Child Safe Standards

Our Commitment to Child Safety

Oakleigh Primary School is a child safe organisation which welcomes all children, young people and their families.

We are dedicated to ensuring that our school is a secure and nurturing environment for all students. We place a high value on each child's wellbeing, seeking to make their educational journey safe, enjoyable, and respectful of their individuality. Our comprehensive policies and procedures prioritise the safety and inclusivity of all students, considering their unique needs.

We have no tolerance for child abuse and take proactive steps to identify and manage any risks of harm to students in our school environments.

Encouraging positive relationships is a key focus, promoting friendship, kindness, and respect among students and between students and staff.

Should any concerns arise regarding a child's wellbeing, we take prompt and thorough action. We pay special attention to the safety of children with diverse backgrounds, abilities, or those who may feel different for any reason.

Ensuring a safe school environment is a collective effort that involves teachers, students, and parents alike. We regularly assess and improve our safety measures, actively seeking input from parents, teachers, and others involved in our school community to enhance our strategies and practices.

The eleven Child Safe Standards, stated in Ministerial Order 1359, guide our approach to child safety. These are outlined below.

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.

Standard 2 – Ensure that child safety and wellbeing are embedded in school leadership, governance and culture.

Standard 3 – Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.

Standard 4 – Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.

Standard 5 – Equity is upheld and diverse needs are respected in policy and practice.

Standard 6 – People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice.

Standard 7 – Ensure that processes for complaints and concerns are child focused.

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.

Standard 9 – Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed.

Standard 10 – Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved.

Standard 11 – Policies and procedures that document how schools are safe for children, young people and students.