We commit to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people enrolled in our school.

We commit to providing children and young people with positive and nurturing experiences.

 

At St. Justin’s we hold the care, safety and wellbeing of children and young people as a central and fundamental responsibility of our school. Our commitment is drawn from and inherent in the teaching and mission of Jesus Christ, with love, justice and the sanctity of each human person at the heart of the gospel.

 

In accordance to Ministerial Order No. 1359 and the mandated Child Safe Standards, St Justin’s makes child safety a priority and has developed policy that applies to all school staff, including school employees, volunteers, contractors and clergy.

 

The care, safety and wellbeing of children and young people is fundamental to Catholic education. We commit to providing a safe and nurturing culture for all children and young people in Victorian Catholic school through:

• Upholding the primacy of the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.

• Empowering families, children, young people and staff to have a voice and raise concerns.

• Implementing rigorous risk-management and employment practices.

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St Justin’s Parish Primary school School Child Safety Strategy includes eleven Child Safe Standards, but is not limited to the:

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;

2. Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture;

3. Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously;

4. Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing;

5. Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice;

6. People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice;

7. Processes for complaints and concerns are child-focused;

8. Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training;

9. Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed:

10. Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved;

11. Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people.

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The following principles underpin our commitment to child safety at St Justin’s Parish Primary School:

• All students deserve, as a fundamental right, safety and protection from all forms of abuse and neglect.

• Our school works in partnership with families and the community to ensure that they are engaged in decision-making processes, particularly those that have an impact on child safety and protection.

• All students have the right to a thorough and systematic education in all aspects of personal safety, in partnership with their parents/guardians/caregivers.

• All adults in our school, including teaching and non-teaching staff, clergy, volunteers, and contractors, have a responsibility to care for children and young people, to positively promote their wellbeing and to protect them from any kind of harm or abuse.

• The policies, guidelines and codes of conduct for the care, wellbeing and protection of students are based on honest, respectful and trusting relationships between adults and children and young people.

• Policies and practices demonstrate compliance with legislative requirements and cooperation with the Church, governments, the police and human services agencies.

• All persons involved in situations where harm is suspected or disclosed must be treated with sensitivity, dignity and respect.

• Staff, clergy, volunteers, contractors, parents and students should feel free to raise concerns about child safety, knowing these will be taken seriously by school leadership.

• Appropriate confidentiality will be maintained, with information being provided to those who have a right or a need to be informed, either legally or pastorally.