CHILD SAFE STANDARDS AT ST AGNES'

Child Safe Standards at St Agnes'

At St Agnes’, the safety, wellbeing and dignity of every child are central to all that we do. We are committed to creating a school environment where every student feels safe, valued, respected and empowered. As part of this ongoing commitment, each month we are highlighting one of the Victorian Child Safe Standards with our community.

The Victorian Child Safe Standards are a set of eleven standards designed to help schools create and maintain child-safe environments through strong policies, practices and partnerships with families. They support schools in building cultures where children’s voices are heard, their wellbeing is prioritised, and safeguarding is embedded into everyday school life.

This month, we focus on Child Safe Standard Seven, which is about ensuring that processes for complaints and concerns are child-focused, accessible and responsive. Children, families, staff and members of our community need to feel confident that they can raise a concern, that they will be listened to and taken seriously, and that appropriate action will be taken when required.

At St Agnes’, we work hard to create a culture where students know there are trusted adults they can speak to when something does not feel right. Through classroom relationships, Circle Time, wellbeing lessons and regular conversations with teachers and Learning Support Officers, students are encouraged to speak up, ask for help and share concerns. Staff are trained to listen carefully, respond appropriately and follow our school's child safety and reporting procedures when concerns are raised.

Families also play an important role in this process. Parents and carers are encouraged to contact their child's classroom teacher or a member of the leadership team whenever they have a concern about their child's safety or wellbeing. Our Complaints Handling Policy, Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy and Child Safety Code of Conduct provide clear processes for how concerns and complaints are received, documented, responded to and, where necessary, escalated or reported to the appropriate authorities.

Importantly, our response to any concern is centred on the needs, safety and dignity of the child. We aim to ensure students are supported throughout the process, understand what is happening in an age-appropriate way, and have opportunities for their views to be heard. We also recognise the importance of maintaining privacy and confidentiality while ensuring that our legal and child-safety obligations are always met.

We encourage all families to continue partnering with us in this important work. A strong child-safe culture relies on students, families and staff feeling comfortable to speak up when they have a concern and knowing that it will be taken seriously. Together, we can ensure that the safety, wellbeing and dignity of every child remain at the centre of our St Agnes’ community.

What this looks like at St Agnes'

At St Agnes’, we believe that every child and family should feel confident to speak up when something does not feel right. We are committed to ensuring that concerns and complaints are listened to, taken seriously and responded to appropriately, with the safety, wellbeing and dignity of the child at the centre of our response.

Our commitment begins by ensuring students know how and where to seek help. Across the school, students are encouraged to identify trusted adults they can approach, including their classroom teacher, Learning Support Officers, specialist teachers and members of the leadership team. Through Circle Time, wellbeing lessons, Respectful Relationships and regular classroom conversations, students learn that they have the right to feel safe, to speak up about concerns and to expect adults to listen and respond.

We also have clear processes in place when a concern is raised. For example, if a student reports that they feel unsafe, are experiencing bullying or are concerned about the behaviour of another person, staff listen to the student, document the concern where appropriate and ensure it is communicated to the relevant staff or leadership member. Depending on the nature of the concern, this may involve contacting families, developing or reviewing a student safety or wellbeing plan, increasing supervision, providing additional wellbeing support or following our mandatory reporting and child-safety reporting obligations.

Our everyday practices are designed to make raising concerns accessible for children. Teachers regularly check in with students, particularly when they notice changes in behaviour, engagement or wellbeing. Students can speak privately with a trusted adult, seek support from our wellbeing team or approach a member of leadership. Our Peaceful Kids program, restorative conversations and individual wellbeing supports also provide opportunities for students to talk openly about challenges and develop the confidence and language to express when something is wrong.

Families are important partners in this process. Parents and carers are encouraged to raise concerns directly with classroom teachers or members of the leadership team, whether the matter relates to learning, friendships, behaviour, wellbeing or child safety. Our Complaints Handling Policy, Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy and Child Safety Code of Conduct provide clear processes for responding to concerns and complaints. Where a matter requires further action, we work with families and, when necessary, engage MACS, allied health professionals or relevant external authorities and services.

Importantly, we recognise that a child-focused complaints process is about more than simply having policies in place. It means listening carefully to children, taking their views seriously, communicating with them in language they understand and ensuring they continue to feel safe and supported after raising a concern. It also means respecting privacy and confidentiality while meeting our legal and professional responsibilities.

By providing clear pathways for students and families to speak up, and by responding consistently and appropriately when they do, we continue to strengthen a culture where concerns are welcomed rather than discouraged. At St Agnes’, we want every child to know that their voice matters, they have a right to feel safe, and there are adults at school who will listen and act when they need help.