Safeguarding Manager (Children and Young People)

At the Y, we want all Children and Young People to feel safe, and be safe. 

We're looking for a compassionate and dedicated leader to champion the Y Northern Territory’s commitment to keeping Children and Young People safe. 

Childhood and youth are times to have fun, be carefree, and enjoy life. All Children and Young People have a right to live a full life, and to be protected from harm. 

As the Safeguarding Manager, you will foster an organisational culture of safeguarding Children and Young People by building organisational capacity and embedding principles of continuous improvement, prevention and early intervention across our services.

You will ensure that the Y adheres to our National Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy, Framework and Licensing Standards, in addition to our legislative child protection obligations.

ABOUT THE Y NORTHERN TERRITORY

The Y Northern Territory is a not-for-profit, community organisation working for a better world, with and for Young People.

Proudly Territorian, we’ve been delivering grassroots programs across the Northern Territory for over 50 years.

We’re also part of a global YMCA network - the world’s largest youth movement, reaching almost 65 million people in 120 countries.

At the Y, we believe in the power of inspired Young People. When Children and Young People have a strong foundation, the tools to grow and the right support, we know it can have a profound impact on the trajectory of their lives, and on the world around them.

That’s why we’re dedicated to walking alongside Children and Young People, from their early life to adulthood. Because when they thrive, we all thrive.

WHAT YOU BRING TO THE ROLE

We’re looking for someone with:

• Excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal abilities.
• Compassion and care for children, Young People and communities.
• A high level of experience in developing effective working relationships, both internally and externally.
• Previous experience supporting and empowering Children and Young People.
• An understanding of the Northern Territory child safety regulations, policies, procedures and best practices.
• The ability to function as part of a multi-disciplinary team as well as independently; and manage projects through to completion.
• Demonstrated ability to make strategic decisions and solve complex problems.
• Relevant experience developing and/or delivering training courses.

KEY OUTCOMES AND ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

*The Y Northern Territory embeds the Safeguarding Children and Young People Framework (Safe Culture, Safe Operations, Safe Environments) and is compliant with the national Y Safeguarding Licencing Standards and all relevant legislation.

*The Y Northern Territory has a Safe Culture that empowers Children and Young People through effective leadership and governance.

• Leadership: Lead the Y Northern Territory’s implementation of the Safeguarding Framework and act as the designated Safeguarding Lead and primary contact.
• Governance: Ensure that Safeguarding is a priority for the organisation, embedded in strategy documents, business plans and risk management frameworks. As the Safeguarding Lead, liaise with the Board Safeguarding Sponsor and Sub-Committee, and the national Y Safeguarding team.
• Empowerment: Ensure the voices and perspectives of Children and Young People are embedded in all Y Northern Territory’s operations.
• Values and Behaviours: Ensure all Y people understand and act in accordance with the Y Safe Behaviours and Code of Conduct.
• Education and Training: Provide guidance, advice, support and ongoing learning and training opportunities to all Y people, including management and leadership staff. 
• Continuous Improvement: Oversee internal and external audits and reviews to ensure the Y Northern Territory’s compliance with relevant safeguarding legislation and regulations. Facilitate ongoing learning and continuous improvement across the organisation.

*The Y Northern Territory has Safe Operations to ensure Y People, parents/ carers and community have the right policies, processes and practices to keep Children and Young People safe.

• People: Ensure all recruitment, employment and contractor processes adhere to Safeguarding Policy requirements.
• Policies, Procedures and Practices: Ensure all Safeguarding processes are clearly communicated in policies, procedures and resources, and embedded in operational practices across the Y.
• Concerns and Complaints: Ensure all concerns, complaints, reports, allegations and investigations are managed appropriately, as per Safeguarding policy and guidance and mandatory reporting requirements. Ensure that records are stored safely and confidentially. 

*The Y Northern Territory has Safe Environments which empower Children and Young People to thrive.

• Physical environment: Oversee and support initiatives that ensure the Y is a safe space for all.
• E-Safety: Embed principles of online safety in child and youth activities and services.
• Families and Communities: Ensure families, caregivers and communities are actively engaged with on safeguarding matters, operations and governance.
• Diversity: Ensure the Y is a safe space for all Children and Young People, regardless of culture, race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, background.

SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT

At the Y, we are committed to empowering all Children and Young People to feel safe and be safe, at the Y, in their families and in their communities. As such, we ensure that all of our candidates are appropriately screened (including police checks) to make sure that the right people are in the right roles. 

To learn more about our screening processes, click here to view our Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy: https://ymca.org.au/about-us/safeguarding-children-young-people/safeguardingresources

INTERESTED?

Great! We’d love to read your application! Please apply for this role via Seek.

If you have got questions about this role, please contact our CEO Susannah Le Bron at ***************@ynt.org.au

Applications close on the 23rd March 2024.

Just to manage expectations – our People & Culture Manager is on annual leave until mid-March and won’t be reviewing applications until their return, so please don’t be put off if you don’t hear from us straight away.