Montmorency Primary School is committed to child safety and has a zero-tolerance approach towards child abuse. At MPS, we are committed to providing a safe environment where children feel empowered and heard. In line with the Child Safe Standards, our school has a number of processes and policies in place to meet the DET requirements and Ministerial Order 1359

 

The aim of the child safe standards is to drive continuous improvement so that protecting children from abuse is embedded in everyday thinking and practice of leaders, staff and volunteers. The focus of the standards is on raising awareness and helping organisations to create and maintain child safe environments through education and training.

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The Child Safe Standards have been introduced in response to the recommendations of the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into the Handling of Child Abuse by Religious and Other Non-Government Organisations, which found that more must be done to prevent and respond to child abuse. The standards apply to all organisations that provide services for children, including early childhood services.

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There are eleven standards that Victorian schools must comply with to receive registration:

• 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.

• Child Safe Standard 2 – Ensure that child safety and wellbeing are embedded in school 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 are 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 – Ensure that 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 that document how schools are safe for children, young people and students.

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Staff take all allegations of child abuse and safety concerns seriously and participate in regular Mandatory Reporting training. We have legal and moral obligations to contact authorities whenever we have a reasonable concern that a child’s safety is at risk. School Council is involved in undertaking risk assessments and policy reviews to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our students is at the forefront of all decisions.

 

Policies are regularly reviewed every 1-3 years (depending on the policy). For more information on our approach to Child Safe Standards, you may refer to the following:

• Child Safe Policy

• Student Wellbeing and Engagement Policy

• Duty of Care Policy

• Yard Duty Policy

• Code of Conduct

 

Please note: Due to the current School Review process, some of these policies are currently being reviewed and will be made available on the school website in the next 2 weeks.

 

For more information, please refer to the Department website:

https://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/teachers/health/childprotection/Pages/default.aspx