The Tell Someone: Child Safety Small Grants Program provides funding for Tasmanian community organisations to develop projects that prevent child sexual abuse, grooming, and harmful sexual behaviours while strengthening child-safe practices. The programme offers grants from $500 to $10,000 (GST exclusive) to support organisations at different stages of their child safety development journey.
Eligible applicants include Tasmanian community-based organisations working directly with children and young people, including incorporated not-for-profits, Aboriginal organisations, not-for-profit companies, and eligible unincorporated groups with an auspice organisation.
What is the Tell Someone: Child Safety Small Grants Program?
The Tell Someone: Child Safety Small Grants Program is a funding initiative that supports community organisations in Tasmania to create safer environments for children and young people.
The programme focuses on preventing:
- Child sexual abuse
- Grooming
- Harmful sexual behaviours
It supports projects that help organisations move beyond basic compliance by building stronger child safety cultures where:
- Children and young people are listened to
- Concerns are taken seriously
- Adults understand their responsibilities
- Communities know how to identify and respond to risks
Purpose of the Program
The programme aims to strengthen child protection and prevention efforts across Tasmanian communities.
Its objectives include:
- Improving child safety practices
- Increasing awareness of abuse prevention
- Supporting early identification of risks
- Strengthening organisational responses
- Empowering children and young people
- Helping adults recognise and respond to concerns
- Creating safer community environments
The programme encourages organisations to take proactive steps to protect children.
Key Focus Areas
Projects supported through the programme should contribute to stronger child safety systems and prevention approaches.
Priority areas include:
Preventing Child Sexual Abuse
Projects may help organisations:
- Improve prevention strategies
- Increase awareness among children and adults
- Strengthen protective environments
- Promote child-safe practices
Addressing Grooming Risks
Activities may support:
- Education about grooming behaviours
- Training for staff and volunteers
- Awareness campaigns
- Improved reporting pathways
Responding to Harmful Sexual Behaviours
Projects may focus on:
- Understanding harmful behaviours
- Prevention strategies
- Appropriate responses
- Creating safer environments for young people
Building Child-Safe Organisations
The programme encourages organisations to strengthen:
- Policies and procedures
- Staff capability
- Volunteer awareness
- Child participation approaches
- Safety culture
Funding Available
The total funding pool available is:
Funding is divided into two grant tiers.
Tier 1 Grants: Early Child Safety Development
Funding range:
Tier 1 supports organisations that are beginning to develop their child safety capability.
Projects may include:
- Developing child safety resources
- Improving awareness
- Establishing stronger practices
- Building organisational knowledge
Tier 2 Grants: Strengthening Existing Practices
Funding range:
Tier 2 supports organisations with more established child safety systems that want to strengthen and expand their practices.
Projects may include:
- Advanced training
- Community engagement activities
- Improved child safety systems
- Embedding stronger organisational approaches
Project Completion Requirements
Funded projects must be completed by:
Applicants should ensure their project timeline allows completion within the required period.
Who is Eligible to Apply?
The programme is open to Tasmanian community-based organisations that directly work with children and young people.
Eligible applicants include:
- Incorporated not-for-profit organisations
- Not-for-profit companies
- Aboriginal organisations
- Unincorporated community groups supported through an eligible incorporated organisation (auspiced organisations)
Organisational Requirements
Applicants must:
- Have a Tasmanian presence
- Work directly with children and/or young people
- Be current members of the Tell Someone Network
- Have appropriate child safety policies and procedures
- Hold public liability insurance
- Have an active Australian Business Number (ABN)
Organisations without an ABN must provide:
- Statement by Supplier Form
Who Cannot Apply?
The following organisations are not eligible:
- Schools
- Government agencies
- Individuals
- Organisations that do not work directly with children or young people
- Organisations without a Tasmanian presence
Projects outside Tasmania are also not eligible.
Eligible Project Activities
Projects should directly support child safety improvement.
Examples may include:
- Child safety training
- Awareness activities
- Prevention education
- Community workshops
- Development of child safety resources
- Improving reporting processes
- Strengthening child participation practices
- Staff and volunteer capability building
Ineligible Activities
Funding cannot be used for:
- Activities already required by law
- Mandatory compliance costs
- Projects outside Tasmania
- General operational expenses
- Unrelated organisational running costs
Applicants should ensure their project represents additional child safety improvements rather than routine obligations.
Why This Program Matters
Creating safer environments for children requires more than policies alone.
The Tell Someone Small Grants Program helps communities:
- Prevent child abuse
- Increase awareness
- Strengthen protective systems
- Support children’s voices
- Equip adults to respond effectively
- Build safer organisations
Community-based organisations play a critical role in creating environments where children feel safe, respected, and supported.
How the Tell Someone Small Grants Program Works
The programme follows a grant application and assessment process.
Step 1: Identify a Child Safety Need
Organisations identify an area where they can improve child safety practices.
Examples:
- Training gaps
- Awareness needs
- Policy improvements
- Community education needs
Step 2: Develop a Project Plan
Applicants prepare a plan explaining:
- Project activities
- Target participants
- Expected outcomes
- Timeline
- Budget
Step 3: Select the Appropriate Grant Tier
Choose:
- Tier 1 for early-stage child safety development
- Tier 2 for strengthening established practices
Step 4: Submit an Application
Applicants provide required organisational information and project details.
Step 5: Project Delivery
Successful organisations implement approved activities and complete projects by the required deadline.
How to Apply
Eligible organisations should follow these steps:
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
Check that your organisation:
- Operates in Tasmania
- Works directly with children or young people
- Is a Tell Someone Network member
- Meets governance requirements
Step 2: Choose Your Project Focus
Identify whether your project addresses:
- Prevention of child sexual abuse
- Grooming prevention
- Harmful sexual behaviour prevention
- Child safety improvements
Step 3: Prepare Supporting Documents
Applicants should prepare:
- Organisation details
- Child safety policies
- Insurance information
- ABN or Statement by Supplier Form
- Project budget
- Project timeline
Step 4: Submit the Application
Complete and submit the application according to programme requirements.
Tips for a Strong Application
Applicants can improve their proposals by:
Clearly Explaining the Child Safety Issue
Describe:
- The current challenge
- Why action is needed
- Who will benefit
Showing Direct Community Impact
Explain how the project will improve safety for children and young people.
Demonstrating Organisational Commitment
Highlight:
- Existing child safety practices
- Staff capability
- Leadership support
Creating a Practical Budget
Ensure funding requests are directly connected to project activities.
Including Child and Young Person Perspectives
Projects are stronger when they demonstrate how children’s voices and experiences are considered.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid:
- Applying without Tell Someone Network membership
- Requesting funding for normal operating expenses
- Proposing activities unrelated to child safety
- Applying without required policies or insurance
- Submitting projects outside Tasmania
- Requesting funding for legally required activities
- Providing unclear project outcomes
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Tell Someone: Child Safety Small Grants Program?
It is a Tasmanian grant programme supporting community organisations to develop projects that prevent child sexual abuse, grooming, and harmful sexual behaviours.
How much funding is available?
Organisations can receive between $500 and $10,000, depending on the grant tier and project needs.
Who can apply?
Tasmanian community-based organisations working directly with children and young people can apply, including eligible not-for-profits, Aboriginal organisations, and auspiced community groups.
What are the two funding tiers?
Tier 1 provides $500–$2,000 for organisations developing child safety capability. Tier 2 provides $2,001–$10,000 for organisations strengthening existing child safety practices.
Can schools apply?
No. Schools, government agencies, and individuals are not eligible for funding.
Can funding support general organisational costs?
No. Funding must support specific child safety projects and cannot be used for unrelated operational expenses.
When must funded projects be completed?
All funded activities must be completed by 31 December 2027.
Conclusion
The Tell Someone: Child Safety Small Grants Program provides valuable support for Tasmanian community organisations working to protect children and young people. By funding prevention, education, and organisational improvement projects, the programme helps build stronger child-safe communities where children are heard, supported, and protected from harm.
