Child Safe

BELLE VUE PRIMARY SCHOOL’S COMMITTMENT TO CHILD SAFETY

Belle Vue PS is a child safe organisation which welcomes all children, young people and their families.

We have no tolerance for child abuse and take proactive steps to identify and manage any risks of harm to students in our school environment.

We are committed to providing environments where our students are safe where their participation is valued, their views respected, and their voices are heard about decisions that affect their lives. Particular attention will be paid to the cultural safety of Aboriginal children and children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, as well as the safety of children with a disability. Our child safe policies, strategies and practices are inclusive of the needs of all students.

Child safety is a shared responsibility. Every person involved in our school has an important role in promoting child safety and wellbeing and promptly raising any issues or concerns about a child’s safety.

We are committed to regularly reviewing our child safe practices, and seeking input from our students, families, staff, and volunteers to inform our ongoing strategies.

Our school acknowledges we are required to take reasonable precautions to prevent the abuse of a child by an individual associated with the organisation while the child is under the care, supervision or authority of the organisation.

In its planning, decision-making and operations, Belle Vue Primary School will:

• 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 across all levels of school leadership, governance and culture.
• Empower students to participate in decisions affecting them.
• Engage families and communities to promote child safety and wellbeing.
• Ensure equity is upheld and diverse needs are respected both in policy and practice.
• Ensure that all members of the community working with children are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing practice.
• Ensure that processes for complaints are child focused.
• Provide all staff and volunteers with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children safe.
• Promote safety and wellbeing in both physical and online environments.
• Regularly review our child safe practices and policies and improve as required.
• Implement child safe practices.
• Share information appropriately and lawfully with other organisations where the safety and wellbeing of children is at risk.
• Ensure children know who to talk with if they are worried or are feeling unsafe, and that they are comfortable and encouraged to raise such issues.
• Report suspected abuse, neglect or mistreatment promptly to the appropriate authorities.