Diversity and equity

There are many actions schools may use to address this standard. To get started, review the example actions.

Talk to families and students when developing these policies if it is safe, reasonable and appropriate to do so.

Schools can use these templates to develop the policies:

All schools

• Child safety wellbeing policy guidance (DOCX, 448KB)

Government schools:

• Student wellbeing and engagement policy (login required)
• Bullying prevention policy template (login required)

Use this checklist to make sure your school is doing everything required to comply with this standard:

• Government schools: Child Safety Action List (DOCX, 110KB)
• Non-government schools: Child Safety Action List (DOCX, 384KB)

Schools must review their child safety and wellbeing policies:

• after any significant child safety incident
• at least once every 2 years.

• Notice the different needs in your school community, including:
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
  • students with disability
  • students from different religious and cultural communities
  • very young children
  • students who have experienced trauma
  • gender-diverse or LGBTIQA+ students
  • students in foster or out-of-home care
  • international students
  • students who are pregnant or parents
  • students facing poverty, homelessness or isolation.
• Notice students who may be at higher risk of harm.
• Ask for and use students’ correct names and pronouns.
• Use examples that respect all cultures when talking about families, relationships or work.

• Make it clear that discrimination and bullying are not tolerated.
• Respond to incidents using school policy.
• Tell students they can raise concerns or report incidents at school and elsewhere.
• Check in with vulnerable students and families.
• Ask students what they need to feel safe and listen to their feelings.
• Offer buddy or mentoring programs for students who may feel alone.
• Respect students’ wishes about keeping information private.
• Share information when required - such as, if a student is at serious risk.
• Take a holistic approach when responding to family violence.
• Respond to family violence in ways that are safe, inclusive, and respectful.

• Make your school a welcoming and inclusive place:
  • display cultural flags
  • provide materials in different languages
  • decorate the school with student artwork.
• Provide child safety information in language and formats that are suitable for children.
• Share extra support materials to help families understand child safety information.
• Plan for students who may not feel confident asking for what they need.
• Train staff and volunteers to notice and respond to racism, bullying and discrimination.
• Remind staff and volunteers about diversity, and the importance of supporting students' needs.
• Ask experts for help if needed, like therapists or specialist services.

• Recognise dates that connect with your school community, for example:
  • Cultural Diversity Week (March)
  • Hearing Awareness Week (1–7 March)
  • IDAHOBIT (International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia, 17 May)
  • National Reconciliation Week (27 May–3 June)
  • Crazy Hair Day (Cystic Fibrosis Awareness, 26 July)
  • World Mental Health Day (10 October)
  • International Day of Persons with Disability (3 December)
• Use classroom resources and activities that show diverse perspectives.
• Show images of diverse students in school communications.

• Accessible Buildings Program
• Child and Family Violence Information Sharing Schemes
• Child protection privacy and information sharing
• Family violence support
• Flexible Learning Options (FLOs)
• Health care needs
• Inclusive student voice toolkit
• Individual Education Plans (IEPs)
• Information sharing and family violence reforms: guidance and tools
• Koorie Education
• LGBTIQA+ student support
• LOOKOUT Education Support Centres
• Mental health in schools
• Privacy and information sharing policy
• Safe Schools
• Schools Mental Health Menu
• Student Resource Package (SRP) – equity funding
• Student support groups
• Students absconding or going missing from school
• Students with disability
• Supporting students in out-of-home care
• Teaching and learning resources – selecting appropriate materials
• The Navigator program
• Young carers – identification and support
• Youth justice – additional support for young people

• Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority – Child Safe Standards
• Catholic Education Commission of Victoria – Child Safety
• Independent Schools Victoria

• Bully Stoppers
• Protecting children: Mandatory reporting and other obligations eLearning modules
• Safe Schools
• Inclusive classrooms professional learning - Victorian Deaf Education Institute
• Statewide Vision Resource Centre

• Building belonging: A toolkit for early childhood educators - Australian Human Rights Commission
• Resources for teachers - Australian Human Rights Commission
• I CAN Network
• Language guide by People with Disability Australia
• LGBTIQ+ Inclusive Language Guide - Victorian Government
• Pride in our future: Victoria’s LGBTIQ+ strategy 2022–32 - Victorian Government
• Reconciliation Action Plan - Demonstrating inclusive and respectful language - good practice guide
• Learning in intercultural capability - Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority