St Peter's Kindergarten is a Child Safe Environment and we work to ensure the safety of all children and staff. Learn More
Our Commitment to Child Safety
Child Safety Statement
St Peter’s Kindergarten is committed to child safety.
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We want children to be safe, happy and empowered.
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We support and respect all children, as well as our staff and volunteers.
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We are committed to the safety, participation and empowerment of all children.
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We have zero tolerance of child abuse, and all allegations and safety concerns will be treated very seriously and consistently with our robust policies and procedures.
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We have legal and moral obligations to contact authorities when we are worried about a child’s safety, which we follow rigorously.
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St Peter’s Kindergarten is committed to preventing child abuse and identifying risks early, and removing and reducing these risks.
St Peter’s Kindergarten has robust human resources and recruitment practices to reduce the risk of child abuse by new and existing board members, staff and volunteers.
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St Peter’s Kindergarten is committed to regularly training and educating our board members, staff and volunteers on child abuse risks.
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We are committed to the cultural safety of Aboriginal children, the cultural safety of children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, and to providing a safe environment for children with a disability.
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We have specific policies and procedures in place that support our board members, staff and volunteers to achieve these commitments.
Child Safe Standards
Why do we need Child Safe Standards?
The Standards exist to prevent child abuse and harm from happening in organisations.
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What do the Standards aim to achieve?
The Standards aim to promote the safety of children, prevent child abuse, and ensure organisations have effective processes in place to respond to and report all allegations of child abuse.
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How do the Child Safe Standards protect my child?
The Standards require organisations to take actions in a range of areas, including:
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background and suitability checks of staff and volunteers
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codes of conduct for staff and volunteers
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training and supervision of staff and volunteers
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documented risk assessments for activities
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clear procedures for reporting and acting on any concerns or allegations
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commitment to listening to children and encouraging them to speak up if they don’t feel safe
The 11 Child Safe Standards
Standard 1
Organisations establish a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children and young people are respected and valued.
For more details about Child Safe Standard 1 click below
https://ccyp.vic.gov.au/child-safe-standards/the-11-child-safe-standards/standard-1/
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Standard 2
Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture.
For more details about Child Safe Standard 2 click below
https://ccyp.vic.gov.au/child-safe-standards/the-11-child-safe-standards/standard-2/
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Standard 3
Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.
For more details about Child Safe Standard 3 click below
https://ccyp.vic.gov.au/child-safe-standards/the-11-child-safe-standards/standard-3/
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Standard 4
Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.
For more details about Child Safe Standard 4 click below
https://ccyp.vic.gov.au/child-safe-standards/the-11-child-safe-standards/standard-4/
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Standard 5
Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice.
For more details about Child Safe Standard 5 click below
https://ccyp.vic.gov.au/child-safe-standards/the-11-child-safe-standards/standard-5/
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Standard 6
People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice.
For more details about Child Safe Standard 6 click below
https://ccyp.vic.gov.au/child-safe-standards/the-11-child-safe-standards/standard-6/
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Standard 7
Processes for complaints and concerns are child-focused.
For more details about Child Safe Standard 7 click below
https://ccyp.vic.gov.au/child-safe-standards/the-11-child-safe-standards/standard-7/
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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.
For more details about Child Safe Standard 8 click below
https://ccyp.vic.gov.au/child-safe-standards/the-11-child-safe-standards/standard-8/
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Standard 9
Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed.
For more details about Child Safe Standard 9 click below
https://ccyp.vic.gov.au/child-safe-standards/the-11-child-safe-standards/standard-9/
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Standard 10
Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved.
For more details about Child Safe Standard 10 click below
https://ccyp.vic.gov.au/child-safe-standards/the-11-child-safe-standards/standard-10/
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Standard 11
Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people.
For more details about Child Safe Standard 11 see below
https://ccyp.vic.gov.au/child-safe-standards/the-11-child-safe-standards/standard-11/
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A Short guide to the Child Safe Standards
https://ccyp.vic.gov.au/resources/child-safe-standards/#CSS_ShortGuide
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Translated resources about the Child Safe Standards (available in various languages)
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Information sheet for Parents/Carers
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Tips to teach your child how to keep themselves safe
https://ccyp.vic.gov.au/assets/resources/tipsheet-teach-child-keep-safe.pdf
Contact the Commission for further information or to talk about the Child Safe Standards and Reportable Conduct Scheme:
Telephone 1300 782 978 or (03) 8601 5281
Email contact@ccyp.vic.gov.au
Visit the Commission’s website: www.ccyp.vic.gov.au
What is the Reportable Conduct Scheme?
The Victorian Reportable Conduct Scheme seeks to improve organisations’ responses to allegations of child abuse and neglect by their workers and volunteers. The scheme is established by the Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 (the Act).
The Commission for Children and Young People (CCYP) is responsible for administering the scheme
The Reportable Conduct Scheme has been designed to ensure that the Commission will be aware of every allegation of certain types of misconduct involving children in relevant organisations that exercise care, supervision and authority over children.
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Links to useful resources
St Peter's Kindergarten’s Child Safe Environment Policy (add link to this)
St Peter's Kindergarten’s Code of Conduct Policy (add link to this)
Commission for Children and Young People (CCYP) website
Empowerment and Participation Guide (CCYP) https://ccyp.vic.gov.au/assets/resources/Empowerment-and-Participation-Guide/CCYP-Empowerment-and-participation-guide-for-web.pdf
The 11 Child Safe Standards
https://ccyp.vic.gov.au/child-safe-standards/the-11-child-safe-standards/
Reportable Conduct Scheme
https://ccyp.vic.gov.au/reportable-conduct-scheme/
MARAM Information Sharing Scheme
https://www.vic.gov.au/information-sharing-schemes-and-the-maram-framework