How Catholic Schools are creating cultures of Child Safety for our children

CSPV recently attended a breakfast forum to learn from the Commissioner for Children and Young People (CCYP), Liana Buchanan, how far our schools have progressed with Child Safety and implementing the Child Safe Standards. Liana discussed how schools have performed in meeting the accreditation standards, but also shared we still have a long way to go when it comes to developing a whole school and community approach to a culture of child safety. 

CSPV are exploring opportunities with Liana and the CCYP, along with Catholic Education Melbourne in how we can provide further support for parents in understanding the Child Safe Standards and what the parent role is in working with the school to create a culture of safety. Along with a shared responsibility in a school context, we are exploring how to support parents with resources they can use in their homes with their children, to have important conversations about child safety and providing children with opportunities to ask questions and know who to turn to if they feel unsafe. 

Click on the video above to learn more about how Catholic schools across Victoria are working with students to ensure they are safe in their learning environments at school. With a focus on Standard 7 of the Child Safe Standards; Strategies to promote participation and empowerment of children, many students are enabled to feel they can speak up and learn what is safe and what is not.