At Cafs, our policies and plans are developed, informed and refined in alignment with our vision and our values. Our mission is to deliver quality services with positive outcomes for the communities we serve. We strive to do this with respect, collaboration, integrity and innovation and deliver on our vision of wellbeing, respect and safety for all children and families.
Cafs Policies
Child Safety Policy
Cafs is committed to promoting and protecting the safety of children. Cafs has zero tolerance for child abuse or maltreatment of children. We strive to ensure children and young people can actively participate in decisions that affect their lives.
Client Participation Policy
This policy expresses the value we place on how our clients think about us. We want our clients to be empowered by their experience. We encourage our clients to become involved in decision making that affects them.
Conflict of Interest Policy
A conflict of interest may impact how a person acts, makes decisions or decides to vote. This policy is to ensure staff, volunteers and board members understand their obligation to disclose and manage a conflict of interest.
Inclusion and Diversity Policy
Cafs actively fosters diversity and inclusion across all levels of our organisation. We are White Ribbon and Rainbow Tick accredited. We recognise that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are the First Nations Peoples of Australia, and we are committed to reconciliation.
Feedback and Complaints Policy
Our Complaints and Feedback Policy underscores our commitment to encouraging feedback from our clients and community. At Cafs, we view all feedback as an opportunity to improve our service for those we support. Cafs clients can leave feedback via this online form.
Privacy Policy
Cafs is committed to providing quality services to you and this policy outlines our ongoing obligations to you in respect of how we manage your Personal Information.
Quality and Compliance Policy
Cafs is committed to producing quality outcomes for the people and communities we serve. We maintain a robust quality management system and strive to continually improve our systems and processes.
Plans
Our Strategic Plan
Our 2022-2025 Strategic plan outlines our strategic priorities and our strategic enablers. Our service is underpinned by our mission statement to deliver quality services with positive outcomes and experiences for the communities we serve.
Our Reconciliation Action Plan
Cafs’ vision for reconciliation is to walk together with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We jointly acknowledge the past, work to change the present and grow towards an Australia where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures are valued and our country is one of equity, opportunity, dignity and respect.
Our Access-Ability Plan
Cafs is proud to have developed this Access-Ability Action Plan as part of the organisations committment to Inclusion and Diversity. We believe in providing quality service provision, a culturally safe workplace, and assisting people in overcoming barriers that might hinder them living a full and dignified life.
Our CALD Action Plan
This plan is Cafs second CALD Action Plan, and provides a range of actions and deliverables that will ensure that our services, programs and facilities are inclusive of all people, whilst providing the best possible support to all Cafs people and community members, regardless of their background. Our Plan will help us meet the needs of the CALD community members who use, visit, work within our organisation.
Our LGBTIQA+ Action Plan
Cafs is committed to providing a safe, mentally healthy and inclusive workspace for everyone, where diversity is not only welcomed, but celebrated. Our values of respect, integrity and diversity are embedded in policy, procedures, practice frameworks and action plans developed with clients and communities.
This is Cafs second iteration of oru LGBTIQA+ Action Plan, with the first version being called simply an LGBTI Action Plan.
Our Gender Equity Action Plan
The primary purpose of the Plan is to outline the strategies and actions that Cafs will undertake over the next 3 years to eliminate discrimination and improve access, equity, inclusion and participation for people who identify as female within the organisation, our services users, volunteers and the broader community.
CAFS stories
Cafs Thread Together is leading the change in the local community
The new Cafs Thread Together clothing hub in Ballarat is a life changing moment for those who walk through its doors. However, it isn’t just the “shoppers” who are discovering its power but also the volunteers.
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How Step Up helped a young boy overcome violent behaviour toward his mum
Dylan was the last child anyone expected to be violent or aggressive. He’s the quiet one in the family. When Dylan was nine, he started lashing out at home.
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How June and Robert found the right time to become Cafs foster carers
Becoming foster carers can be a life affirming experience. June and Robert always knew that fostering would be in their future; it was just a question of timing.
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How Cafs financial counselling helped
a dad battling with cancer
When you’re a self-employed dad, being sick comes with more concerns than your own health. With no money coming in, Tony was stressed about his family.
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Housing Support: How Cafs ATAR team helped a father avoid eviction
Bruce was admitted to hospital for three months, and while he was in there, he asked his adult sons to take care of the home he'd been renting for the past eleven years.
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How Cafs helped Chloe and her family find hope
Chloe was 16, and her young life was falling apart. She’d dropped out of school and had started drinking and taking drugs. She also started stealing and self-harming.
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How Cafs day stay helped one young family establish a healthy bedtime routine
For Bianca and Josh, the excitement of becoming new parents was giving way to exhaustion. They were desperate for more sleep.
Read moreCafs acknowledges our past. In the spirit of reconciliation, we give deepest respect to Australia's First Nations Peoples. Their histories, their stories, their resilience. Their connection to culture and land. The wisdom of their Elders past, present and emerging.
