Safe School

Footscray High School is proudly a Child Safe environment.

Every adult who accesses our school is subject to a rigorous Child Safe Code of Conduct.

Victoria’s Child Safe Standards are a set of mandatory requirements to protect children and young people from harm and abuse.

The Child Safe Standards (the Standards) commenced in Victoria in January 2016.  Changes have been made to make our Standards even stronger. The new Child Safe Standards came into force on 1 July 2022.

The Victorian DET and VRQA define the Child Safe Standards:

1. 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
2. Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture
3. Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously
4. Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing
5. Equity is upheld and diverse needs are respected in policy and practice
6. People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice
7. Ensure that processes for complaints and concerns are child focused
8. Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training
9. Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed
10. Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved
11. Policies and procedures that document how schools are safe for children, young people and students

The needs of all students are considered when addressing these standards, in particular for students with disabilities, and those from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander or culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Please read the following key documents for further information: