Child Safe
The care, safety and wellbeing of children and young people is a central and fundamental responsibility of Catholic Education. The Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education Ltd is committed to strengthened practice for the protection of children in line with the Victorian Government child safety reforms.
Founded in Christ and sustained by faith, Catholic schools seek to fulfil their mission of enabling each student to come into the fullness of their own humanity. This includes paying attention to the inherent dignity of children and young people, and their fundamental right to be respected, nurtured, and safeguarded by all.
Catholic education has done much to strengthen its wellbeing and protection environment and remains committed to continuous improvement and review of its policies.
The Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education Ltd (DOBCEL) requires that all staff are familiar with and enact the Child Safe Standards. We work closely with the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA), the Department of Education and Training (DET), the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH), and the Commission for Children and Young People (CCYP) to mitigate the risks of child abuse through the promotion and implementation of the Victorian Child Safe Standards and other relevant legislative obligations emanating from recommendations associated with the:
- Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
- Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into the Handling of Child Abuse by Religious and Other Organisations which culminated in the report titled Betrayal of Trust.
Policies and Guidelines
- DOBCEL and school policies and procedures have been developed to reflect recent Victorian legislation with respect to managing the risk of child abuse.
DOBCEL Policies and Procedures
Catholic schools must comply with legal obligations related to mandatory reporting and managing the risk of child abuse to ensure that all school policies and procedures are continually reviewed and updated to reflect Victorian legislative requirements. Mandatory reporting is a legal requirement under the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 (Vic) to protect children from harm relating to physical injury and sexual abuse.
The 11 Child Safe Standards
Click on the links below to see the minimum requirements, compliance indicators, a short video, and relevant resources for each Standard.
Standard 1
Organisations establish a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children and young people are respected and valued.
Click here for details about Child Safe Standard 1
Standard 2
Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture.
Click here for details about Child Safe Standard 2
Standard 3
Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.
Click here for details about Child Safe Standard 3
Standard 4
Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.
Click here for details about Child Safe Standard 4
Standard 5
Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice.
Click here for details about Child Safe Standard 5
Standard 6
People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice.
Click here for details about Child Safe Standard 6
Standard 7
Processes for complaints and concerns are child-focused.
Click here for details about Child Safe Standard 7
Standard 8
Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training.
Click here for details about Child Safe Standard 8
Standard 9
Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed.
Click here for details about Child Safe Standard 9
Standard 10
Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved.
Click here for details about Child Safe Standard 10
Standard 11
Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people.
Click here for details about Child Safe Standard 11
The links below provide further information on Child Safety and the Child Safe Standards:
- Victorian Government PROTECT
- Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA)
- Commission for Children and Young People
- Department of Families, Fairness and Housing
- Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
- Truth Justice and Healing Council
- Department of Justice and Community Safety.
Child Safety Contact
Jacinta Cook
Manager: Child Safety
E: jcook@dobcel.catholic.edu.au
M: 0409 114 268
Latest News
