Child Safety Policies

Commitment to Child Safety

All children attending Preshil have a right to feel and be safe. The welfare of the children in our care will always be our priority and we have zero tolerance policy for child abuse. We aim to create a child-safe and child-friendly environment where children always feel safe. We promote positive relationships between students and adults and between students and their peers. These relationships are based on trust and respect. We take proactive steps to identify and manage any risk of harm to students in our school environment. When child safety concerns are raised or identified we treat these seriously and respond promptly and thoroughly.

Diversity and Inclusion @ Preshil

Particular attention is given to the child safety needs of First Nation students and their families, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, international students, students with disabilities, those unable to live at home, children and young people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) and other students experiencing risk or vulnerability. Inappropriate or harmful behaviour targeting students based on these or other characteristics, such as racism or homophobia, are not tolerated at our school, and any instances identified will be addressed with appropriate consequences. 

Child Safety Policies

Preshil is committed to the principles of cultural safety and inclusion of children from diverse backgrounds and to the safety and inclusion of children with disability, and we recognise that these principles support the safety of all children. The School has developed policies and procedures to respond to  Ministerial Order 1359 Implementing the Child Safe Standards – Managing the risk of child abuse in schools and school boarding premises.  

Preshil has nominated the following members of the Leadership Team as Student Safety Officers: the Human Resources Compliance Manager, the Heads of Campus, the Director of Kindergarten, the Inclusive Education Leader, the Student Youth Worker and the School Counsellor.

Child Protection policies and other related policies are listed below.

• 2023 Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy
• 2023 Child Safety Code of Conduct
• 2023 Dress Code Guidelines
• 2023 Responding to Student Safety Concerns – Reporting Obligations
• 2023 Staff and Student Professional Boundaries
• 2023 School Staff Recruitment Policy
• 2023 Student Safety Definition Document

PROTECT

The Victorian Government is committed to the safety and well-being of all children and young people. The following links support school staff to identify and respond to all forms of abuse in Victorian Schools and Early Childhood Services. It is recommended that if you are making a report to Child Protection you use the templates below.

• Identifying and Responding to all Forms of Abuse in Victorian Schools
• Four Critical Actions for Schools – Responding to Incidents, Disclosures, and Suspicions of Child Abuse
• Responding to Suspected Child Abuse: A Template for All Victorian Schools
• Identifying and Responding to Student Sexual Offending
• Four Critical Actions for Schools – Responding to Student Sexual Offending
• Responding to Student Sexual Offending: A Template for all Victorian Schools
• Responding to Suspected Child Abuse: Template for all Victorian Early Childhood Services

VIT Code of Conduct

• Victorian Teaching Profession’s Code of Conduct (VIT)
• Victorian Teaching Profession’s Code of Ethics (VIT)