About the Child Safe Standards?

The Victorian Government has announced new Child Safe Standards to further strengthen child safety across organisations, including schools. The new standards recognise the critical importance of families and the broader school community in maintaining and promoting child safety and wellbeing.

Goornong Primary School has reviewed and updated our child safety policies and procedures to ensure they meet the requirements of the new standards.

We are committed to continuous improvement in our approach to child safety and wellbeing and welcome feedback from families and members of our school community on ways we can further strengthen our child safety policies, procedures and practices.

The Betrayal of Trust report released by the Victorian Government identified that more can be done in the community to reduce and remove the risk of child abuse. As such, Ministerial Order 870 outlines a set of requirements (Child Safe Standards) that Victorian schools need to meet.

The Child Safe Standards are a set of principles that require organisations working with children to implement strategies to prevent child abuse. Note that child abuse includes Physical child abuse, Child sexual abuse, Grooming, Emotional child abuse, Neglect, and Family violence.

There are now 11 Child Safe Standards:

  1. Culturally safe environments.
  2. Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in leadership, governance and culture.
  3. Child and student empowerment.
  4. Family engagement.
  5. Diversity and equity.
  6. Suitable staff and volunteers.
  7. Complaints processes.
  8. Child safety knowledge, skills and awareness.
  9. Child safety in physical and online environments.
  10. Review of child safety practices.
  11. Implementation of child safety practices.

Our Commitment to Child Safety

Goornong Primary School is committed to safety and wellbeing of all children and young people. This will be the primary focus of our care and decision-making.

Goornong Primary School has zero tolerance for child abuse.

We are committed to providing a child safe environment where children and young people are safe and feel safe, and their voices are heard about decisions that affect their lives. Particular attention will be paid to the cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, as well as the safety of children with a disability and children who are vulnerable.

Every person involved in Goornong Primary School has a responsibility to understand the important and specific role they play individually and collectively to ensure that the wellbeing and safety of all children and young people is at the forefront of all they do and every decision they make.

The policies and documents below outline Goornong Primary School’s approaches to remove and/or reduce the risks of child abuse; and our commitment to providing a child-safe environment.

Child_Safety_Policy

Child_Safety_Code_of_Conduct

Volunteers_Policy

Child_Safety_Responding_&_Reporting_Policy

As valuable partners in promoting and maintaining child safety and wellbeing at Goornong Primary School, we welcome and encourage feedback from members of our school community.  If you have any suggestions, comments or questions in relation to our policies, please contact the school principal.