swan Hill Town Hall.  

FYI appoints Child Safety Officers, who are the first point of contact for all enquiries in relation to the safety and well-being of children engaged with us.  

Our Festival Coordinator is our Child Safety Officer. Additional Child Safety Officers are appointed from the following areas to ensure the presence of a Child Safety Officer whenever FYI is operating:  

•  Artistic Associates

• Back of House team 
  

To contact a Child Safety Officer, please contact a FYI staff member. They will arrange contact with a Child Safety Officer for you.