Child Safety
Our Commitment to Child Safe Standards
Since 1 January 2016, all Victorian schools must comply with the Child Safe Standards. These standards ensure that organisations working with children take active steps to promote a culture of safety and protect children from all forms of abuse. Tombolo Academy ensures that policies and procedures are updated regularly and reflect a proactive approach to child protection. This includes recognising the diverse needs of Aboriginal children, children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, and children with disabilities.
Commitment Statement
Tombolo Academy is committed to the safety, wellbeing, and inclusion of all children. We have zero tolerance for child abuse and take proactive steps to create a child-safe environment where every student feels respected, valued, and heard. We are committed to the cultural safety of Aboriginal children, children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and children with a disability. Our policies and practices are reviewed annually to reflect current standards and best practice.
What Are the Child Safe Standards?
The aim of the child safe standards is to drive continuous improvement so that protecting children from abuse is embedded in the everyday thinking and practice of leaders, staff, and volunteers. The standards focus on raising awareness and helping organisations create and maintain child-safe environments through education and training.
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.
Creating a child safe organisation
In complying with the child safe standards, our school must include the following principles as part of each standard:
Promoting the cultural safety of Aboriginal children
Promoting the cultural safety of children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds
Promoting the safety of children with a disability
To create and maintain a child safe organisation, a school must have in place policies and procedures for the 11 standards:
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.
2. Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture.
3. Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.
4. Families and communities are informed, and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.
5. Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice.
6. People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice.
7. Processes for complaints and concerns are child focused.
8. Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training.
9. Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed.
10. Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved.
11. Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people.
The National Quality Framework already requires all schools to meet many aspects of the child safe standards. Services are encouraged to review their policies, procedures and practices including their current child safe environment and staffing policies and procedures to ensure they meet the child safe standards.
More Information
You can find more about the Child Safe Standards at ccyp.vic.gov.au, in our school documentation, or by contacting our Child Safe Officer & Principal, Helen Barrett.
