A message to children and young people
Our commitment to child safety
Bass Coast Health is committed to child safety and is a Child Safe Environment. BCH has a zero tolerance for child abuse and is committed to acting in the best interest of children in our care. BCH is committed to provide a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children and young people are respected and valued.
Support services
Stuff for children
- Kids Help Line: 1800 55 1800 or visit the Kids Help Line website
- Safe touch/unsafe touch
- Secrets
- Recognize the Signs
- Respect
Stuff for young adults
Support services
- Kids Help Line 1800 55 1800
- Lifeline 13 11 14
- Headspace Find a centre: headspace.org.au/headspace-centres
- eheadspace provides free online support and counselling to young people 12 - 25 and their families and friends. If you’re based in Australia and going through a tough time, eheadspace can help
- Sexual Assault Crisis Line (SACL) (24 hours) 1800 806 292
- 1800 Respect (24 hours) national telephone line for victims of sexual assault & family
- Victims of Crime Help Line (7 days, 8am-11pm) 1800 819 817
- e-Safety Commissioner
- Child Protection Service DHHS (24 hours) 131 278
- Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre (24 hours) for women and children: 24 hour support 1800 015 188 or 9322 3555
How to raise concerns or provide feedback
If you have any concerns about child safety while accessing our services, please contact the unit or department manager, or provide feedback through the Bass Coast Health website to the Quality Department. We also welcome feedback from children who have accessed our services.
Children and Young People’s Rights in Healthcare Services Charter
Bass Coast Health respects that every child has the right to access health services without any discrimination. As a subscriber to the Children and Young People’s Rights in Healthcare Services Charter, we endeavour to ensure that every child and young person has the right:
- to consideration of their best interests as the primary concern of all involved in his or her care
- to express their views, and to be heard and taken seriously
- to the highest attainable standard of healthcare
- to respect for themselves as a whole person, as well as respect for their family and the family’s individual characteristics, beliefs, culture and contexts
- to be nurtured by their parents and family, and to have family relationships supported by the service in which the child or young person is receiving healthcare
- to information, in a form that is understandable to them
- to participate in decision-making and, as appropriate to their capabilities, to make decisions about their care
- to be kept safe from all forms of harm
- to have their privacy respected
- to participate in education, play, creative activities and recreation, even if this is difficult due to their illness or disability
- to continuity of healthcare, including well-planned care that takes them beyond and paediatric context.
Compliance
BCH are compliant with the Victorian Child Safe Standards, the Reportable Conduct Scheme and The Children, Youth and Families Act 2005