The Responsibility to Protect: Why Organisations Serving Children Must Prioritise Safety Above All

Children are among the most vulnerable members of our communities, and protecting them requires a shared commitment and unwavering dedication from all of us. The recent case of a Victorian play centre fined $60,000 after a young child sustained a spinal fracture highlights a painful truth: when organisations that serve or profit from children fail to uphold stringent safety standards, it’s the children who bear the consequences.

The Duty of Care to Vulnerable Young People

Businesses and institutions that cater to children, whether recreational centres, schools, or community programs, have a profound responsibility to provide environments where children are not only entertained and educated but also safe from preventable harm. When parents leave their children in the care of these organisations, they do so with a reasonable expectation that robust safety measures are in place. Any lapse or negligence in safeguarding children against known risks is not just an oversight but a breach of trust.

Organisations must remember that ensuring child safety is not a “nice-to-have” but an absolute, non-negotiable obligation. Failure to meet this duty of care goes beyond legal ramifications—it strikes at the heart of a society's moral responsibility to its youngest members.

Lessons from a Serious Failing

In the case of the Victorian play centre, a child suffered a spinal fracture from a fall that could have been prevented with better oversight and risk management. This incident is a stark reminder that even seemingly minor risks, if unaddressed, can lead to severe and life-altering consequences for children. It calls attention to the necessity for organisations to constantly assess their environments for potential hazards, understanding that children are more susceptible to accidents and often unable to recognize risks themselves.

If an organisation cannot manage the risks to children, so far as is reasonably practicable, then it is imperative for that organisation to reassess its operational priorities. Ignoring these risks or adopting a “reactive” approach—only addressing problems after they have caused harm—demonstrates a lack of commitment to the welfare of children. Organisations that fail to prioritise child safety should take a hard look at their values, operations, and policies and ask themselves if they are truly capable of providing a safe environment for young people.

Practical Measures to Ensure Child Safety

To safeguard children effectively, organisations must implement and maintain comprehensive safety protocols. These include:

1. Regular Risk Assessments: Constantly evaluating potential hazards in physical spaces, equipment, and activities.

2. Staff Training and Vigilance: Ensuring that every team member, from management to frontline staff, is trained in child safety protocols and understands their responsibility to protect young participants.

3. Clear Communication with Parents: Being transparent about safety measures and proactively communicating any changes to reassure parents that safety is paramount.

4. Adhering to Legal and Regulatory Standards: Complying with relevant safety regulations and exceeding them when possible, acknowledging that children’s well-being must come before profit.

The failure of one organisation to prevent harm to a child should be a lesson to others: children’s activities must be built on a foundation of safety, reinforced through vigilant risk management, frequent reassessment, and a culture that values children’s well-being above commercial gain.

A Call to Action

The old saying, “It takes a village to raise a child,” is not merely a figure of speech but a guiding principle for society. Ensuring the safety of children requires collective responsibility and a commitment from every part of the community—including the businesses that cater to them. Organisations profiting from child-centreed activities must ask themselves if they are doing everything in their power to protect these young lives. If the answer is no, then change is not only necessary but urgent.

We must hold organisations to a high standard when it comes to child safety. Only then can we build communities where children can explore, learn, and play without unnecessary risk, allowing parents and caregivers to trust that their children are in capable and caring hands. The welfare of our children is a shared duty, and every organisation that serves them has a critical role in fulfilling this essential trust.