Child Safe Standards

The Child Safe Standards require organisations involving children to have policies, procedures and practices to keep them safe.

All children have the right to feel safe and be safe, but safety does not just happen. We all have an obligation to do the best we can to keep children safe from harm and abuse.

Victoria’s Child Safe Standards (the Standards) began in Victoria in January 2016. They are a set of mandatory requirements that ensure organisations have systems, policies, and practices in place to keep children safe from abuse and harm in organisational settings.

In each edition of the newsletter, we will outline a standard in more detail. For more information on the Child Safety Standards visit https://ccyp.vic.gov.au/child-safe-standards/the-11-child-safe-standards/

Standard 3

In complying with Child Safe Standard 3 an organisation must, at a minimum, ensure:

3.1 Children and young people are informed about all of their rights, including to safety, information and participation.

3.2 The importance of friendships is recognised and support from peers is encouraged, to help children and young people feel safe and be less isolated.

3.3 Where relevant to the setting or context, children and young people are offered access to sexual abuse prevention programs and to relevant related information in an age-appropriate way.

3.4 Staff and volunteers are attuned to signs of harm and facilitate child-friendly ways for children and young people to express their views, participate in decision-making and raise their concerns.

3.5 Organisations have strategies in place to develop a culture that facilitates participation and is responsive to the input of children and young people.

3.6 Organisations provide opportunities for children and young people to participate and are responsive to their contributions, thereby strengthening confidence and engagement.

Important Dates

September - October 2025