As of 1 July, Victoria has adopted new Child Safe Standards to align with the national standards and to ensure all institutions working with young people prioritise their safety, protection, and empowerment. The table below outlines each standard and a snapshot of the policies, programs and practices we have, and are developing, at the College to not only be compliant with the Standards, but ensure that at all times, child safety and wellbeing is our number one priority.
| 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.
· Foster links to our indigenous story with our land part of the Mullum Mullum creek where indigenous people gathered for thousands of years · Acknowledging the traditional custodians of our land at every school gathering · Celebration of indigenous sports round · Indigenous Immersion · Flying the aboriginal flag
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| Standard 2
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Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture.
· Identifying and Responding to Abuse Reporting Obligations Policy · Staff, Volunteers and Contractors Student Safety Code of Conduct · Reportable Conduct Policy · Child Safety is a standing College Board, College Leadership Team and Wellbeing Team agenda item · Public statement of College’s commitment to child safety and wellbeing · Every College policy contains clear commitment to Child Safety and Wellbeing
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| Standard 3
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Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.
· Student Leadership Program · Child Safety Team o Promote and create a safe environment for all students at Whitefriars College – including physical, mental, social and emotional o To ensure students are empowered and play an active role, working in partnership with adults, in contributing to the safety of the students at the College o To discuss, formulate and implement (or recommend the implementation) of child safe programs and practices o To review and formulate child friendly/accessible child safe policies and processes · Student Safety Reporting Process developed by the Child Safety Team · Pastoral Care system · Psychological Services Team · Help seeking resources made available via Psychological Services Team · Wellbeing Program · Student leaders attending Wellbeing and Learning Team meetings · Health and Physical Education curriculum
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| Standard 4
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Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.
· Learning and Wellbeing surveys for parents · Parent Support Group meetings · Published Child Safety policies and Staff, Volunteers & Contractors Code of Conduct for parents to read · Student Parent Teacher conferences
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| Standard 5
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Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice.
· Learning Diversity department working with students and their parents where specific learning and social/emotional needs are identified · Parent Support Group meetings · Behaviour Support Plans to help students access their learning |
| Standard 6 | People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice.
· Employment practices include reference checks and volunteers working at the school having Working With Children Checks · Job advertisements and position descriptions explicitly refer to child safety · Annual child safety induction |
| Standard 7 | Processes for complaints and concerns are child-focused.
· Student Safety Reporting Process · Parent/Guardian Concerns Resolution Policy · Pastoral Care System fostering open communication and support for students
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| 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.
· Staff training and induction · Mandatory Reporting briefings · Reporting obligation posters in all staff areas and offices
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| Standard 9 | Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed.
· Cyber education programs – Year 7 Victoria Police Cyber Safety session · Child Safety Team · Risk assessments for all excursions, incursions and activities · VET providers compliant with Child Safe Standards
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| Standard 10 | Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved.
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| Standard 11 | Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people.
· Identifying and Responding to Abuse Reporting Obligations Policy · Reportable Conduct policy · Procedure for Ensuring that Staff are informed about Mandatory Reporting Obligations · Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy · Mandatory Reporting briefings · Staff, Volunteers and Contractors Student Safety Code of Conduct · Reportable Conduct Policy
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At Whitefriars, the safety of our student community is our number one priority. In everything we do, protecting our young men from any form of abuse and empowering them to speak up if they feel unsafe is paramount.
Mr Mick Lafferty
Deputy Principal – Students
