Talk It Up Speech Pathology – Commitment to Child Safety
At Talk It Up Speech Pathology, we are dedicated to creating and upholding a child safe environment. We have zero tolerance for child abuse and are committed to acting in the best interests of every child entrusted to our care.
Child abuse involves any action, or failure to act, that causes harm or places a child at risk of harm. This includes physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, as well as neglect.
We recognise that:
At Talk It Up Speech Pathology, we are committed to providing a safe, supportive, and respectful environment for all children and young people. The safety, wellbeing, and best interests of children are always our priority, and we believe every child has the right to feel safe, valued, and respected at all times.
We recognise that children who access speech pathology services may be especially vulnerable, and we take seriously our responsibility to protect them from all forms of harm, including abuse, neglect, bullying, and exploitation. All staff, students, and volunteers are expected to uphold a strong culture of child safety and to act at all times with professionalism, integrity, and care.
We are committed to creating an environment where children’s voices are heard and respected, and where families are welcomed as partners in their child’s care. We encourage open communication and provide opportunities for children and families to express concerns, ask questions, or seek support without fear of judgement or reprisal. Parents, carers, or guardians are required to be present in the room during all speech pathology sessions, where possible, to ensure transparency, provide support to their child, and contribute to the therapeutic process.
All team members working within our practice are required to:
Any concerns raised will be addressed promptly, sensitively, and in accordance with legal and professional obligations.
We are also committed to ensuring our physical and online environments are safe for children. Sessions are conducted in settings that promote transparency and visibility, and staff are mindful of professional boundaries at all times. Digital communication with children is only undertaken through secure and appropriate channels, with parental consent and oversight.
This policy applies to all speech pathology services delivered by our practice — whether provided in clinic, at schools, in the community, or online. We continually review and strengthen our practices to ensure they meet the highest standards of child safety and reflect current legislation and professional guidelines.
Our goal is to provide a service where children feel safe, respected, and empowered, where families feel confident in the care their children receive, and where the rights of children are always protected.
At Talk It Up Speech Pathology – We Will:
Information outlined in this document is informed by:
https://www.childsafety.gov.au/
At Talk It Up Speech Pathology, we are dedicated to creating and upholding a child safe environment. We have zero tolerance for child abuse and are committed to acting in the best interests of every child entrusted to our care.
Child abuse involves any action, or failure to act, that causes harm or places a child at risk of harm. This includes physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, as well as neglect.
We recognise that:
- Every child has the right to a safe and happy childhood, free from abuse and neglect, so they can thrive, learn, and develop.
- Children are more vulnerable to harm due to their age, stage of development, and limited awareness of manipulative behaviours.
- Abuse often occurs in secrecy; therefore, organisations must foster a culture of openness, transparency, and communication to protect children.
- Safeguarding children is a shared responsibility across the whole community.
- We have a duty to ensure cultural safety for Aboriginal children, children from culturally diverse backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ communities, and children with disabilities.
- We must provide an environment where children are heard, respected, and their concerns are taken seriously.
At Talk It Up Speech Pathology, we are committed to providing a safe, supportive, and respectful environment for all children and young people. The safety, wellbeing, and best interests of children are always our priority, and we believe every child has the right to feel safe, valued, and respected at all times.
We recognise that children who access speech pathology services may be especially vulnerable, and we take seriously our responsibility to protect them from all forms of harm, including abuse, neglect, bullying, and exploitation. All staff, students, and volunteers are expected to uphold a strong culture of child safety and to act at all times with professionalism, integrity, and care.
We are committed to creating an environment where children’s voices are heard and respected, and where families are welcomed as partners in their child’s care. We encourage open communication and provide opportunities for children and families to express concerns, ask questions, or seek support without fear of judgement or reprisal. Parents, carers, or guardians are required to be present in the room during all speech pathology sessions, where possible, to ensure transparency, provide support to their child, and contribute to the therapeutic process.
All team members working within our practice are required to:
- Hold valid Working with Children Checks
- Comply with mandatory reporting laws
- Complete regular training in child safety and safeguarding
- Follow clear procedures for identifying, responding to, and reporting concerns about a child’s safety or wellbeing
Any concerns raised will be addressed promptly, sensitively, and in accordance with legal and professional obligations.
We are also committed to ensuring our physical and online environments are safe for children. Sessions are conducted in settings that promote transparency and visibility, and staff are mindful of professional boundaries at all times. Digital communication with children is only undertaken through secure and appropriate channels, with parental consent and oversight.
This policy applies to all speech pathology services delivered by our practice — whether provided in clinic, at schools, in the community, or online. We continually review and strengthen our practices to ensure they meet the highest standards of child safety and reflect current legislation and professional guidelines.
Our goal is to provide a service where children feel safe, respected, and empowered, where families feel confident in the care their children receive, and where the rights of children are always protected.
At Talk It Up Speech Pathology – We Will:
- Encourage children to express their views and actively listen to what matters to them.
- Acknowledge that children can communicate in many different ways. Communication isn't just speech—it is any method used to express needs, thoughts, feelings, experiences, and ideas.
- Support all forms of communication, including gesture, sign, AAC (pictures/symbols/written words), writing/typing, facial expressions, play, and speech.
- Assess and manage risks to child safety across all of our services.
- Take all necessary steps to identify, respond promptly, investigate, and address disclosures or allegations of harm and abuse.
Information outlined in this document is informed by:
https://www.childsafety.gov.au/
Acknowledgement of Country
We respectfully acknowledge the Dja Dja Wurrung people, the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we meet, work, and learn in Bendigo. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present, and emerging, and extend that respect to all First Nations Peoples.
We recognise that Country is not just a place, but a living cultural and storytelling landscape—nurtured over millennia through spoken word, song, and story. As a speech pathology practice committed to supporting communication and storytelling for all, we are mindful and grateful to honour the oldest storytellers of this land, and to continue learning from their enduring connection to place, language, and expression.
We respectfully acknowledge the Dja Dja Wurrung people, the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we meet, work, and learn in Bendigo. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present, and emerging, and extend that respect to all First Nations Peoples.
We recognise that Country is not just a place, but a living cultural and storytelling landscape—nurtured over millennia through spoken word, song, and story. As a speech pathology practice committed to supporting communication and storytelling for all, we are mindful and grateful to honour the oldest storytellers of this land, and to continue learning from their enduring connection to place, language, and expression.