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Schools - guidance

Best practice advice for applying the new Child Safe Standards to better protect children and young people in all organisations that work with children.

On this page:

The new standards come into effect on 1 July 2022.

Schools must update their child safety strategies, policies, and practices by 1 July to comply with the new standards.

Ministerial Order 1359 provides the framework for child safety in schools.

New Child Safe Standards

Schools - culturally safe environments guidance

Guidance on Child Safe Standard 1: Establish a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children and young people are respected and valued.

Schools - leadership, governance and culture guidance

Guidance on Child Safe Standard 2: Ensure that child safety and wellbeing are embedded in school leadership, governance and culture.

Schools - child and student empowerment guidance

Guidance on Child Safe Standard 3: Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.

Schools - family engagement guidance

Guidance on Child Safe Standard 4: Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.

Schools - diversity and equity guidance

Guidance on Child Safe Standard 5: Equity is upheld and diverse needs are respected in policy and practice.

Schools - suitable staff and volunteers guidance

Guidance on Child Safe Standard 6: People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice.

Schools - complaints processes guidance

Guidance on Child Safe Standard 7: Ensure that processes for complaints and concerns are child focused.

Schools - child safety knowledge, skills and awareness guidance

Guidance on Child Safe Standard 8: Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training.

Schools - child safety in physical and online environments guidance

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

Schools - review of child safety practices guidance

Guidance on Child Safe Standard 10: Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved.

Schools - implementation of child safety practices guidance

Guidance on Child Safe Standard 11: Policies and procedures that document how schools are safe for children, young people and students.

Templates and resources

Child Safe Standards templates and resources

Further information and downloadable resources to meet the Child Safe Standards for schools.

Reviewed 06 December 2022

Child Safe Standards

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