Child Safe Standards

The Child Safe Standards

The Child Safe Standards (the Standards) are compulsory minimum standards for all Victorian schools to ensure they are well prepared to keep children and young people safe and protect them from abuse. Ministerial Order 1359 – Implementing the Child Safe Standards – Managing the risk of child abuse in schools provides the framework for child safety in schools.

The Child Safe Standards include requirements to keep children, young people and students safe, including:

• involvement of families and students in child safety
• schools’ focus on safety for Aboriginal students
• better management of child abuse risks in online environments
• governance, systems and processes for keeping students safe.

Warragul North Primary School has a clear and public commitment to upholding the standards listed below:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Warragul North Primary School Council will complete a Child Safe Standards school self-assessment annually to ensure the standards are monitored.

School process for dealing with an intruder:

 * Call 000 for emergency services and seek and follow advice.

* Report the emergency immediately to the Chief Warden.

* Do not do or say anything to the person to encourage irrational behaviour.

* Initiate action to restrict entry to the building if possible and confine or isolate the threat from building occupants.

* Determine whether evacuation, lock-down or shelter-in-place is required. Do this in consultation with the Police where possible.

* Evacuation only should be considered if safe to do so.

* Report emergency to the Incident Support and Operations Centre on 1800 126 126.

* Notify your region and seek advice from your regional Manager, Operations and Emergency Management if required.

* Contact parents as required.

* Direct all Media enquiries to DET Media Unit on 8688 7776

* Briefing of the incident