Child Safe Standards
The Child Safe Standards
At St Joseph's, the safety and wellbeing of all our students is our highest priority. Safety is at the foundation of every child's ability to learn and thrive. We place it at the heart of everything we do and are unwavering in our commitment.
As educators, we have a moral and legal responsibility to act in the best interests of every child and young person, to actively promote their wellbeing and to ensure the safety of every student entrusted to our care.
The Child Safe Standards set out minimum requirements and outline the actions organisations must take to keep children and young people safe.
There are 11 Child Safe Standards, which include requirements to:
- involve families and communities in organisations’ efforts to keep children and young people safe
- provide greater focus on safety for Aboriginal children and young people
- manage the risk of child abuse in online environments.
Here is a link to more information about the standards: https://ccyp.vic.gov.au/child-safe-standards/the-11-child-safe-standards/
Child Safe Standard 7
Throughout the year, our staff dedicate time to engaging with and strengthening our understanding of the Victorian Child Safe Standards. These professional learning opportunities ensure that child safety and wellbeing remain at the forefront of all that we do as a school community.
Over the next few weeks, our staff will be focused on Child Safe Standard 7 – Child-Focused Complaints and Concerns.
At St Joseph’s, the safety and wellbeing of every child is at the heart of everything we do. Child Safe Standard 7 reminds us that our processes for raising complaints and concerns must be child focused. This means ensuring children feel safe to speak up, know that their concerns will be listened to, and are confident that they will be taken seriously and responded to appropriately. We encourage children, families and staff to raise any concerns about a child’s safety or wellbeing. We are committed to listening respectfully, responding promptly and compassionately, and ensuring that the child’s safety and wellbeing remain our highest priority. By creating a culture where children feel heard, believed and supported, we strengthen our commitment to providing a safe and welcoming environment for every member of our school community.
Please refer to the MACS Care Parent Fact Sheet on Child Safe Standard 7:
Child Safe Standard 8
Over the next few weeks, our staff will be focused on Child Safe Standard 8 – Staff Knowledge, Skills and Awareness
At St Joseph’s, keeping children and young people safe is a shared responsibility. Child Safe Standard 8 highlights the importance of ensuring that all staff and volunteers have the knowledge, skills and awareness to recognise risks, identify concerns and respond appropriately to protect children. Through ongoing education, training and professional learning, we ensure child safety remains embedded in our everyday practice. We are committed to providing our staff and volunteers with the confidence, understanding and support they need to act promptly when concerns arise and to create a safe, respectful and supportive environment where every child can thrive.
Please refer to the MACS Care Parent Fact Sheet on Child Safe Standard 8:
"At St Joseph's Primary School, we hold the safety, wellbeing and protection of all children and young people in our care as a central and fundamental responsibility of our school."
Annabelle Marinelli
Principal