Commitments to communities we serve
Our commitment to child safety
Uniting is committed to providing a nurturing environment where all children feel safe, valued and heard.
We’ll do everything in our power to safeguard children from all forms of abuse. You can read our full commitment to child safety here.
Uniting has also adopted the Uniting Church in Australia’s National Child Safe Policy Framework, which is designed to create and maintain a child-safe culture.
Our commitment to reconciliation
We recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ special and unique connection to lands, waters and Country.
Sadly, we lost our Cultural architect and respected Noongar Elder, colleague and friend, Aunty Djidi Djidi Josey Hansen in December 2020. Josey was a much-loved member of our team and the wider community and has had a lasting impact on everyone who knew her.
In Josey’s absence, we’ve felt the need to collectively regroup and reconvene. While Josey encouraged Reconciliation to be the beating heart of our organisation and supported us to feel this from our hearts, the wisdom and cultural authority she held cannot be understated. With that in mind, we’re re-tracing some of our steps in order to recover and find our way forward.
Our Commitment to People with disability
On Friday 29 September 2023, the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability presented its Final Report to Government.
The Final Report contains 222 recommendations on how to improve laws, policies, structures and practices to ensure a more inclusive and just society that supports the independence of people with disability and their right to live free from violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation.
We welcome the final report and its vision for a more inclusive Australia.
Uniting WA contributed to the Disability Royal Commission through the UnitingCare Australia Disability Royal Commission National Task Group (DRCNTG) which developed a range of submissions available here.
Uniting WA also responded to a Notice to Produce and a Notice to Give Information, to share information with the Disability Royal Commission including processes, policies, plans and reports.
The Commission has done important, necessary work. Over four years, through 32 public hearings, 1785 private sessions, and more than 8000 submissions, the Commissioners listened to the voices of people with disability, carers, representative organisations and other important stakeholders.
The Commissioners have recommended that the Australian Government report to Parliament by 31 March 2024 its response to their recommendations. In that report, the government will indicate which recommendations they intend to implement.
Uniting will also be carefully considering the Commission’s report and recommendations in our future strategic planning and advocacy work.
We are incredibly proud of the work our team members do every day supporting people with disability and we take Uniting’s role seriously in creating a better, more inclusive future for people with disability.