Child Safe Standards
Ministerial Order No. 870 sets out the specific actions that schools need to take to meet the child safe standards. The introduction of child safe standards form part of the Victorian Government’s response to the recommendations of the Betrayal of Trust report, which found that more must be done to prevent and respond to child abuse in schools.
The standards will promote cultures where protecting children from abuse is part of everyday thinking and practice in organisations.
The Child Safe Standards set out to create safe places for children to fully and actively participate in the life of the community benefiting everyone. Point Cook College will ensure that the children in its care are protected to the best of its ability and in line with their duty of care and the compulsory child safe standards.
The Standards
To create and maintain a child safe school, we will comply with the following standards.
Standard 1: Culturally safe environments
Establish a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children and young people are respected and valued.
Standard 2: Leadership, governance and culture
Ensure that child safety and wellbeing are embedded in school leadership, governance and culture.
Standard 3: Child and student empowerment
Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.
Standard 4: Family engagement
Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.
Standard 5: Diversity and equity
Equity is upheld and diverse needs are respected in policy and practice
Standard 6: Suitable staff and volunteers
People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice
Standard 7: Child-focused complaints processes
Ensure that processes for complaints and concerns are child focused.
Standard 8: Child safety knowledge, skills and awareness
Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training.
Standard 9: Physical and online environments
Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed.
Standard 10: Review of child safety practices
Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved.
Standard 11: Implementation of child safety practices
Policies and procedures that document how schools are safe for children, young people and students.
In complying with the child safe standards above, we will be mindful of the diversity of students and school communities and include the following inclusion principles as part of each standard:
promoting the cultural safety of Aboriginal children
promoting the cultural safety of children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds
promoting the safety of children with a disability
