Assessment of a host organisation’s suitability
In its duty of care to its students, a school must be satisfied that the host organisation will provide a safe and suitable workplace for its students.
Under Victorian Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) legislation and standards, employers must provide and maintain a safe working environment for their employees and volunteers. More information is available at the WorkSafe Victoria .
The school must be satisfied that the host organisation understands OHS legislation and standards and complies with them to make sure students are safe when doing school community work.
The school must ensure that the host organisation does the following:
- complete the Risk Assessment for school community work before the start of the placement
- identify and control the risks/hazards in the students’ work environment and document how this is begin done
- complete the relevant section of the Victorian Government School Arrangement Form for school community .
The school will work with the host organisation, where reasonably practicable, to ensure that risks are reduced — for example by:
- providing relevant information about the students
- having students complete an OHS program prior to the placement
The school must review the completed Risk Assessment Form for school community work with the host organisation. The school must be satisfied that risk management strategies will be implemented to control any identified hazards and potential risks before approving the placement. The principal must sign the form and keep it at the school for a minimum of 7 years.
Reviewed 27 May 2020