What is
Safe Children, Safe Families?
Safe Children, Safe Families (SCSF) is an award-winning (2020 Zest Award for Exceptional Project in a Not For Profit Organisation) protective behaviours program for children aged 3-7 years old, their parents, childcare professionals and educators.
Delivered in childcare organisations and primary schools since 2016, the program provides young children with invaluable knowledge, skills and capabilities to build their resiliency against sexual abuse and other Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), such as bullying and online threats.
Early childhood professionals are taught how to recognise the early warning signs of abuse, given expert advice on reportable conduct requirements and provided with professional guidance on how to apply risk-reducing practices at work.
Parents and carers are also equipped with the information and skills they need to develop strong support networks and better protect the children in their care.
How does our program work?
1. Program for Children
In this component we provide children and young people with the information and skills they need to avoid potentially abusive situations and how to get help sooner if they experience an unsafe or potentially unsafe situation. A variety of personal safety topics are addressed in an engaging and culturally safe manner.
The program also includes child-friendly personal safety books from Protective Behaviours Inc. and the NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian SAFE book series.
2. Professional Development for
Early Childhood Professionals
In this component we develop staff capabilities across a range of child protection matters and to incorporate children’s personal safety into their everyday activities.
Topics include:
- Impacts of childhood abuse
- Implementing prevention strategies in a workplace setting
- Responding appropriately to disclosures and suspected instances of abuse
3. Parent Information Night
In this component we introduce the SCSF program to parents and carers and provide expert advice on how they can better protect under their children.
Topics include:
- How to initiate discussions with children on personal safety topics
- Strategies to protect children from maltreatment, abuse and other ACEs
- How to respond to disclosures in a safe and supportive manner.
Who can benefit from the
SCSF Program?
The prevalence of reported child abuse in Australia is alarming. We know that child abuse happens behind closed doors and that many cases are never reported. That’s why the aim of our program is to teach the important personal safety skills needed to keep our most vulnerable safe.
One of the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse was the need for: “prevention education delivered through preschool, school and other community institutional settings that aims to increase children’s knowledge of child sexual abuse and build practical skills to assist in strengthening self protective skills and strategies.”
Our program can be tailored to suit the unique needs of diverse cohorts. Versions of the program have been successfully delivered to children with disabilities, children affected by domestic and family violence and children from CALD, refugee and recent migrant communities.
SCSF achievements in 2020
494 children
154 parents
133 educators
Safe Children, Safe Families facilitator Dr. Reina Michaelson received the 2020 ZEST award for Exceptional Project!
Interested in Safe Children, Safe Families?
Testimonials
"Simple yet effective ways to communicate with children about safe and unsafe behaviours."
"This program can make a difference for children."
“I have heard my child use the terms they have learnt in the sessions in the pre-school room such as safe words, so amazing to see the information carry on.”
"It has been great to see how simple it can be to talk about things. Being able to listen and reassure children that they are safe and what they are saying is important and that they did the right thing."
"Excellent program and pertinent."
“I learnt so much new information in this session.”
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