Our Commitment to Child Safety
Child Safety
At Spencer Health, creating safe environments for children is central to everything we do. Our Child Safety Commitment outlines the promises we make to every child and family who engages with our services.
We believe every child and young person has the right to feel safe, respected, heard and empowered to thrive.
Creating safe environments for children is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to protecting children from harm while promoting their wellbeing, participation, dignity and rights.
We recognise that every interaction matters. Every child who engages with Spencer Health deserves to experience kindness, compassion, inclusion and respect.
What Children Can Expect From Us
When you come to Spencer Health, you can expect that we will:
- listen to you
- treat you with kindness and respect
- make you feel welcome and included
- explain things in ways you can understand
- respect your privacy
- help you feel safe
- take your worries seriously
- support you to have a say in decisions about your care whenever appropriate.
If something makes you feel unsafe or uncomfortable, we want you to tell us. We will listen and do our best to help.
Our Commitment to Families and Carers
We recognise that families and carers play an essential role in supporting children's wellbeing.
We are committed to working in partnership with parents, carers and families by:
- communicating openly and respectfully
- involving families in decisions about care
- respecting each family's unique circumstances
- providing safe, inclusive and welcoming services
- responding promptly to concerns or complaints
- continually improving our services through feedback and learning.
How We Keep Children Safe
We keep children safe by:
- employing appropriately qualified and screened staff
- requiring Working with Children Checks where applicable
- providing ongoing child safety education and training
- maintaining clear professional boundaries
- responding promptly to concerns
- managing risks proactively
- creating environments that are physically, emotionally, psychologically and culturally safe.
We Welcome Diversity
Spencer Health is committed to creating environments where every child feels they belong.
We celebrate diversity and provide services that are:
- child-centred
- trauma-informed
- neuroaffirming
- culturally safe
- inclusive and accessible.
We welcome children and families of all backgrounds, cultures, identities, abilities and lived experiences.
Speaking Up
Children, young people, parents, carers and community members have the right to raise concerns if they are worried about a child's safety or wellbeing.
If you have any concerns, we encourage you to speak with a member of our team.
All concerns are taken seriously and managed respectfully, confidentially and in accordance with our Child Safety Framework.
Our Promise
At Spencer Health, child safety is not simply a policy—it is part of our culture, our leadership and our everyday practice.
Together, we create environments where every child feels safe, respected, heard and empowered to thrive.
How to Raise a Concern or Make a Complaint
At Spencer Health, we are committed to creating environments where every child feels safe, respected, heard and empowered to thrive.
If you have a concern or complaint about the safety or wellbeing of a child, the behaviour of a member of our workforce, or any aspect of our services that may impact child safety, we encourage you to let us know.
Please complete the secure online form below. Your concern will be forwarded directly to a member of our Leadership Team for review.
We take all child safety concerns seriously. All reports are handled respectfully, confidentially and in accordance with our Child Safety Framework. A member of our Leadership Team will acknowledge your concern as soon as practicable and will keep you informed about the next steps in the process.
If we believe that a child is at immediate risk of harm, we will take appropriate action in accordance with our legal and professional obligations.
If a child is in immediate danger or you believe a crime has been committed, please contact emergency services on 000 immediately.
Our Child Safety Framework
Spencer Health is committed to transparency and continuous improvement in child safety. The following documents are available for members of our community.
Child Safety Commitment Statement
Annual Child Safety Statement (2026)
Spencer Health maintains a comprehensive Child Safety Framework aligned with the Commonwealth Child Safe Framework and the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations. Additional governance documentation is available upon request.
Questions?
If you have any questions about Spencer Health's commitment to child safety, please contact us at Shannong@spencerhealth.com.au or speak with a member of our Leadership Team.
Shannon Lopez
(nee Grassby)
Principal Clinical Psychologist
(Gladesville)
(Please note: currently on maternity leave, returning mid 2027)
Our Child Safety Champion
Spencer Health has appointed our Principal Clinical Psychologist as our Child Safety Champion. The Child Safety Champion provides leadership for our Child Safety Framework, promotes a child safe culture across the organisation and supports the continuous improvement of child safe practices.
Current Child Safety Champion: Shannon Lopez, Principal Clinical Psychologist.
This page was last reviewed: July 2026
If you require this information in an alternative format or need assistance to raise a concern, please contact our team and we will be happy to assist.
