Child Safety

Essendon North Primary School is committed to the safety and protection of all children. We have clear and explicit guidelines that detail the shared school community expectations for child protection and safety. We have all relevant documentation to articulate the actions to be taken when the safety of students is or potentially may be compromised. These are based on the recommendations of the Victorian Department of Education and Training (DET) from the Betrayal of Trust report and underpinned by the PROTECT Child Safe Standards. Ministerial Order 1359 provides the framework for child safety in schools and came into operation on 1 July 2022. It replaces Ministerial Order 870. 

ENPS Child Safety Documents

• ENPS Child Safety Policy
• ENPS Child Safety Responding and Reporting Obligations Policy and Procedures
• ENPS Child Safety Code of Conduct
• Four Critical Actions for Schools

For further information refer to: https://www.vic.gov.au/new-child-safe-standards-schools

Child Safe Standards

To create and maintain a child safe organisation, organisations must adhere to the Child Safe Standards minimum requirements:

• Establish a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children and young people are respected and valued.
• Ensure that child safety and wellbeing are embedded in school leadership, governance and culture.
• Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.
• Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.
• Equity is upheld and diverse needs are respected in policy and practice.
• People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice.
• Ensure that processes for complaints and concerns are child focused.
• Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training. 
• Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed.
• Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved.
• Policies and procedures that document how schools are safe for children, young people and students.

At ENPS we empower children to be active participants in our organisation. We involve them when making decisions, especially about matters that directly affect them. We listen to their views and respect their voices, choices, and perspectives. We are committed to diversity and inclusion, in and beyond our school context. At ENPS we aim to create an organisation that is diverse, fair and inclusive. All of our staff, service providers, contractors and volunteers must agree to abide by the Essendon North Primary School Child Safety Code of Conduct which specifies the standards of conduct required when working with children.