At Veteran Mentors, the safety, welfare and well-being of every young person in our care is our highest priority.
We are committed to providing a safe, structured, and supportive environment where young people can grow, develop, and be challenged in ways that are both physically and emotionally safe.
We have zero tolerance for child abuse, harm, neglect, grooming or exploitation in any form.
All children and young people who engage with our programs have the right to feel safe, be heard, and be respected.
How We Keep Children Safe
We actively work to create a child-safe environment through the following:
✔ Strong Leadership and Culture
Child safety is embedded in our leadership, decision-making and daily operations. All staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of conduct.
✔ Staff Screening and Training
All staff and mentors:
- Hold valid Working With Children Checks (WWCC) / Blue Cards (QLD)
- Are screened for suitability
- Complete child safety and safeguarding training, including ongoing development where required
- Are required to understand and follow our Code of Conduct
✔ Clear Code of Conduct
Our team operates under a strict Code of Conduct that:
- Sets professional boundaries with participants
- Prohibits inappropriate relationships or behaviour
- Requires immediate reporting of concerns or misconduct
✔ Supervision and Safety Controls
We maintain:
- Strict staff-to-participant ratios
- No unsupervised one-on-one situations wherever possible
- 24-hour supervision during overnight programs
- Access to a qualified counsellor to support participant wellbeing
- Access to a qualified medic/nurse to support health and safety during programs
- Structured routines and controlled environments
✔ Risk Management
All activities, including camps and adventure-based training, are risk assessed and managed to minimise the potential for harm.
✔ Mandatory Reporting
All staff are required to immediately report any concerns about a child’s safety, welfare or wellbeing in line with state legislation.
Children Safeguarding Responsibility
We have designated Child Safeguarding Officers within our organisation who are responsible for promoting child safety, responding to concerns, and supporting staff and participants.
These roles ensure there are clear points of contact for any safety or wellbeing matters during our programs.
Supporting Children & Families
We believe children are safest when they feel heard and supported. We:
- Encourage young people to speak up if something doesn’t feel right
- Provide access to trusted adults within the program
- Maintain open communication with parents and guardians
- Act on concerns quickly and appropriately
Complaints and Concerns
We take all concerns seriously.
If a child, parent or community member has a concern about safety, behaviour or conduct, we encourage you to contact us.
All complaints are:
- Handled respectfully and confidentially
- Taken seriously and assessed promptly
- Escalated where required
Email: hello@veteranmentors.com.au
Phone: 0418 869 061
If a matter involves immediate risk, please contact emergency services (000).
Our Responsibility
All Veteran Mentors staff, contractors and volunteers share responsibility for keeping children safe.
We are committed to continuous improvement and regularly review our policies, procedures and practices to ensure we meet and exceed child safety standards.
Alignment with Child Safety Standards
Veteran Mentors operates in alignment with the NSW Child Safe Standards, the Specialised Substitute Residential Care (SSRC) Code of Practice, and relevant Queensland child safety and Working With Children (Blue Card) requirements.