Public Exhibition of the Interactions with Children and Young People Policy

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We are publicly exhibiting our draft Interactions with Children and Young People Policy. This page explains what the Interactions with Children and Young People Policy is and how you can view and provide feedback during the public exhibition period.


Update: March 2026

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback during the consultation period. The draft interactions with Children and Young People Policy was adopted at the Council Meeting on Monday 23 March. Further updates will be shared shortly. To view the meeting recording, visit the Meetings of Council webpage.

While on public exhibition, Council asked key stakeholders for feedback. This included the Office of the Children’s Guardian, local schools, local early learning services, the local youth sector and the broader community.


Based on the feedback received, changes were made to the Policy, for example:


  • Including more specific language around the requirement of Council Officials to include the voices of children and young people in the recruitment process for child‑related work.
  • Including more specific language around accountability and guidance for Council Officials. This relates to one‑to‑one interactions with children and young people.
  • Updating references and legislation within the Policy to ensure all titles are current.
  • Including clearer wording about the importance of children’s rights and best interests.
  • Added definitions to provide clearer guidance and to reduce ambiguity.


About the draft Interactions with Children and Young People Policy

Georges River Council recognises the rights of children and young people to feel safe when accessing Council services. Council is committed to creating and maintaining an environment that promotes the safety of all children and young people. This includes encouraging a culture where the prevention and reporting of abuse is supported and encouraged.

Council's Interactions with Children and Young People Policy is the overarching document within Council's Child Safe Framework. The Policy:

  • Ensures that Council provides a safe environment for children and young people.
  • Outlines the professional and legal obligations of Council Officials, including staff and Councillors in relation to child protection.
  • Ensures that Council remains compliant with all legislation pertaining to child protection.


Why are we updating the Interactions with Children and Young People Policy?

The Interactions with Children and Young People Policy is being updated to:

  • Align with the evolving needs of the Georges River Community.
  • Align with Council's updated child safe practices.
  • Ensure that Council remains compliant with changing legislation.
  • Ensure that Council retains a robust framework of accountability in the context of child protection for Council Officials.


What are the key changes?

The main changes made to the Interactions with Children and Young People Policy are:

  • The inclusion of information regarding Council's staffing structure in respect to child protection.
  • Updated information about Council's Child Protection Reporting Framework
  • Updated information about internal processes to be undertaken when engaging external contractors for child-related work or activities.
  • More specific information about the requirement for Council staff to include the voices of children and young people in the recruitment process for child-related work.
  • Increased accountability and guidance around one-to-one interactions with children and young people.


Where can I read the draft Interactions with Children and Young People Policy?

You can read the full draft Interactions with Children and Young People Policy here:

Draft Interactions with Children and Young People Policy


How our community can be involved

The draft Interactions with Children and Young People Policy was on public exhibition from Thursday 20 November 2025 to Monday 19 January 2026. During this time, the draft Policy was available for a set number of days for everyone to view and provide feedback.

Feedback has closed, but if you would like to enquire about this project, please quote 'SF25/7406 Your Say Public Submission - Interactions with Children and Young People Policy' at the beginning of your message and return:

  • In person to Georges River Council Civic Centre or Libraries
  • Via email: mail@georgesriver.nsw.gov.au
  • Via post: PO Box 205, Hurstville BC NSW 1481


What happens next

Your feedback will be reviewed and will inform the final version of the Interactions with Children and Young People Policy. When the Interactions with Children and Young People Policy is endorsed by Council, it will be published on our website.


Do you need assistance reading and accessing this page?

For a free interpreter call us via the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 131 450

If you have a hearing or speech impairment, please contact the National Relay Service:

  • Voice Relay number: 1300 555 727
  • TTY number: 133 677


We are publicly exhibiting our draft Interactions with Children and Young People Policy. This page explains what the Interactions with Children and Young People Policy is and how you can view and provide feedback during the public exhibition period.


Update: March 2026

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback during the consultation period. The draft interactions with Children and Young People Policy was adopted at the Council Meeting on Monday 23 March. Further updates will be shared shortly. To view the meeting recording, visit the Meetings of Council webpage.

While on public exhibition, Council asked key stakeholders for feedback. This included the Office of the Children’s Guardian, local schools, local early learning services, the local youth sector and the broader community.


Based on the feedback received, changes were made to the Policy, for example:


  • Including more specific language around the requirement of Council Officials to include the voices of children and young people in the recruitment process for child‑related work.
  • Including more specific language around accountability and guidance for Council Officials. This relates to one‑to‑one interactions with children and young people.
  • Updating references and legislation within the Policy to ensure all titles are current.
  • Including clearer wording about the importance of children’s rights and best interests.
  • Added definitions to provide clearer guidance and to reduce ambiguity.


About the draft Interactions with Children and Young People Policy

Georges River Council recognises the rights of children and young people to feel safe when accessing Council services. Council is committed to creating and maintaining an environment that promotes the safety of all children and young people. This includes encouraging a culture where the prevention and reporting of abuse is supported and encouraged.

Council's Interactions with Children and Young People Policy is the overarching document within Council's Child Safe Framework. The Policy:

  • Ensures that Council provides a safe environment for children and young people.
  • Outlines the professional and legal obligations of Council Officials, including staff and Councillors in relation to child protection.
  • Ensures that Council remains compliant with all legislation pertaining to child protection.


Why are we updating the Interactions with Children and Young People Policy?

The Interactions with Children and Young People Policy is being updated to:

  • Align with the evolving needs of the Georges River Community.
  • Align with Council's updated child safe practices.
  • Ensure that Council remains compliant with changing legislation.
  • Ensure that Council retains a robust framework of accountability in the context of child protection for Council Officials.


What are the key changes?

The main changes made to the Interactions with Children and Young People Policy are:

  • The inclusion of information regarding Council's staffing structure in respect to child protection.
  • Updated information about Council's Child Protection Reporting Framework
  • Updated information about internal processes to be undertaken when engaging external contractors for child-related work or activities.
  • More specific information about the requirement for Council staff to include the voices of children and young people in the recruitment process for child-related work.
  • Increased accountability and guidance around one-to-one interactions with children and young people.


Where can I read the draft Interactions with Children and Young People Policy?

You can read the full draft Interactions with Children and Young People Policy here:

Draft Interactions with Children and Young People Policy


How our community can be involved

The draft Interactions with Children and Young People Policy was on public exhibition from Thursday 20 November 2025 to Monday 19 January 2026. During this time, the draft Policy was available for a set number of days for everyone to view and provide feedback.

Feedback has closed, but if you would like to enquire about this project, please quote 'SF25/7406 Your Say Public Submission - Interactions with Children and Young People Policy' at the beginning of your message and return:

  • In person to Georges River Council Civic Centre or Libraries
  • Via email: mail@georgesriver.nsw.gov.au
  • Via post: PO Box 205, Hurstville BC NSW 1481


What happens next

Your feedback will be reviewed and will inform the final version of the Interactions with Children and Young People Policy. When the Interactions with Children and Young People Policy is endorsed by Council, it will be published on our website.


Do you need assistance reading and accessing this page?

For a free interpreter call us via the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 131 450

If you have a hearing or speech impairment, please contact the National Relay Service:

  • Voice Relay number: 1300 555 727
  • TTY number: 133 677


Page last updated: 28 Apr 2026, 08:07 AM