Kokoda Youth Foundation
COMMUNITY HUB
As a child-safe organisation, the Kokoda Youth Foundation is committed to ensuring every child and young person feels safe, supported and empowered. In the Community Hub, you’ll find information for parents and participants about our commitment to child safety, important policies, ways to share your concerns with us, and helpful links to mental wellbeing services.
Our Commitment to Child Safety and Wellbeing
The Kokoda Youth Foundation (KYF) is fully committed to the safety, wellbeing, and cultural safety of all children and young people who engage with our organisation. We uphold a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of harm, abuse, neglect, bullying, racism, discrimination, and exploitation. Children and young people have the right to:
- Be safe, valued, respected and included
- Have their cultural identity recognised and supported
- Have a voice in decisions that affect them
- Participate and thrive in environments that promote their wellbeing
- Be protected from all forms of physical, emotional, sexual, cultural, and online harm.
At KYF, child safety is everyone’s responsibility. Every person engaged by the organisation must demonstrate child-safe behaviours, uphold professional boundaries, and act in the best interests of children and young people at all times. Guided by the Spirit of Kokoda and the values of Courage, Endurance, Mateship and Sacrifice, KYF commits to:
- Embedding child safety and cultural safety in every part of our organisation
- Creating environments where children feel comfortable, heard, and supported
- Ensuring cultural safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families, and communities, consistent with the Universal Principle and the eight cultural safety indicators
- Actively preventing risks and identifying signs of harm early
- Responding to all disclosures, concerns, and incidents promptly, lawfully, and compassionately
- Continuous improvement through review, feedback, training, and transparent governance
- Supporting our people through training, guidance, supervision, and clear expectations.
This Statement of Commitment applies to all KYF programs, services, events, activities, and environments, including online, in-person, off-site, overnight, remote and high-risk settings.
Cultural Safety
KYF acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live and work, and extend our respects to Elders past, present, and emerging. We recognise the deep connection of  First Nations peoples to this land, and honour their proud history of service and contribution to our shared nation. We are committed to ensuring cultural safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families by:
- Valuing cultural identity and expression.
- Consulting with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders on program design.
- Addressing racism through our Zero Tolerance Racism Policy and Racism Complaint Procedure.
Raising a Concern or Making a Complaint
We encourage children, parents, staff, and community members to speak up. You can raise a concern about safety, wellbeing, or behaviour in the following ways:
- Online: Complete our confidential forms found in the resources section above
- Email:Â complaints@kokodayouthfoundation.com
- Phone: 07 5539 4141
- In person: Speak to any KYF staff or volunteer, who will help you connect with the right person.
All complaints are handled with respect, fairness, and confidentiality. No one will be disadvantaged for raising a concern. If you prefer to speak to someone outside KYF, you can contact:
- Contact Child Safety Services: 1800 177 135
- Call 000 for an emergency
- Visit the Queensland Government Child Protection website
HAVE YOUR SAY | SUBMIT COMPLAINTS | FIND HELPFUL SERVICES
Speak Up Form
Child Safety Concern, Disclosure and Suspicion of Harm Form
Kids Helpline
Beyond Blue
Lifeline
Headspace
Our Child Safety Framework
KYF’s approach to child safety is built around clear policies, training, and accountability. These documents guide how we prevent harm, respond to risks, and continuously improve our practices:
Outlines KYF’s child safety principles, mandatory reporting duties, empowerment of children, and cultural safety commitments.
Ensures safe digital communication and online interactions; prohibits private messaging with children and outlines cyber-safety education.
Declares KYF’s zero-tolerance stance on racism and discrimination and explains how incidents are handled.
Describes how children, families, and stakeholders can raise concerns safely and fairly.
Explains the culturally safe process for lodging and investigating racism complaints.
Details how KYF protects children’s personal information and complies with the Privacy Act 1988.
Sets supervision ratios and staff responsibilities to ensure participant safety during activities.
Provides safety rules for all vehicle use involving children and young people.
Donate today or apply to volunteer and join us in making a difference through the Spirit of Kokoda
About
Our People
The Kokoda Youth Foundation is a locally operated charity that has proudly supported Australian young people and their local communities for 20 years. Our experiential youth programs help young people increase their physical and mental resilience, confidence, and instil the Kokoda values of Courage, Endurance, Mateship and Sacrifice through the story of the Kokoda Campaign in 1942. These programs are offered free of charge, thanks to the generosity of our supporters.
