MANA Youth Project is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, empowering, and welcoming environment for all children and young people.

The safety, wellbeing, participation, and empowerment of young people are at the heart of everything we do. We have zero tolerance for child abuse, neglect, grooming, discrimination, bullying, harassment, or any behaviour that places a young person at risk.

We are committed to creating a culture where young people feel respected, heard, valued, and supported to thrive.

MANA Youth Project complies with the Victorian Child Safe Standards and is committed to continuous improvement in all child safety practices.

We believe that every young person deserves to embark upon their journey in an environment that is safe, supportive, and empowering.

Through Mentorship, Academics, Navigation, and Authenticity, we strive to create communities where young people can discover who they are, develop confidence in their abilities, and find their path toward a flourishing future.

MANA Youth Project Child Safety & Wellbeing Commitment

Our Child Safe Principles

At MANA Youth Project, we believe that every child and young person has the right to:

Feel safe physically, emotionally, culturally, and online.
Be treated with dignity and respect.
Have their voice heard and taken seriously.
Participate in decisions that affect them.
Learn and grow in an environment free from abuse, discrimination, and harm.
Access trusted adults who will listen and respond appropriately to concerns.

Our Commitment to the Victorian Child Safe Standards

1. Cultural Safety

We are committed to creating a culturally safe environment where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people are respected, valued, and supported to maintain strong connections to culture, family, and community.

2. Leadership and Governance

Child safety is embedded within the leadership, governance, and culture of MANA Youth Project. Child safety is a shared responsibility across our organisation.

3. Empowering Young People

We actively encourage young people to understand their rights, express their views, participate in decision-making, and raise concerns without fear of judgment or retaliation.

4. Family and Community Engagement

We believe child safety is strengthened through partnerships with families, carers, educators, mentors, and the broader community.

5. Equity and Inclusion

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating inclusive environments where all young people feel welcome and respected regardless of:

Ability or disability
Cultural background
Language
Gender identity
Family structure
Religious beliefs
Personal circumstances

6. Suitable Staff and Volunteers

All staff, volunteers, mentors, facilitators, and leaders working with young people are appropriately screened, trained, supervised, and supported.

Where required by law, personnel will hold a valid Working With Children Check and comply with all child safety obligations.

7. Child-Focused Complaints Processes

Young people, families, volunteers, and staff are encouraged to raise concerns about safety and wellbeing.

We are committed to responding promptly, respectfully, and appropriately to all complaints and concerns.

8. Training and Education

All personnel receive child safety information, guidance, and ongoing professional development to ensure they understand their responsibilities and best practices for safeguarding young people.

9. Safe Physical and Online Environments

MANA Youth Project is committed to maintaining safe physical and digital environments that minimise opportunities for harm.

This includes:

Appropriate supervision
Safe mentoring practices
Online safety measures
Responsible use of digital communication platforms
Risk assessment procedures for activities and events

10. Continuous Improvement

We regularly review our child safety policies, practices, programs, and procedures to ensure they remain effective and responsive to the needs of young people.

11. Policies and Procedures

MANA Youth Project maintains documented policies and procedures that support child safety, wellbeing, reporting, recruitment, training, risk management, and incident response.

Our Expectations of Staff, Volunteers, and Mentors

All adults involved with MANA Youth Project are expected to:

Place the safety and wellbeing of young people first.
Model respectful and appropriate behaviour.
Maintain professional boundaries.
Report concerns, risks, or allegations immediately.
Respect confidentiality while meeting mandatory reporting obligations.
Promote a culture of inclusion, participation, and respect.

Failure to meet these expectations may result in disciplinary action, removal from programs, or referral to appropriate authorities.

Speaking Up

MANA Youth Project encourages all young people, families, volunteers, and community members to speak up if they feel unsafe or have concerns about the wellbeing of a child or young person.

All concerns will be treated seriously and managed in accordance with our Child Safety and Wellbeing Policies and relevant legal obligations.