Statement of Compliance

National Archives of Australia (National Archives) is committed to meeting the core requirements of the Commonwealth Child Safe Framework (the Framework), and to providing an environment where children are safe.

National Archives delivers national public engagement program services to enable all Australians to access and use the national archival collection including children. Well-established processes and child safe practices enable children to engage with exhibitions, lifelong learning, and school programs, which are supported by policies developed with respect for diversity. National Archives also collaborates with other national cultural institutions around similar programs for children and in developing a child safe policy as an ongoing activity to improve compliance with the Framework.

In recognising that National Archives delivers a range of activities and programs that children may access, the agency takes an activity-specific approach to implementation of the Framework, underpinned by an agency-wide Risk Assessment Framework. Risk assessment and policies for school visits are published on National Archives' website and the Book Canberra Excursions website, which is used for all school program bookings. National Archives overarching risk rating is low, as each program and event is assessed at all stages of planning and implementation. Identified risks to children include accidental harm through collision hazards and cultural abuse through lack of cultural respect. Mitigation strategies include staff training and induction (on role requirements, policy), low staff to child ratios, Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) registration, responsible adults being present at all times, equipment assessments, trauma-informed practices, first aid training, program review and continuous improvement. Any third parties engaged must have a WWVP registration and are accompanied by trained National Archives staff during programs.

All staff and contractors are required to adhere to the APS Values and Code of Conduct, as well as provide excellent service with regard to visitor experience, safety and wellbeing.

Publishing date Tuesday 31 October 2023