Child safe standards
West Wimmera Shire Council is committed to:
Protecting all children in the West Wimmera Shire Council, including -
- Children of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent
- Children of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
- Children with a disability
- Have robust policies, procedures and code of conducts in place to protect children in their care and educational services
- Understand child abuse reporting processes and respond promptly
- Have safeguards to protect children, staff, volunteers and the organisation
- Have clearly stated boundaries of roles between staff and children
- Extensive screening processes and comprehensive induction and probation practices
- Employ staff who are adequately trained and supervised
- Promote cultural safety and inclusion for the best interests of the child
- Strategies to reduce and remove risk of child abuse
- Conducting regular child safety review audits and action plans to identify gaps in policy and procedures
- Maintain a risk management plan for the prevention of child abuse
- Child safety being included in important Council documents and reports via social communications
- Raising awareness about child abuse and child rights in media
- Have an appointed Child Safety Officer (Early Years Coordinator Nikki Hollis, 13 WWSC) who is appropriately trained in mandatory reporting
- Promoting the rights of the child
- A supportive culture for all children's safety
- Zero tolerance of child abuse
- Providing children with information regarding safety to enable and encourage them to express their views
Public commitment to the cultural safety of Aboriginal children
West wimmera Shire Council is committed to the cultural safety of Aboriginal children. We are committed to:
- Actively supporting and facilitating participation and inclusion of Aboriginal children, young people and their families within our service.
- The safety, participation and empowerment of Aboriginal children
- Providing an educational program that strengthens Aboriginal children's culture and identity
- Actively support and encouraging Aboriginal children to express their culture and enjoy their cultural rights
- Supporting Aboriginal children and their families to identify as Aboriginal without fear of retribution or questioning
- Supporting Aboriginal children to maintain connection to their kinship ties, land and country
- Supporting Aboriginal children to be taught their cultural heritage by Elders
- Facilitating regular training and education on Aboriginal cultural and cultural safety
- Establishing policies, procedures, systems and processes to create a culturally safe and inclusive environment and meet the needs of Aboriginal children, young people and their families.
This statement was reviewed by Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Incorporated.
More information about the Child Safe Standards and the Reportable Conduct Scheme are available at the following Department of Education and Training links:
The Child Safe Standards
The Child Safe Standards - Commission for Children and Young People
Online safety | eSafety Commissioner