STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT TO CHILD SAFETY

Stawell West Primary School is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people. This will be the primary focus of our care and decision-making.

Stawell West Primary School has zero tolerance for child abuse.

Stawell West Primary School is committed to providing a child safe environment where children and young people are safe and feel safe, and their voices are heard about decisions that affect their lives. Particular attention will be paid to the cultural safety of Aboriginal children and children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, as well as the safety of children with a disability.

Every person involved in Stawell West Primary School has a responsibility to understand the important and specific role he/she plays individually and collectively to ensure that the wellbeing and safety of all children and young people is at the forefront of all they do and every decision they make.

Stawell West Primary School’s principles for child safety:

In its planning, decision-making and operations Stawell West Primary School will;

1. Take a preventative, proactive and participatory approach to child safety
2. Value and empower children to participate in decisions which affect their lives
3. Foster a culture of openness that supports all persons to safely disclose risks of harm to children
4. Respect diversity in cultures and child rearing practices while keeping child safety paramount
5. Provide written guidance on appropriate conduct and behaviour towards children
6. Engage only the most suitable people to work with children and have high quality staff and volunteer supervision and professional development
7. Ensure children know who to talk with if they are worried or are feeling unsafe, and that they are comfortable and encouraged to raise such issues
8. Report suspected abuse, neglect or mistreatment promptly to the appropriate authorities
9. Share information appropriately and lawfully with other organisations where the safety and wellbeing of children is at risk
10. If you have any suggestions, comments or questions, please contact the office on 03 5358 1661.  We welcome your feedback
11. Review the school’s approach to Child Safety and ensure that we continually inform the school community of developments; and
12. Review the Implementation of the Child Safe Standards annually (December)