STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT TO CHILD SAFETY
Spotswood Primary School is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people. This will be the primary focus of our care and decision-making.
Spotswood Primary School has zero tolerance for child abuse.
Our school’s approach to creating and maintaining a child safe school environment is guided by our vision to create an environment ‘where everybody is somebody’. We support, challenge and empower all students to achieve their best academically, socially and emotionally by encouraging them to be risk takers and socially aware citizens. Our school values of Learning, Community and Safety are fundamental to our purpose and operation.
We are committed to providing a child safe environment where children and young people are safe and feel safe, and their voices are heard about decisions that affect their lives. Attention will be paid to the cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, children with disabilities and children who are vulnerable.
Every person involved in Spotswood Primary School has a responsibility to understand the important and specific role they play individually and collectively to ensure that the wellbeing and safety of all children and young people is at the forefront of all they do and every decision they make.
In its planning, decision-making and operations Spotswood Primary School will –
- Take a preventative, proactive and participatory approach to child safety by regular parent information sessions, newsletter articles, staff briefings and regular professional Learning;
- Value and empower children to participate in decisions which affect their lives;
- Foster a culture of openness that supports all persons to safely disclose risks of harm to children;
- Respect diversity in cultures and child rearing practices while keeping child safety paramount;
- Provide written guidance on appropriate conduct and behaviour towards children;
- Engage only the most suitable people to work with children and have high quality staff and volunteer supervision and professional development;
- Ensure children know who to talk with if they are worried or are feeling unsafe, and that they are comfortable and encouraged to raise such issues;
- 8. Report suspected abuse, neglect or mistreatment promptly to the appropriate authorities;
- Share information appropriately and lawfully with other organisations where the safety and wellbeing of children is at risk; and
- Value the input of and communicate regularly with families and carers.
This statement was reviewed in October 2019. It will be reviewed as part of the regular cycle of policy review and in response to Ministerial Order No: 870 Child Safe Standards. It may also be reviewed in advance of this date to reflect changes in legislation, DET initiatives and school-based review.
Approved by Principal: Jackie Green, October 2019
Child Safety Policy Documents
Please click on the links below to open the related policy document:
Child Safety Responding and Reporting Obligations Policy and Procedures
PROTECT – Identifying and Responding to all forms of child abuse in Victorian Schools