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. As a result, the Victorian Government is phasing in Child Safe Standards for organisations that work with children, including schools.
Chelsea Primary School is committed to child safety and to our children to being principled, caring, balanced members of our community. We are committed to the safety, participation and empowerment of our children and have zero tolerance of child abuse. All allegations and safety concerns will be treated very seriously and consistently. We have legal and moral obligations to contact authorities when we are worried about a child’s safety, which we follow rigorously. The school is committed to regularly training and educating our staff and volunteers on child abuse risks and all staff undertake Mandatory Reporting training.
We support and respect all children, as well as our staff and volunteers, and are committed to the cultural safety of children from diverse backgrounds, and to providing a safe environment for children with a disability.
Our Commitment to Child Safety
Chelsea Primary School is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people. This will be the primary focus of our care and decision-making. Chelsea Primary School has zero tolerance towards child abuse. We are committed to providing a child-safe environment where children and young people are safe and feel safe, and their voices are heard about decisions that affect their lives. Particular attention will be paid to the cultural safety of Aboriginal children and children from culturally and /or linguistically diverse backgrounds, as well as the safety of children with a disability.
To create and maintain a child safe organisation, Chelsea Primary School must comply with Ministerial Order No 870 – Child Safe Standards which came into effect on 1st August, 2016.
Standard 1 – Strategies to embed an organisational culture of child safety.
Standard 2 – A child safety policy or a statement of commitment to child safety.
Standard 3 – A code of conduct that establishes clear expectations for appropriate behaviour with children.
Standard 4 – Screening, supervision, training and other human resource practices that reduce the risk of child abuse.
Standard 5 – Procedures for responding to and reporting suspected child abuse.
Standard 6 – Strategies to identify and reduce or remove risks of child abuse.
Standard 7 – Strategies to promote child participation and empowerment.
Child Safe Standards Code of Conduct, Staff, Volunteers and School Council MembersFeeling Safe for Primary School StudentsProtecting Children form Abuse for Parents and Carers