Duty of care

This is the legal and moral duty of an individual or organisation to ensure they take all reasonable steps to promote the safety and well-being of a child, young person or adult involved in any activity or interaction that the individual or organisation is responsible for.

This includes the need to ensure that anyone who works with or on behalf of children, young people, and adults in the organisation are competent, confident and safe to do so.

Any person in charge of, or working with, children and young people in any capacity is considered to owe them a duty of care. Organisations also have a duty of care towards workers, volunteers and community members.