Child Safety

Child Safe Standards at St Joseph’s

At St Joseph’s, the safety and wellbeing of every child sits at the heart of all that we do. As part of our ongoing commitment to creating a safe, inclusive and supportive environment, we will be sharing one of the Victorian Child Safe Standards with our community each newsletter edition.

The Child Safe Standards are a set of eleven requirements that guide schools in building a culture where children feel safe, respected and empowered, and where their wellbeing is actively protected through strong policies, practices and partnerships with families.

Child Safe Standard 5

Today we focus on Child Safe Standard 5: Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice.

This standard recognises that every child has different needs, experiences and circumstances, and that schools must take active steps to ensure all students feel safe, included and supported. Particular attention is given to students who may be more vulnerable, including children with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and students who may be unable to advocate for themselves.

At St Joseph’s, we are committed to creating an inclusive environment where every child is known, valued and supported to participate fully in school life. We work closely with families, staff and external professionals to ensure appropriate adjustments, supports and strategies are in place to meet individual student needs.

Through our wellbeing practices, inclusive teaching approaches and strong student support structures, we strive to foster a culture of belonging where diversity is respected and every child feels safe and supported.

Grounded in our Catholic values, we believe in the dignity of every person and are committed to ensuring that all students are treated with care, respect and fairness.