CHILD SAFETY IS EVERYONE'S RESPONSIBILITY 

Child Safe Standard 8:

Staff and volunteers are equipped with knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training. 

Ripponlea Primary School ensures that all school staff, School Council members, and volunteers are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to uphold a strong culture of child safety and wellbeing. The school provides clear policies, ongoing professional learning, and tailored induction programs to ensure everyone understands their obligations and responsibilities under the Child Safe Standards and Ministerial Order 1359.

Policy Framework

• Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy: This policy outlines the school’s ongoing commitment to child safety and the systems in place to ensure:
  • All staff and School Council members receive annual training and guidance on child safety, including recognising and responding to abuse.
  • Staff are informed of the Four Critical Actions for Schools and mandatory reporting requirements.
  • Induction processes for new staff include child safety obligations and the school’s Code of Conduct.
• Volunteers Policy: This policy provides detailed information on the expectations and training requirements for volunteers, ensuring they:
  • Understand and follow the Child Safety Code of Conduct.
  • Hold a current Working with Children Check (WWCC).
  • Complete child safety induction and training appropriate to their role and activity

Training for Staff and School Council

• All staff complete annual child safety training, including updates on policy changes, reporting obligations, and risk management.
• New staff complete induction modules covering:
  • Child Safe Standards and the school’s expectations.
  • Identifying and responding to child abuse.
  • Reporting procedures and record-keeping.
• School Council members receive annual guidance to understand their governance responsibilities in maintaining a child safe environment.

Training for Volunteers

Volunteers who support the school in various capacities are required to complete appropriate child safety training aligned to their role. They may be engaged in the following activities:

• Excursions and local walking trips
• Classroom Helpers Program
• Sporting carnivals
• Intensive swimming programs
• Gardening and sustainability projects

• School production and performance events

   

  All volunteers:

• Complete a Child Safety Induction prior to commencing.
• Are briefed by supervising teachers on specific expectations and risk considerations relevant to the activity.
• Acknowledge their understanding of the Child Safety Code of Conduct.
• Undertake refresher briefings if they continue volunteering across multiple programs or years.

Implementation and Review

• Records of all staff and volunteer training are maintained in the school’s compliance register.
• The Child Safety and Wellbeing Officer and Principal monitor training completion and ensure updates are provided annually.
• Feedback from staff and volunteers informs continuous improvement of training materials and policy review.
• Policies are reviewed annually and ratified by the School Council to ensure alignment with DET and legislative updates.

Ripponlea Primary School maintains a proactive approach to training and equipping all adults in the school community with the knowledge, awareness, and confidence to protect children and uphold a culture of safety and inclusion. This commitment ensures compliance with Child Safe Standard 8 and promotes continuous reflection and improvement across all school operations.