New Child Safe Standards
The Victorian Government has announced that the new Child Safe Standards will commence on the 1stJuly 2022 across all organisations including schools. Changes have been made to support greater national consistency, reflecting the National Principles for a Child Safe Organisation.
Key changes include new requirements:
- to involve families and communities in organisations’ efforts to keep children and young people safe
- for a greater focus on safety for Aboriginal children and young people
- to manage the risk of child abuse in online environments
- for greater clarity on the governance, systems and processes to keep children and young people safe.
The new Standards provide greater clarity for organisations on actions required to meet minimum standards. Please see below a summary of each of the new standards that come in from 1st July 2022.
New Child Safe Standard 1 –
Organisations establish a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children and young people are respected and valued e.g. All our policies, procedures, systems and processes together create a culturally safe and inclusive environment and meet the needs of Aboriginal children and their families.
New Child Safe Standard 2 -
Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture e.g. A Code of Conduct provides guidelines for staff and volunteers on expected behavioural standards and responsibilities.
New Child Safe Standard 3 –
Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously e.g. Children and young people are informed about all of their rights, including to safety, information and participation.
New Child Safe Standard 4–
Families and communities are informed, and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing e.g. Families and communities have a say in the development and review of the organisation’s policies and practices.
New Child Safe Standard 5 –
Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice e.g. Our school, including staff and volunteers, understands children and young people’s diverse circumstances, and provides support and responds to those who are vulnerable.
New Child Safe Standard 6 –
People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice e.g. Recruitment, including advertising, referee checks and staff and volunteer pre‑employment screening, emphasise child safety and wellbeing.
New Child Safe Standard 7 –
Processes for complaints and concerns are child focused e.g. Complaints are taken seriously, and responded to promptly and thoroughly.
New 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 e.g. Staff and volunteers are trained and supported to effectively implement the organisation’s child safety and wellbeing policy.
New Child Safe Standard 9 –
Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed e.g. The online environment is used in accordance with the school’s Code of Conduct and child safety and wellbeing policy and practices.
New Child Safe Standard 10 -
Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved e.g. The organisation regularly reviews, evaluates and improves child safe practices.
New Child Safe Standard 11–
Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people e.g. Policies and procedures address all Child Safe Standards.