Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Safety
Everyone has the right to feel welcomed, respected, secure, and valued.
Safeguarding Vulnerable People
Skylight’s fundamental belief is that all people, regardless of their age, gender, race, religious beliefs, disability, sexual orientation, or family or social background have equal rights to:
- Safe, sensitive, and inclusive services; and
- Protection from abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
We are committed to promoting and protecting the welfare and human rights of people that interact with, or are affected by, our work – particularly those that may be at risk of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. We have zero tolerance for all forms of physical and mental abuse, exploitation, coercion, or ill-treatment.
Skylight operates within a recovery-oriented framework, providing person-centre services that are non-judgemental, empathetic, and strengths-based. We value the diverse experiences, perspectives and knowledge of our participants, carers, staff, volunteers, and contractors. We are committed to providing an open, inclusive, and equal environment for all.
Skylight is committed to protecting the wellbeing and safety of all and has comprehensive policies and procedures in place that support our board members, staff, volunteers, and contractors to achieve these commitments.
If at any time you or someone you know feels unsafe in your interactions at Skylight please reach out and contact us.
Child Safety
Skylight is committed to child safety.
We want children to be safe, happy, and empowered.
We support and respect all children.
We are committed to the safety, participation, and empowerment of all children.
We have zero tolerance of child abuse, and all allegations and safety concerns will be treated very seriously and consistently with our robust policies and procedures.
We have legal and moral obligations to contact authorities when we are worried about a child’s safety, which we follow rigorously.
Skylight is committed to preventing child abuse and identifying risks early and removing and reducing these risks.
We are further committed to the cultural safety of First Nations children, the cultural safety of children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, and to providing a safe a friendly environment for children with a disability.
Skylight has specific policies and procedures in place that support our board members, staff, volunteers, and contractors to achieve these commitments.
Lived Experience
With every voice comes unique insight and knowledge. At Skylight we actively listen to the voices of all people we interact with to enlighten and enrich our services, our workplace and our individual and collective individual wellbeing.
Skylight acknowledges and values the lived experience participants, carers/family members and our staff bring to the achievement of quality, safe and responsive services for people with mental health concerns, both at the individual participant level as well as at the systems level.
Skylight understands lived experience as:
personal experience(s) of mental health concerns that have caused life as we knew it to change so significantly we have to reimagine and redefine ourselves, our place in the world and our future plans.
And/or
personal experience(s) of caring for someone experiencing mental health concerns that have caused life as we knew it to change so significantly we have to reimagine and redefine ourselves, our place in the world and our future plans.
Skylight is committed to delivering services and supports with and alongside participants, integrating the participant’s voice, those of carers/family members (with consent from participants), the lived experience of staff and evidence-based research and practice.
Reconciliation and First Nations Cultural Safety
Skylight acknowledges and respects that First Nations Peoples are traditional custodians of the lands and waters across Australia. Skylight further recognises the unique cultural and spiritual heritage and customs for First Nations Peoples enriches the lives of all Australians.
Skylight is committed to:
- The rights of First Nations Peoples to self-determination
- Reconciliation and the strengthening of relationships between First Nations Peoples and non-Indigenous peoples through co-leadership, mutual respect, and cultural connection
- Embedding within Skylight a culturally safe and respectful environment for all First Nations participants, staff, students, volunteers, and contractors
- Recognising, and with permission and respect, drawing on the wisdom and knowledge of First Nations Peoples to build our capacity to deliver culturally; safe, sensitive, and responsive services
Skylight formalises its commitment to reconciliation through the establishment of Reconciliation Action Plans (RAP) endorsed by Reconciliation Australia.
Skylight has specific policies and procedures in place that support our board members, staff, and volunteers to achieve our commitment to Reconciliation and cultural safety for First Nations Peoples.
Inclusion Safety
Skylight recognises and embraces diversity. We welcome people from all cultures, backgrounds, and faiths, and celebrates all genders, identities, and abilities.
We recognise the right for everyone to be accepted for who they are, and to interact without fear of rejection, humiliation, disrespect, exploitation, or abuse.
Skylight is committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all, with a particular focus on protecting and enabling vulnerable people, including:
- First Nations Peoples
- People from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds
- People with mental and physical disabilities, including comorbidities
- People in the LGBTQIA+ community
- People experiencing socio-economic disadvantage
Skylight has policies and procedures in place to support a workplace and organisation that is accessible, culturally appropriate, and respectful of diverse needs and identities.
General Crisis helplines and support
For life-threatening or urgent situations contact triple zero (000) and ask for the police.
If at any time you or someone else you know is experiencing, or at risk of abuse, neglect or exploitation within Skylight or the broader community you may also contact: