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.

Minimum requirements

In complying with Child Safe Standard 8 an organisation must, at a minimum, ensure:

8.1 Staff and volunteers are trained and supported to effectively implement the organisation’s Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy.

8.2 Staff and volunteers receive training and information to recognise indicators of child harm including harm caused by other children and young people.

8.3 Staff and volunteers receive training and information to respond effectively to issues of child safety and wellbeing and support colleagues who disclose harm.

8.4 Staff and volunteers receive training and information on how to build culturally safe environments for children and young people.

Compliance indicators

What will the Commission look for when assessing this Standard?

Organisations will generally comply if they produce these documents and undertake these actions in a way that supports the organisation to achieve this Standard. The nature or characteristics of your organisation may mean you need to do something different to what is proposed below. Read our guidance materials for more information.

Documents

A training action plan for staff and volunteers includes training on:
- the Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy (8.1)
- identifying indicators of child abuse and harm (8.2)
- how to support a person making a disclosure about harm to a child (8.3)
- how to respond to issues of child safety including internal and external reporting requirements, notifying families and carers and managing risks to children (8.3)
- how to support cultural safety. (8.4)
Guidance materials (such as policies, procedures, guidelines, information sheets and posters) for staff and volunteers provide guidance about:
- identifying indicators of child abuse and harm, including where caused by other children (8.2)
- how to respond to issues of child safety including internal and external reporting requirements, notifying families and carers and managing risks to children (8.3)
- how to support a person disclosing harm to a child (8.3)
- how to create culturally safe environments in the organisation. (8.4)
A training register records completion of training by staff and volunteers. (8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4)

Actions

Leaders communicate to staff and volunteers that child safety training is mandatory. (8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4)
Training is provided to staff and volunteers on the Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy on induction and at regular intervals. (8.1)
Training is provided to staff and volunteers that supports their ability to:
- identify signs of child abuse and harm (8.2)
- respond to issues of child safety including internal and external reporting requirements, notifying families and carers and managing risks to children (8.3)
- support a person disclosing child harm (8.2, 8.3)
- create culturally safe environments in the organisation. (8.4)
Training and guidance on child safety is:
- appropriate to the organisation’s engagement with children and the needs of children in the organisation
- trauma-informed
- offered on a regular basis to enable staff and volunteers to keep their skills and knowledge up-to-date
- regularly reviewed and updated to remain effective. (8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4)
Supervision and management of staff and volunteers includes identifying child safety training needs. (8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4)

Learn more about Standard 8

Our Guide for creating a Child Safe Organisation has detailed information and advice on how to comply with each Standard. This guide is helpful for people who are responsible for implementing the Child Safe Standards:

Guide for creating a Child Safe Organisation

If you’re looking for an overview of all the Standards and requirements, download the Short Guide to the Child Safe Standards. This guide is useful for people who are just getting started with the Standards, or people who have oversight of the Standards in their organisation.

Short Guide to the Child Safe Standards

The Commission also has a range of tools and templates to help organisations develop key policies, practices and procedures including:

Sample learning or training action plan

Parents & Friends Association