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​​Safeg​uarding Children and Young People

Childhood is a time to have fun, be carefree, splash around, play games – and the Y is a great place to enjoy being a child. At the Y, Safeguarding Children and Young People is our highest priority, so we want Children and Young People to hear our message loud and clear, we want you to “Feel Safe and Be Safe”.

Offering safe spaces for kids to enjoy being kids is one of our greatest privileges. Whether it’s at a Recreation Centre, an Early Learning Centre, an Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) program, gymnastics or a camp – we offer so many programs and services for Children and Young People – places of connection and belonging.

We always want to see things through the eyes of Children and Young People – to make sure they’re kept safe. That’s why we are committed to truly listening to Children and Young People – and amplifying their voices. We believe in the power of inspired Young People, and for Young People to be inspired they must be safe, and they must feel safe.


Feel Safe, Be Safe at the Y

We have established Y Safeguarding to drive our collective approach to safeguarding Children and Young People and have developed our own Feel Safe, Be Safe Framework which aspires to ensure that all Children and Young People are safe and feel safe at the Y, in their Families and in their Communities. Our Feel Safe, Be Safe Framework aims to develop:

  • A safe culture nationally which empowers Children an​d Young People by promoting Children and Young Person focused leadership and governance;
  • Safe environments at the Y and in Communities which empower Children and Young People to thrive; and
  • Safe operations to ensure Y People have the right policies, processes and practices to keep Children and Young People safe.


 Our Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy


Safeguarding Young People Statement of Commitment

​The YMCA of the Northern Territory (Y NT) and its Board of Directors commits to empowering all children and young people to feel safe and be safe at the YMCA (Y), in their families and their communities. 

The Y NT strictly adheres to all the requirements under the Care and Protection of Children Act and the Education and Care Services National Regulations and the National Law.

We commit to listening to children and young People, empowering them to speak up and amplifying their voices. This includes those from diverse backgrounds including our First Nations Children and Young People, those living with disability, those from culturally and linguistically diverse communities and those who identify as LGBTIQA+. 

Our employees, volunteers, Board of Directors, students on placement, consultants and contractors, affiliated associations, clients, parents, guardians, families and others associated with the Y are required to understand and act immediately on the important responsibility they have to:
Ensure all Y NT staff complete continuous safeguarding children and young people training and understand their responsibilities to act in the best interests of children and young people.
Ensure all Y NT staff hold a current Working with Children Check Card (Ochre Card) and have undergone a National Police Check.
Act according to the values of the Y: honesty, respect, caring, responsibility and safety.
Protect children, young people and vulnerable adults from all forms of abuse, bullying and exploitation and take the appropriate steps to report and respond to any incidents of abuse, neglect or exploitation brought to the attention of the Y NT.
Promote a positive reporting culture of openness and fearlessness 

As part of our National Safeguarding Strategy at the Y, we have developed our Safeguarding Framework which aspires to ensure that all Children and Young People are safe and feel safe at the Y, in their families and in their communities. 
At the Y NT we commit to embedding our Safeguarding Framework across all our Member Y NT programs and services, and to continue to work towards achieving our mission. In doing this, we commit to providing an environment that ensures the safety and wellbeing of all Children and Young People, families and communities and our Y NT People. 
We commit to implementing our Stay Safe, Tell Someone Program by supporting Children and Young People as well as Y NT People to understand that if they see, hear, or feel something that makes them feel worried or concerned, they can tell someone at the Y NT. 

​If you would like to discuss this very important topic with YMCA NT, or to make a report in regards to the safeguarding of children and young people, please contact us via the form below.​

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YNT Safeguarding Officer Contact Details:



The Y Northern Territory acknowledges the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures and to their Elders both past and present.​


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