St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School holds the care, safety and wellbeing of children and young people as a central and fundamental responsibility of Catholic education. This commitment is drawn from and inherent to the teaching and mission of Jesus Christ, with love, justice and the sanctity of each human person at the heart of the Gospel.

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School has a universal expectation for the protection of children. It is resolutely committed to ensuring that all those engaged in Catholic education in Victoria promote the inherent dignity of children and young people and their fundamental right to be respected and nurtured in a safe school environment. This is particularly so for the most vulnerable children, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, and children with a disability.

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School has a moral, legal and mission-driven responsibility to create nurturing school environments where children and young people are respected, their voices are heard and where they are safe and feel safe.

When allegations of abuse concerning children and young people are raised, St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School will take prompt action to have these appropriately referred and investigated. St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School will strive for continual improvement that is responsive to emerging thinking, evidence and practice, so as to eliminate the possibility of abuse occurring in the first place.

Creating child-safe school environments is a dynamic process that involves active participation and responsibility by schools, families and their communities. It is marked by collaboration, vigilance and proactive approaches across policies, procedures, curriculum and practices.

Every person involved in education at St Joseph’s Catholic 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.

References:

Catholic Education Commission Victoria (CECV) 2016, Commitment Statement to Child Safety

Victoria, Department of Education and Training 2016, Child Safe Standards – Managing the Risk of Child Abuse in Schools Ministerial Order No. 870.

Our current Child Safety Officers are Michelle Moore (Principal) and Faye Forbes (Learning Diversity and Student Wellbeing Leader).

The following list includes a brief outline of the policies, procedures and practices that reinforce our commitment to the safety of all children within our community:

• Child Safety Policy
• Child Safety Policy (student version, written by members of the 2021 Student Representative Council and ratified by the 2021 Year 6 students)
• Safeguarding Children and Young People Code of Conduct
• Privacy Policy
• Standard Collection Notice Policy
• Fortnightly meeting of the Child Safety team.
• Child Protection and Reporting Obligations Policy and Procedures, including the 'Protect Protocol'
• Termly child safety professional development
• Hiring and induction processes with an emphasis on child safety
• Parent and Visitor School Engagement Policy
• Acceptable Behaviour Policy
• Volunteer and Visitor Policy
• Complaints and Grievances Policy
• Cyber Safety Policy
• Child Safety Commitment Statement
• Student internet safety policy and user agreement
• Employment and Recruitment Policy
• Electronic and Mobile Devices Policy
• Passtab Sign in with immediate online Working With Children Checks
• Daily Gate Duty before and after school
• St Joseph's is a member of the eSmart Schools
• All staff Level 2 First Aid 
• Termly staff anaphylaxis refresher
• Termly safety component of the 'Personal and Social Capability' from the Victorian Curriculum
• All staff complete the Mandatory Reporting unit and associated modules each year
• Inclusion of Child Safety teaching activities in SEL Curriculum
• Parish Priest, Staff, volunteers and contracted external service providers to sign off on the code of conduct
• We subscribe to the 'SafeSmart' portal to track and monitor child safety policies, procedures and professional development
• Enrolment packs inclusive with Child Safety policies and guidelines
• Child safety is a standing item on the School Advisory Council meeting agenda