Child Safe Standards - Protecting Young People

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Diggers Rest Primary School has zero tolerance for child abuse. Everyone working at Diggers Rest Primary School is responsible for the care and protection of the children and young people within our care and reporting of information about suspected child abuse.

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All members of staff share in the responsibility for the prevention and detection of child abuse, and must:

• Familiarise themselves with the relevant laws, Code of Conduct and Diggers Rest Primary School’s policies and procedures concerning child protection, and comply with all requirements

• Receive the School’s Code of Conduct for staff

• Take all reasonable steps to protect children from abuse

• Report any reasonable belief that a child’s safety is at risk to the Principal or delegate

• Teachers fulfil their obligations as mandatory reporters

• Report any suspicion that a child’s safety may be at risk to their supervisor (or if their supervisor is involved in the suspicion, to the Principal or delegate)

• Promote the cultural safety, participation, and empowerment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children

• Promote the safety, participation and empowerment of children with culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds

• Promote the safety, participation, and empowerment of children with a disability, and

• Provide an environment that is supportive of all children’s emotional and physical safety.

 

What are Child Safe Standards?

These standards fall under the Ministerial Order 870 – Managing the risk of child abuse in schools and take effect as of 30 June 2022. The development of the Child Safe Standards forms part of the Victorian Government’s response to the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into the Handling of Child Abuse by Religious and other Non-Government Organisations.

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All Victorian schools are required to operate within a child-safe environment. Diggers Rest Primary School has met all the required standards for child safety and will continue to screen staff and train them to identify and report any suspected abuse. Diggers Rest Primary School will also work with students to make sure they also understand these important policies.

 

The Child Safe Standards consist of the following eleven areas:

 

​Child Safe Standard 1 – Organisations establish a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children and young people are respected and valued

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Child Safe Standard 2 – Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture

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Child Safe Standard 3 – Children and young people are empowered about their rights,
participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously

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Child Safe Standard 4 – Families and communities are informed, and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing

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Child Safe Standard 5 – Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice

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Child Safe Standard 6 – People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice

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Child Safe Standard 7 – Processes for complaints and concerns are child focused

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Child Safe Standard 8 – Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training

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Child Safe Standard 9 – Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed

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Child Safe Standard 10 – Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved

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Child Safe Standard 11 – Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people