Our Commitment

Strathfieldsaye Primary School is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people. This is the primary focus of our care and decision-making. Every person involved in our school has a responsibility to understand the important and specific role they play individually and collectively to ensure that the wellbeing and safety of all children and young people are at the forefront of all they do and every decision they make.

Strathfieldsaye Primary School has zero-tolerance for 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 is paid to the cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, as well as the safety of children with a disability and children who are vulnerable.

Our Child Safety Principles

In its planning, decision-making and operations, Strathfieldsaye Primary School will:

  • Take a preventative, proactive and participatory approach to child safety;
  • Value and empower children to participate in decisions which affect their lives;
  • Foster a culture of openness that supports all persons to safely disclose risks of harm to children;
  • Respect diversity in cultures and child-rearing practices while keeping child safety paramount;
  • Provide written guidance on appropriate conduct and behaviour towards children;
  • Engage only the most suitable people to work with children and have high-quality staff and volunteer supervision and professional development;
  • Ensure children know who to talk with if they are worried or are feeling unsafe and that they are comfortable and encouraged to raise such issues;
  • Report suspected abuse, neglect or mistreatment promptly to the appropriate authorities;
  • Share information appropriately and lawfully with other organisations where the safety and wellbeing of children is at risk; and
  • Value the input of and communicate regularly with families and carers.

The Child Safe Standards

In response to Ministerial Order 870 and Ministerial Order No. 1359, the Victorian Government has introduced eleven Child Safe Standards across all organisations in the Victorian communities where children spend time.

  • 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
  • Standard 2: Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture
  • Standard 3: Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously
  • Standard 4: Families and communities are informed, and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing
  • Standard 5: Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice
  • Standard 6: People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice
  • Standard 7: Processes for complaints and concerns are child focused
  • 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
  • Standard 9: Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed
  • Standard 10: Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved
  • Standard 11: Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people

For further information on the Child Safe Standards refer to the Commission for Children and Young People – New Child Safe Standards