A Child Safe Environment

Promoting a Child Safe Environment

The Victorian government has introduced compulsory minimum child safe standards that apply from 1 January 2016 to all organisations providing regulated or funded services for children. The child safe standards form part of the Victorian Government鈥檚 response to the Betrayal of Trust Inquiry, which found that more must be done to prevent and respond to child abuse in our community.

The purpose of the child safe standards is to drive continuous improvement in the way organisations prevent child abuse, encourage reporting and improve responses to allegations of abuse. The child safe standards closely align with existing regulatory requirements for early childhood services and many services will already be taking steps to implement the standards.

 

In complying with the child safe standards, the following principles must be applied to 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

 

The child safe standards are as follows:

  • Child Safe Standard 1

    Establish a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children and young people are respected and valued.

  • Child Safe Standard 2

    Ensure that child safety and wellbeing are embedded in school leadership, governance and culture.

  • Child Safe Standard 3

    Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.

  • Child Safe Standard 4

    Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.

  • Child Safe Standard 5

    Equity is upheld and diverse needs are respected in policy and practice.

  • Child Safe Standard 6

    People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice.

  • Child Safe Standard 7

    Ensure that processes for complaints and concerns are child focused.

  • 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.

  • Child Safe Standard 9

    Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed.

  • Child Safe Standard 10

    Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved.

  • Child Safe Standard 11

    Policies and procedures that document how schools are safe for children, young people and students.

Ministerial Order 1359 provides the framework for child safety in schools.
 

Guidance and information to assist services to understand the requirements of each of the child safe standards, is available on the聽