YWAM Wollongong

Child Protection

Working With Children
Policies & Procedures

YWAM Wollongong is unequivocally committed to the safety, welfare, and empowerment of every child and young person in our care.

Version 4.0 — 12 June 2026 — ABN: 23 868 511 796

Foreword

This document is YWAM Wollongong's Working With Children Policies and Procedures and details the code of conduct for all full-time staff, students, and volunteers on YWAM Wollongong premises in relation to Child Safe Policy guidelines. This document also applies to any YWAM Wollongong organised event or ministry, either on or off YWAM premises.

Preamble

Scope of This Policy

This working with children policy is for children under the protection of Youth With A Mission Wollongong. There are numerous organisations that inform us of our Godly responsibilities toward children in our care as well as the laws of the nations in which we live and operate.

In this document you will find the term beneficiary child. This is to be defined as any individual under the age of 18 who is a participant, student, attendee, or recipient of care in any YWAM Wollongong program, ministry, outreach, or event.

Note: This policy applies strictly to interactions with beneficiary children. It does not govern how staff parents raise or interact with their own biological or legally adopted children, though all adults on campus are expected to maintain a safe environment.

Note on Staff Dependents: Children of YWAM staff who reside on or visit the campus are under the primary supervision and care of their parents. However, all behavioural protocols, screening requirements, and reporting mechanisms in this policy apply fully to protect staff dependents.

Our Foundation

Statement of Commitment

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Foundational Vision

YWAM Wollongong is unequivocally committed to the safety, welfare, and empowerment of all children and youth. We expect all leaders, staff, students, and volunteers to model positive, supportive, and healthy relationships in every aspect of our mission.

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Inherent Dignity and Worth

We affirm that every child has immense value, worth, and dignity because they are created in the image of God. Therefore, we commit to treating every young person with deep respect and caring for them in ways that honour God.

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Universal Right to Protection

We believe that every child has an absolute right to protection from abuse, exploitation, and harm. This right applies universally, regardless of race, social background, age, gender, skin colour, ability, religion, nationality, or beliefs.

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Zero Tolerance for Abuse and Silence

YWAM maintains a zero-tolerance stance toward all forms of child abuse and exploitation. We firmly assert that child abuse is wrong, and that remaining silent is equally wrong if there is reasonable cause to suspect a child is being harmed.

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Proactive Prevention

We are dedicated to implementing strict preventative measures designed not only to safeguard children from harm by any YWAM personnel or visitors, but also to uphold the integrity of our ministry and the global organisation.

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Amplifying Children's Voices

We recognise that children have a right to speak and a right to be heard. YWAM Wollongong commits to creating safe spaces for children to express themselves, ensuring their voices are valued and, where appropriate, included as active stakeholders.

Definitions

Defining Child Abuse

Physical Abuse

Actual or likely physical injury, or the failure to prevent physical injury. This includes deliberate hitting, beating, shaking, burning, or poisoning.

Mental / Emotional Abuse

Severe adverse effects on a child's emotional development caused by persistent ill-treatment or rejection. This includes any communication implying a child is worthless, unloved, or inadequate.

Sexual Abuse

Exploiting a child or adolescent in sexual activities they cannot truly comprehend or consent to. This includes touching a child's genitals, coercing them into sexual acts, exposing them to pornography, and the production, possession, viewing, or distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM).

Behavioural Protocols

Code of Conduct

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Our Expectations

  • ▸Show Respect: Treat all children associated with the work of YWAM with respect and dignity at all times.
  • ▸Sign and Comply: All staff, students and short-term volunteers must read and sign this Child Protection Policy, understanding that inappropriate behaviour will result in strict disciplinary action.
  • ▸Supervise Visitors: Ensure that visitors to YWAM projects and program areas are never left unsupervised.
  • ▸Take Responsibility: Adults are always responsible for their behaviour and cannot blame a child under any circumstances.
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Strict Prohibitions

  • ▸Never Be Alone: Do not be alone with a beneficiary child in a private place that cannot be readily observed by other responsible adults.
  • ▸No Unauthorised Overnights: Beneficiary children must not stay overnight with a staff member, student, or volunteer without written custodial consent.
  • ▸No Unauthorised Home Visits: Do not host a beneficiary child by yourself at your own home without written permission.
  • ▸No 1-on-1 Transport: Do not drive a beneficiary child home without at least one other person present, unless you have written custodial consent.
  • ▸No Inappropriate Touch: Do not touch a child inappropriately. Do not touch children in areas normally covered by a swimsuit.
  • ▸No Humiliating Discipline: Do not discipline a child in a humiliating or physical way, or use verbal abuse.
  • ▸No Inappropriate Media: Do not expose children to inappropriate materials such as pornographic videos or literature.
  • ▸No Personal Contact: Do not contact any beneficiary children via personal social media accounts or online video game platforms.

Protocol

Response to Allegations Checklist

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Phase 1: Immediate Safety & Containment

  • ▸Ensure Immediate Safety: Take necessary steps to provide for the physical and emotional safety of the alleged victim.
  • ▸Suspend the Accused: Temporarily suspend the accused individual from all duties until the investigation is completed and allegations are conclusively dismissed.
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Phase 2: Notification & Reporting

  • ▸Clarify the Allegation & Establish Suspicion: Document the precise nature of the allegation. A formal report must be made if there is a reasonable suspicion of abuse.
  • ▸Notify Authorities & Insurer: Report to Police and relevant child protection authorities if required. Formally notify ACS Insurance Services of the allegation.
  • ▸NSW Reportable Conduct Notification: If the allegation involves a staff member, student, or volunteer, notify the NSW Office of the Children's Guardian within 7 days.
  • ▸Inform the Accused: Inform the accused of the nature of the allegations against them and outline the investigation process.
  • ▸Inform Parents/Guardians: Inform the child's parents or guardians of the allegations and explain the upcoming process.
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Phase 3: Investigation

  • ▸Develop an Investigation Plan: Create a structured, confidential plan to investigate the incident thoroughly.
  • ▸Allow Right of Reply: Formally put the allegations to the alleged accused and allow them sufficient, reasonable time to respond.
  • ▸Conduct the Investigation: Conduct a timely internal investigation in close consultation with YWAM leaders and professional legal/child safety services as needed.
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Phase 4: Conclusion

  • ▸Communicate Findings: Communicate the findings of the investigation to all relevant people.
  • ▸Action Substantiated Abuse: If abuse has occurred, notify appropriate legal authorities. The individual will be dismissed immediately and subject to criminal prosecution.
  • ▸Action Unsubstantiated Abuse: If no evidence of abuse is found, formally notify the informant, alleged victim, and the accused.

Standards

Recruitment & Screening Standards

Mandatory Clearance & Background Checks

  • ▸YWAM Staff: Minimum of two references, signed Acceptance of Place document confirming no criminal history, and a current NSW WWCC.
  • ▸Students: Minimum of two references, signed Acceptance of Place document confirming no criminal history, and a current NSW WWCC if their role or outreach involves direct interaction with beneficiary children.
  • ▸Short-term Volunteers: Minimum of two references and a current NSW WWCC if their role or outreach involves direct interaction with beneficiary children.

Policy Agreement Prior to Arrival

Applies to all YWAM Staff, students, and short-term volunteers. Information regarding our child protection policies must be provided to all applicants prior to their official acceptance. All incoming personnel must sign the Child Protection Policy declaration page, confirming they have no previous convictions involving child abuse, violent behaviour, or any other offences that would raise concerns regarding the safety of children.

Mandatory Child Safety Training

Child safety training is mandatory prior to beginning ministry with any beneficiary children. Mandatory refresher training must be completed by all active personnel on a regular, recurring basis.

Zero Tolerance Policy

Any individual found to have previous convictions for violent or sexually related offences involving minors will be strictly rejected and barred from serving as staff, students, or volunteers.

Guidelines for Underage Volunteers (Minors Under 18)

  • ▸Under 13: May only volunteer if accompanied and directly supervised by a parent or legal guardian.
  • ▸13 to 15 Years: Restricted to 3 hours/day (18 hours/week) during school terms, or up to 8 hours/day (40 hours/week) during school closures. Parent/guardian permission required.
  • ▸16 to 18 Years: Restricted to 40 hours per week. Parent/guardian permission required.

Guidelines

Communication & Privacy

Respectful Imagery

All communications must use images that preserve a child's dignity, self-worth, and value.

Identity Protection

Public relations materials will only ever use a child's first name. Last names and specific geographic addresses will never be distributed. Parental consent required.

Strict Confidentiality

Disclosure of any information regarding past or present abuse must be strictly limited only to those who absolutely need to know.

Compliance

Policy Compliance & Concluding Statements

Zero Tolerance for Violations

Breach of this Child Protection Policy is treated with the utmost seriousness. Any staff member, student, or volunteer who violates these protocols will face immediate disciplinary action, up to and including termination of their association with YWAM Wollongong and potential criminal prosecution.

Ignorance is No Defence

All personnel are provided access to this policy prior to arrival and are required to sign the commitment declaration. Cultivating an unfamiliarity with these rules, or claiming ignorance of the policy standards, will not be accepted as an excuse or a defence for inappropriate behaviour.

A Shared Responsibility

Keeping children safe is not just the job of leadership; it is a community-wide culture. Every individual on this campus is expected to actively maintain healthy boundaries, look out for the vulnerable, and immediately report any red flags.

Continuous Review & Board Oversight

This policy and its practical application will be formally reviewed by leadership every three years, or sooner if required by changes in NSW legislation. The YWAM Wollongong Board commits to maintaining a regular, standing agenda item at board meetings to review the implementation of our child safety processes.

References

  • ▸UN Convention on the Rights of the Child: The foundational international treaty on children's rights.
  • ▸NSW Office of the Children's Guardian: The statutory body overseeing child safe organisations and the Working with Children Check in NSW.
  • ▸National Principles for Child Safe Organisations: Australia's national framework for embedding a child-safe culture.

Commitment

Declaration

It is requested that this declaration be signed by YWAM staff, students, and short-term volunteers.

I declare that:

Sign here with mouse or touch
20/07/2026

Questions?

Get in Touch

If you have any questions about this policy, please contact the YWAM Wollongong team.

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