Child Safety

In July 2021, the Victorian Government announced new Child Safe Standards (CSS) to further strengthen child safe environments and protect children from abuse.

 

From 1 July 2022, 11 new Victorian Child Safe Standards have replaced the seven previous Child Safe Standards (and principles) which had been in place since 2016.

 

The revised Victorian CSS support greater national consistency, reflecting the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations, developed following the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. The CSS include new requirements, including:

  • the involvement of families and students in child safety efforts
  • focus on the safety of Aboriginal children and young people
  • management of the risk of child abuse in online environments
  • governance, systems and processes to keep students safe.

The CSS are underpinned by Ministerial Order No. 1359 (MO 1359), which was released by the Victorian Government on 10 February 2022. MO 1359 defines the actions schools and school boarding premises must take to meet the requirements associated with the new CSS. MO 1359 replaces the previous Ministerial Order No. 870.

What does this mean for our school?

As Catholic educators, we have a moral, mission-driven and legal responsibility to uphold and actively promote the wellbeing and safety of every student entrusted to our care. We are well placed to respond to these changes because the extensive strategies and policies already in place for the wellbeing and safety of every child will help us be compliant with the new CSS. 

 

We have updated our current child safety policies and practices, as well implemented new policies and practices, to ensure we meet the requirements of the new standards. These policies can be found on our school website. 

 

At OLA, our commitment to the protection of students is enabled in nurturing, respectful and safe communities where the uniqueness and sacred dignity of every young person are celebrated and they are able to flourish in their learning and development. We look forward to continuing this partnership with our families and community.