CHILD SAFETY IS EVERYONE'S RESPONSIBILITY 

CHILD SAFE STANDARD 2

Child Safe Standard 2: Child Safety and Wellbeing is Embedded in Leadership, Governance and Culture

In complying with Child Safe Standard 2 RPS must, at a minimum, ensure:

2.1    The organisation makes a public commitment to child safety.

2.2    A child safe culture is championed and modelled at all levels of the organisation from the top down and bottom up.

2.3    Governance arrangements facilitate implementation of the Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy at all levels.

2.4    A Code of Conduct provides guidelines for staff and volunteers on expected behavioural standards and responsibilities.

2.5    Risk management strategies focus on preventing, identifying and mitigating risks to children and young people.

2.6    Staff and volunteers understand their obligations on information sharing and record keeping.

At Ripponlea Primary School, the safety and wellbeing of every child sits at the centre of our leadership, decision-making and everyday practices. Child Safe Standard 2 focuses on ensuring that child safety is embedded in the school’s leadership, governance and organisational culture, and we continue to prioritise this responsibility across all aspects of school life.

Our School Council and leadership team play an important role in ensuring strong oversight of child safety practices. Policies relating to child safety, student wellbeing and inclusion are regularly reviewed and updated to ensure they align with the Victorian Child Safe Standards and Department of Education requirements. These policies guide our daily work and ensure that protecting children remains a shared responsibility across our school community.

Throughout the year, our staff participate in mandatory Child Safe training and inductions, ensuring they clearly understand their professional responsibilities, the Code of Conduct, and the processes for responding to concerns. Child safety is also embedded in staff recruitment and onboarding processes to ensure that all adults working with children at Ripponlea uphold the highest standards of care.

Leadership at Ripponlea actively promotes a culture where child safety is openly discussed, monitored and continuously strengthened. Our wellbeing structures, including the work of our Wellbeing and Inclusion team, provide strong support for students and ensure that any concerns are addressed promptly and thoughtfully.

Importantly, we also believe that children themselves play an important role in a child-safe environment. 

Through our student leadership opportunities, wellbeing programs and classroom discussions, students are supported to understand their rights, develop respectful relationships and know how to seek help from trusted adults.

At Ripponlea Primary School, creating a safe environment for children is not simply a compliance requirement; it is a core value that guides how we lead, teach and care for every student in our community. We remain committed to continually strengthening our child safe practices to ensure every child feels safe, respected and supported to learn and thrive.