St Thomas School, Terang

Child Safe

Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education Limited (DOBCEL) Board is committed to:

  • zero tolerance of child abuse;
  • listening to and empowering children and young people; and
  • keeping children and young people safe.

The DOBCEL Board maintains governance oversight of DOBCEL schools. DOBCEL Board, through its Office of Management, ensures that DOBCEL schools:

  • are safe for children and young people, and
  • are places where children and young people can flourish.

The DOBCEL Board has particular responsibilities for safeguarding of children and young people as required by the CHILD SAFE STANDARDS – MANAGING THE RISK OF CHILD ABUSE IN SCHOOLS Ministerial Order No. 870. This places accountability for managing the risk of child abuse with the DOBCEL Board. Consistent with MO870, the DOBCEL Board, requires schools governed by DOBCEL to have appropriate arrangements to regulate the conduct and decisions of school staff for the benefit of its students. These arrangements include implementing and complying with the DOBCEL Child Safe Policies and having clear and comprehensive procedures and reporting mechanisms.

Child Safe policy  View our Child Safe Policies.

New Child Safe Standards 1 July 2022.
DOBCEL Child Safety and Wellbeing: Information for Families and our School Communities

The Victorian Government has announced new Child Safe Standards to further strengthen child safety across organisations, including schools. The new standards recognise the critical importance of families and the broader school community in maintaining and promoting child safety and wellbeing.

DOBCEL has reviewed and updated our suite of child safety policies and procedures to ensure they meet the requirements of the new standards. These will be available to view early in Term Three.

We are committed to continuous improvement in our approach to child safety and wellbeing and welcome feedback from school staff, families and members of our school communities on ways we can further strengthen our child safety policies, procedures and practices.

Child Safety Contact

Jacqui Righetti
Manager: Safeguarding and Standards
E: jrighetti@dobcel.catholic.edu.au
M: 0409 114 268