RTOs - family engagement

About the Standard

This Standard creates specific obligations for RTOs to involve families and communities in promoting child safety.

RTOs must ensure that they:

seek the input of families and communities in decisions impacting children
involve families and communities when they develop and review their child safe policies and practices
communicate effectively with families and communities about:
- how to raise concerns about child safety
- how the RTO operates
take the diversity of families into account
act to reduce barriers to inclusion.

An RTO must be able to provide evidence of:

a commitment in the RTO’s policies and communication resources to the importance of involving families and communities in decisions affecting students that are children
transparent and accessible information and engagement processes for families and communities
how it consults with or asks families, carers and the community to participate in decisions affecting students who are children
how it consults with families, carers and the community about the RTO's child safe governance.

An RTO complying with this Standard may have:

website publication of the policies and communication resources that commit to involve families and communities in decisions affecting students that are children
communication or engagement resources that include information on the importance of involving families and communities regarding decisions affecting students that are children
a business plan or strategy that details the RTO's activities relating to the engagement of the families and communities of its students who are children
student support services and resources that focus on the role of families and communities in supporting children.

In complying with Child Safe Standard 4, an organisation must, at a minimum, ensure:
- families participate in decisions affecting their child
- the organisation engages and openly communicates with families and the community about its child safe approach and relevant information is accessible
- families and communities have a say in the development and review of the organisation’s policies and practices
- families, carers and the community are informed about the organisation’s operations and governance.
- The Commission for Children and Young People (CCYP)(opens in a new window) — provides resources and support for the Child Safe Standards including a 'Guide for creating a Child Safe Organisation' which recommends involving families and communities as best practice.

Updated 24 June 2022