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 8

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.

Important Dates

June 2026