Redesdale Mia Mia Primary School has a commitment to zero tolerance of child abuse. We are committed to the safety of all children within the school including those with a disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. This policy applies to all school environments (inclusive of physical and online environments) on and off school campus. Any child enrolled within the school has the right to feel safe and nurtured in a supportive learning community.

Children have the right to be safe and protected, including at school. It is important that you feel confident that your child is safe and well in the care of their school.

Schools are responsible for keeping children safe. Schools have to meet legal requirements for the care, safety and welfare of students. From 1 August 2016, they also need to meet child safe standards to achieve a zero-tolerance approach to child abuse.

This information sheet provides information for parents about the child safe standards and how your school must protect children from child abuse.

What information should your school provide to you?

 
The school should provide you with:

• the school’s child safety policy or statement of commitment to child safety
• strategies to embed a culture of child safety at the school, and roles and responsibilities within the school for achieving these strategies.

You can ask to see these things. You could also ask to see the school’s:

• code of conduct outlining clear expectations for appropriate behaviour by school staff with children (this must be publicly available)
• strategies to promote child empowerment and participation, e.g. delivering appropriate education about standards of behaviour for students attending the school, healthy and respectful relationships (including sexuality), resilience and child abuse awareness and prevention
• procedures for reporting suspected child abuse (this must be publicly available).

If you believe the school could take a stronger approach to child safety, whether for all children or to meet your child’s specific needs, speak to the principal or someone in a leadership role at the school.
 
If you wish to make a formal complaint that the school is not meeting the child safe standards, you will first need to make a complaint directly to the school. If you are not satisfied with the outcome of your complaint to the school, you can make a formal complaint. More information about making a complaint is available at www.vrqa.vic.gov.au

Victoria’s Child Safe Standards

In 2013, the Victorian Parliament held an Inquiry into the Handling of Child Abuse by Religious and Other Non-Government Organisations, resulting in the Betrayal of Trust Report.

The report found that more could be done to strengthen existing approaches to child safety. In response, the Victorian Government is phasing in child safe standards for organisations that work with children, including schools.

What are the standards?

The child safe standards require schools to consider all aspects of child safety and put measures in place to protect children from all forms of abuse, including:

• sexual or grooming offences
• physical violence
• serious emotional or psychological harm
• serious neglect.

Below are the seven child safe standards. The Minister for Education has set out in Ministerial Order No. 1359 what specific actions schools need to take to meet the child safe standards.

Child Safety Code of Conduct 2024

Child Safety Responding & Reporting Obligations Policy & Procedures 2024

Child Safety Risk Register 2024

Child Safety & Wellbeing Policy

A Child Safety Code of Conduct

Child Safety Responding and Reporting Obligations (including mandatory reporting) Policy and Procedures.

All Standards: School governing authorities must take account the diversity of all children, including (but not limited to) the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, children with disabilities and children who are vulnerable (schools only).