Child Safety Standards

• Child Safe Standard 1 – Establish a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children and young people are respected and valued

We acknowledge the traditional landowners at each school gathering such as assemblies. The aboriginal flag is displayed and all students the cross curricular area of Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander culture. The school promotes a positive culture that does not tolerate racism and is inclusive of diversity.

• Child Safe Standard 2 – Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture

Weekly staff meetings have Child Safety on the agenda and the wellbeing of students is front and center of all decisions made. A member of the leadership team—Liam Doherty has been designated the Child Safety Champion. The Whole School Approach to Positive Behaviour Support serves to create a safe and predicable environment. Timetables, physical environment, routines etc are created with child safety in mind.

• Child Safe Standard 3 – Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously

Where possible and where appropriate, student voice is encouraged in all aspects of school life. This includes through inquiry based learning, being encouraged to voice a concern or complaint, reporting incidents of bullying or cyber bullying, being present at learning conversations and PSGs. Restorative conversations aim to be student centered when dealing with student differences.

Democratic class meetings are used to discuss issues that affect child safety. Representatives meet with the Child Safe Champion (Liam) to present class meeting discussions

• Child Safe Standard 4 – Families and communities are informed, and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing

Regular updates regarding how the school fosters a child safe culture are reported in the weekly newsletters, at the school advisory committee meetings, at assemblies and information and induction sessions.  Students meet with the Child Safe Champion to design ways to promote child safety and wellbeing to the school community.

• Child Safe Standard 5 – Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice
• Child Safe Standard 6 – People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice

Recruitment processes involve ensuring all people who work at the school have police checks or WWCC and have not been involved in prior reportable conduct, misconduct or illegal activities.

• Child Safe Standard 7 – Processes for complaints and concerns are child focused

All complaints are taken seriously. Where possible the student is involved in the procedure so that their voice is heard. The policy and procedures for complaints and grievances are linked to the school’s website.

• Child Safe 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

All staff complete the online module for Mandatory Reporting each year. Training for Information Sharing and Record Keeping is provided to key staff. All volunteers and contractors undergo an induction session prior to working or volunteering at the school each year. The induction includes key information related to child safety and how to respond to a concern or an incident/disclosure.

• Child Safe Standard 9 – Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed

All students must sign the ICT Acceptable User Agreement at the beginning of each school year before being permitted to use the school internet or devices. The school has secure firewalls however students learn about how to be a cyber safe each year and what to do if they come across inappropriate material at school or at home.

• Child Safe Standard 10 – Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved

The school regularly updates and reviews all child safe policies and procedures that relate to the eleven standards. Practices at the school are continually being looked in the light to improve child safe practices. The school has a Child Safety team that meets regularly each term to discuss practices and how to improve them.

• Child Safe Standard 11 – Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people

In line with this standard, the school has all child safe policies and procedures available to staff, parents and students. Policies such as the Record Keeping Policy are inclusive of child safety practices. Policies for parents and the wider community are available on the school website. Staff can find the policies and related procedures in the staff handbook site.