education.vic.gov.au

Policy

This policy supports schools to create and maintain a child safe organisation and protect students from all forms of abuse.

Summary

Details

The Child Safe Standards

The Child Safe Standards (the Standards) are compulsory minimum standards for all Victorian schools to ensure they are well prepared to keep children and young people safe and protect them from abuse. Ministerial Order 1359 – Implementing the Child Safe Standards – Managing the risk of child abuse in schools (PDF)External Link provides the framework for child safety in schools.

Victorian schools can continue to build on their existing child safety strategies, policies and practices to strengthen their culture of child safety and protect children and young people from abuse.

The Child Safe Standards include requirements to keep children, young people and students safe, including:

  • involvement of families and students in child safety
  • schools’ focus on safety for Aboriginal students
  • better management of child abuse risks in online environments
  • governance, systems and processes for keeping students safe.

The Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority is responsible for regulating the compliance of schools with the Standards. Schools are required to comply with the Standards as part of the prescribed minimum standards for registration.

There are 11 Child Safe Standards:

What help is available?

Schools can visit:

Relevant legislation

Department policy containing an overview of the Child Safe Standards including a link to Ministerial Order 1359 – Implementing the Child Safe Standards – Managing the Risk of Child Abuse in Schools

Reviewed 25 June 2024

Policy last updated

25 June 2024

Scope

  • Schools
  • School councils

Contact

Wellbeing Workforces and Child Safety Unit

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