As 2024 comes to a close, we want to take a moment to extend our heartfelt thanks for your continued support and collaboration throughout the year. When working in the areas of darkness, we are always amazed at the lightness we find in actions of courage, honesty, selflessness, tenacity and compassion. All part of the jigsaw in creating a safe organisation. Looking back, it has been a year of significant achievements and important milestones for Kooyoora. We’ve made progress in our initiatives and deepened our partnerships. Here are some of our key highlights from 2024.

Kooyoora is proud to present Safeguarding Matters: Live, a new educational forum featuring invited leading experts to encourage deeper engagement with critical safeguarding topics.

The inaugural session, held on 27th November 2024, featured Professor Daryl Higgins, Director of theInstitute of Child Protection Studies at the Australian Catholic University. Nationally recognised for its expertise in child protection, the Institute aims to create a significant impact on critical social issues, child-centred practice, service systems, and public policy.

As the festive season approaches, organisations are often caught up in planning end-of-year functions, finalising projects, and setting the stage for the new year. While these events offer a chance to celebrate achievements and foster connection, they also present unique challenges, particularly around safeguarding, workplace conduct, and support for individuals affected by trauma. The holiday period can be a time of heightened stress and reflection, and it’s essential for organisations to take proactive steps to create a safe, respectful, and supportive environment.

The Kooyoora Abuse Prevention through Culture Change Framework is an organisational culture change and development program designed to safeguard against harmful behaviours such as sexual abuse, harassment, and misconduct.

Its purpose is to guide organisations through a process of meaningful self reflection and continuous improvement to better cultivate a positive and safe culture that is proactive in preventing harm.

The area of professional standards and safeguarding is, without doubt, complex. It is essential that ongoing learning, collaboration, and support are prioritised when working in these areas. At Kooyoora, we’ve had the privilege of connecting with professionals in both New Zealand and England, sharing our experiences and learning from theirs. These exchanges—whether through in-person visits or by hosting delegations from New Zealand—have provided valuable insights into what’s working, what isn’t, and the broader challenges faced in each country.

Kooyoora provides expert support in managing sensitive complaints and conducting thorough investigations to ensure the safety and wellbeing of individuals within organisations. Here are some case studies that show how we work collaboratively with reporting agencies, implement risk mitigation strategies, and ensure that organisations meet their legal and ethical obligations when handling allegations of misconduct.

On 24 July 2024, the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-based Institutions released its long-awaited report. Established in 2018, the Commission investigated allegations of abuse involving children, young people, and adults in care from 1950 to 1999, hearing testimonies from over 3,000 survivors.

The final report, Whanaketia – Through Pain and Trauma, From Darkness to Light. Whakairihia ki te tihi o Maungārongo, revealed that between 113,000 and 253,000 individuals experienced abuse and neglect in these institutions. It contains 138 recommendations organised into three key themes.

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, established in 2013, was a watershed moment in Australia’s history, shining a light on the systemic failures that allowed the abuse of thousands of children spanning several decades and across various institutions, including religious organisations, schools, orphanages, and sports clubs.

Seven years after the final report was delivered in 2017, we look at some of the significant improvements that have been made, as well Kooyoora’s role and evolution in response to the findings and recommendations.

Kooyoora’s new Online Screening Application (OSCA) is a secure online portal specifically designed to make the process of pre-employment screening as easy as possible for applicants and organisations. The platform provides real-time status updates and automates inefficient processes, saving organisations and their applicant’s valuable time. OSCA integrates seamlessly with Kooyoora’s professional development platform, providing a comprehensive solution for organisations.