Child Safety: More Than a Policy at Forbes Care

At Forbes Care, protecting children and young people isn’t just a requirement — it’s a core part of who we are and how we work. We know that when families choose us as their occupational therapy provider, they trust us with something precious: the safety, wellbeing, and dignity of their children.

Our Child Safety Policy makes that commitment clear. It outlines how we create safe environments, the standards our team upholds, and the steps we take when we believe a child is at risk of harm.

Why Child Safety Matters in OT

As occupational therapists, we work closely with children and young people — often in their homes, schools, and community spaces. This puts us in a unique position to notice changes, spot warning signs, and act quickly when needed.

Child safety is not just about responding to harm. It’s about creating spaces where children feel respected, heard, and supported to thrive.

Our Commitment to Children and Families

Our policy guides every team member to:

• Build respectful, professional relationships with children and their families.
• Listen to children’s voices and include them in decisions that affect them.
• Respect each child’s culture, background, and beliefs in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
• Safeguard children from harm and take action when we believe they are at risk.

This means no exploitation, no unsafe behaviour, and zero tolerance for abuse or discrimination.

Recognising and Acting on Concerns

If a child or young person is suspected to be at risk of significant harm, our team follows mandatory reporting requirements. Concerns about unsafe conduct — whether from staff, volunteers, or others — are raised immediately with our leadership.

We also train our staff to use language and interactions that are age-appropriate, non-threatening, and free from shaming or belittling. Safety is not just physical — it’s emotional and psychological too.

Recruiting and Training for Safety

We don’t leave safety to chance. Every staff member and volunteer goes through rigorous worker screening and is introduced to our Child Safety Policy during induction. We keep the conversation going with ongoing training, reflective practice, and supervision.

What This Means for Families

For you, this means that when your child works with Forbes Care, you can expect:

• A professional who is trained to protect and advocate for your child’s wellbeing.
• A safe, culturally respectful, and inclusive environment.
• Clear action if any concerns arise.

Our Promise

Policies are only as strong as the people who live by them. At Forbes Care, our team sees child safety as part of our everyday practice — woven into therapy sessions, conversations, and the way we plan supports.

Because every child has the right to grow, learn, and play in safety. And every movement we make as therapists should protect and honour that right.

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