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.
How to comply
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.
Examples of compliance
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.
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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.
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- The Commission for Children and Young — 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.
Reviewed 24 June 2022