The Child Safe Standards
As part of the Victorian Government’s commitment to implementing the recommendations of the Betrayal of Trust report, which found that more must be done to prevent and respond to child abuse in our community, there is a new regulatory landscape surrounding child safety, underpinned by the Child Safe Standards.
The Child Safe Standards are compulsory minimum standards for all Victorian early childhood services and schools, to ensure they are well prepared to protect children from abuse and neglect.
Schools guidance
Guidance for schools on how to meet their obligations under the child safe standards.
Early childhood guidance
Guidance for early childhood services on how to comply with the Child Safe Standards.
VET and higher education providers guidance
Guidance to support VET and higher education providers in Victoria to meet their obligations under the child safe standards.
Child protection
Child Protection and Child Safe Standards (PROTECT)
Information and advice on how to protect children, create a child safe environment, identify and report signs of abuse.
Child protection in early childhood
Guidance to support staff employed in Victorian early childhood services to take action if they suspect, or are witness to any form of child abuse.
Memorandum of Understanding: Protecting the safety and wellbeing of children and young people
The Department of Education, Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH), Family Safety Victoria, Catholic Education Commission Victoria and Independent Schools Victoria have a shared commitment to the safety, health and wellbeing of children in Victorian schools and early childhood services, and work together on many areas of mutual interest and responsibility. These organisations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to replace the Joint Protocol ‘Protecting the safety and wellbeing of children and young people’.
The MOU provides clarity for roles and responsibilities, the sharing of information and reporting cases between schools and early childhood services and Child Protection and Child and Family Information, Referral and Support Teams / The Orange Door. The MOU also provides a process for resolving disputes and escalation mechanisms for issues, such as disagreement regarding responses to a report to Child Protection, or, information sharing between the organisations.
Updated