Executive Director’s Update to Principals #37 - 26 July 2022
Child Safe Standards Term 3 Update
On 1 July the ‘new’ Child Safe Standards (CSS) came into force in Victoria to better protect children from harm and abuse. Aligning more closely with the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations, the 11 new standards replace the previous 7 Child Safe Standards. Semester Two will provide the opportunity for schools to continue to work through the Action List which has been updated to include VRQA compliance indicators.
Throughout Semester Two we aim to offer professional learning opportunities to support schools in meeting the CSS starting with professional learning specific to the CSS and Child Safe Risk Management. We are also developing a CSS resource for Volunteers in schools in collaboration with MACS. This will be shared with DOBCEL schools as soon as it becomes available.
Updated Action List.
The ‘New Child Safe Standards Action List- Version 2 [dated 23 June] is now available and can be downloaded via this link.
The VRQA Compliance Indicators have been added and policies listed within the Action List that have been uploaded to eSort are in bold text.
The initial tranche of policies released (see below) ensures DOBCEL schools are compliant with MO1359 and the new Victorian CSS.
You will note that some of these policies reference related policies that have not yet been released. Each of those policies, procedures and related documents will be carefully reviewed for compliance and then submitted for Board approval and ratification by Bishop Paul. These documents will be released as they are ratified over the coming months.
Policy Update.
The following ratified policies have been added to eSort:
[insert school name] Child Safety & Wellbeing Policy
[insert school name] Complaints Handling Policy (needs to be publicly available)
[insert school name] Engaging Families and Caregivers in Child Safety Policy
[insert school name] Recruitment Policy
[insert school name] Bullying Prevention (including Cyberbullying) Policy
[insert school name] Diversity and Equity Policy
DOBCEL Student Empowerment and Participation Policy
DOBCEL Child Safe Standards- Recordkeeping Policy
DOBCEL Identifying and Responding to Abuse: Reporting Obligations Procedures
[insert school name] Safeguarding Children & Young People Code of Conduct
New Safeguarding Children & Young People Code of Conduct – Due date.
The Safeguarding Children & Young People Code of Conduct is an important document that will require particular attention. The code of conduct will require contextualisation and the signing by all current staff and volunteers as soon as possible. We ask that schools meet this requirement by the end of Term Three. Any staff on extended leave for the whole of Term 3 should sign the new Code of Conduct on their return to school.
Feedback.
We are always grateful for your feedback and any questions you may have regarding the rollout of the new Child Safe Standards. If you wish to get in contact, please email Jacqueline Righetti.