In 2017 Victoria introduced compulsory minimum standards that will apply to organisations that provide services for children to help protect children from all forms of abuse. The child safe standards form part of the Victorian Government’s response to the Betrayal of Trust Inquiry.
The regulator, the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA), is charged with enforcing and monitoring these minimum requirements:
- strategies to embed an organisational culture of child safety, including through effective leadership arrangements
- a child safe policy or statement of commitment to child safety
- a code of conduct that establishes clear expectations for appropriate behaviour with children
- screening, supervision, training and other human resources practices that reduce the risk of child abuse by new and existing personnel
- processes for responding to and reporting suspected child abuse
- strategies to identify and reduce or remove risks of child abuse
- strategies to promote the participation and empowerment of children.
Schools must also follow inclusion principles as part of each standard, promoting the cultural safety of Aboriginal children, children from different cultural backgrounds, and children with a disability. Policies related to how TPS supports the Child Safe Standards is available on the school website. Policies and procedures are reviewed and ratified by School Council on an annual basis.
Some ways in which we are promoting the Child Safe Standards is by implanting the Daniel Morecombe Foundation/ PROTECT materials to promote the participation and empowerment of children. We are encouraging children to “Recognise, React and Report” when they feel unsafe and to identify adults who they trust to seek assistance.
http://www.recognisereactreport.com.au/index.html
All teaching and non-teaching staff, as well as volunteers and parent helpers in the school are expected to sign the Child Safe Code of Conduct agreement. This ensures that everyone in our community know what constitutes acceptable behaviours when working with children. This agreement is available in the office.