Child Safe

Wattle Park Primary School is committed to Child Safety

The Victorian Government has announced new Child Safe Standards to further strengthen child safety across organisations, including schools. The new standards recognise the critical importance of families and the broader school community in maintaining and promoting child safety and wellbeing.

From the 1^st July, all schools must comply with the Victorian Government’s new Child Safe Standards. The new Child Safe Standards consist of 11 standards. All school policies relating to the new Child Safe standards have been reviewed, updated and approved by School Council. These policies are available in the 'Policies' section of our school website

Principle of Inclusion

Wattle Park Primary School are committed to providing a child safe environment where children and young people are safe, feel safe, and their voices are heard about decisions that affect their lives. Our child safe policies, procedures, strategies and practices will be inclusive of the needs of all children, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

Wattle Park Primary School takes into account and makes reasonable adjustments to accommodate the diversity of all children including (but not limited to) the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, children with disabilities, children who are vulnerable; students in out of home care, LGBTI students and international students

Wattle Park Primary School is committed to child safety and establishing and maintaining child safe and child friendly environments, where all children feel valued and safe; including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, children with disabilities and vulnerable children. We have zero tolerance of child abuse, and all allegations and safety concerns are treated very seriously and consistently through our strict policies and procedures. We make every effort to support all children, staff, parents and guardians, volunteers and community members in upholding our shared commitment to child safety.

If you feel a child is at immediate risk of abuse phone 000.

All volunteers and relevant staff are required to provide a Working with Children Check and sign a copy of our WPPS Child Safe Code of Conduct.

Please read and sign the WPPS Child Safe Code of Conduct and return it to the school as soon as possible.

Volunteer Packs including the WPPS Child Safe Code of Conduct are available at the office.

Standard 1: Culturally safe environments

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: Leadership, governance and culture

Ensure that child safety and wellbeing are embedded in school leadership, governance and culture.

Standard 3: Child and student empowerment

Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.

Standard 4: Family engagement

Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.

Standard 5: Diversity and equity

Equity is upheld and diverse needs are respected in policy and practice.

Standard 6: Suitable staff and volunteers

People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice.

Standard 7: Child-focused complaints processes

Ensure that processes for complaints and concerns are child focused.

Standard 8: Child safety knowledge, skills and awareness

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

Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed.

Standard 10: Review of child safety practices

Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved.

Standard 11: Implementation of child safety practices

Policies and procedures that document how schools are safe for children, young people and students.

WPPS Child Safety & Wellbeing Policy

WPPS Child Safety Code of Conduct

WPPS Child Safe Incident Report Form

WPPS Child Safety Responding and Reporting Obligations Policy and Procedures

WPPS Action Plan: Aboriginal Learning, Wellbeing and Safety

Please report any child safety concerns to Wattle Park Primary School's Principal.