Child Safety


Central to the vision of Our Lady of the Southern Cross is an unequivocal commitment to recognise the central place of faith and Gospel values in the way we interact with each other, value the individuality of each child and aspire to be a healthy, happy learning community that fosters rich and lasting relationships.

 

All staff, volunteers, contractors, clergy and board/school council members at Our Lady of the Southern Cross are expected to actively contribute to a school culture that respects the dignity of its members and affirms the Gospel values of love, care for others, compassion and justice. They are required to observe child safe principles and expectations for appropriate behaviour towards and in the company of children. 
Child Safe Standards

In July 2021, the Victorian Government announced new Child Safe Standards to further strengthen child safe environments and protect  children from abuse. 

Standard 1: Culturally safe environments

Schools must establish a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children, young people and students are respected and valued

Standard 2: Leadership, governance and culture

Schools must ensure that child safety and wellbeing is embedded in school leadership, governance and culture

Standard 3: Child and student empowerment

Schools must ensure that children, young people and students are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously

Standard 4: Family engagement

Schools must ensure that families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing

Standard 5: Diversity and equity

Schools must ensure that equity is upheld, and diverse needs respected in policy and practice

Standard 6: Suitable staff and volunteers

Schools must ensure that people working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice

Standard 7: Complaints processes

Schools must ensure that processes for complaints and concerns are child focused

Standard 8: Safety knowledge, skills, awareness

Schools must ensure that staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training

Standard 9: Physical and online environments

Schools must ensure that physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children, young people and students to be harmed

Standard 10: Review of child safety practices

Schools must ensure that implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved

 

Child Safe Policies