With National Child Protection Week just gone, Shooting Stars has recommitted to the important work they do with children and young adults, unveiling plans to develop an official child safe framework.
This years’ theme for National Child Protection Week is “Every child, in every community, needs a fair go”. This theme calls to the idea that children and young people thrive when they grow up safe, connected and supported in their family, community and culture. These last two points – community and culture – are of particular importance to us here at Shooting Stars.
The Glass Jar Australia board have endorsed an official Child Safe Framework which will allow Shooting Stars to continue to empower and support Aboriginal girls and women working within our program. The framework will provide a scope for the program to uphold the human and cultural rights specific to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and communities.
Glenda Kickett, Chairperson of the Glass Jar Australia Board, was pleased to support the Child Protection Framework put forward.
“Glass Jar Australia has been working with children since the inception of the Shooting Stars program in 2015. We have always been committed to providing a safe and protected environment for Aboriginal girls and women, so the implementation of a formal child safe framework will ensure that every area of the program, from practice to delivery, is considered. The Glass Jar Australia board are thrilled to endorse the implementation of the Child Safe Framework to safeguard our participants mental health and wellbeing.”
At heart of everything Shooting Stars does, and why this framework is so important, is cultural safety. Glenda notes that “cultural safety for our girls is paramount because we want them to feel accepted, valued and to have a sense of connection and belonging.” This sense of belonging is “what gives them the strength and confidence to want to be at school and to further their education.”
The use of culturally safe tools such as yarning circles within the program provide a safe and nurturing environment for the participants to explore their culture and sense of self.
Shooting Stars Executive Officer, Fran Haintz, recognises the importance of formalising these practices.
“Shooting Stars has always worked within a framework that places cultural safety first. We are excited to formalise our practices and share them with the wider public for both transparency and to encourage other organisations to review and solidify their own child safe practices.”
The Child Safe Framework, now endorsed by the Glass Jar Australia board, is due for completion by the end of 2022. The framework will underpin the Shooting Stars Practice Framework, which informs all elements of the practice and delivery of our program on site.
