In August 2016, a set of seven Child Safe Standards from Ministerial Order No. 870 – Child Safe Standards – Managing the risk of child abuse in schools (MO 870) came into effect in Victorian schools. This was as a result of the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into the Handling of Child Abuse by Religious and Other Organisations.
MO 870 brought into sharp focus the need to keep child safety at the forefront of system and school policy and practice, with zero tolerance for any adult behaviour which may pose a risk to the safety of children and young people.
In light of the release of the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations (AHRC 2018), the Victorian Government expanded and made changes to the Child Safe Standards. On 1 July 2021 the Government announced 11 new Child Safe Standards in Victoria to bring about greater national consistency in relation to child safety. Ministerial Order No. 1359 – Implementing the Child Safe Standards – managing the risk of child abuse in schools and school boarding premises (MO 1359) was released in February 2022.
The Child Safe Standards outlined in MO 1359 come into effect on 1 July 2022 in all Victorian schools. Schools will transition from the current seven Standards to the new 11 Standards, and MO 870 will no longer apply.
The new Child Safe Standards as set out in MO 1359 are as follows:
- Culturally safe environments – 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.
- Leadership, governance and culture – Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture.
- Child and student empowerment – Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.
- Family engagement – Families and communities are informed, and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.
- Diversity and equity – Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice.
- Suitable staff and volunteers – People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice.
- Complaints processes – Processes for complaints and concerns are child focused.
- Child safety knowledge, skills and awareness – Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training.
- Child safety in physical and online environments – Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed.
- Review of child safety practices – Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved.
- Implementation of child safety practices – Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people.
