Child Safe Code
The new Child Safe Standards set out minimum requirements to keep children and young people safe.
About
New Child Safe Standards to strengthen child safety will commence in Victoria on 1 July 2022 The Child Safe Standards (the Standards) commenced in Victoria in January 2016. After five years, we have seen how the Standards improve safety for children and young people.
Changes are being made to make our Standards even stronger. Organisations covered by the Standards will need to comply with new Standards by 1 July 2022.
The new Standards set out minimum requirements and outline the actions organisations must take to keep children and young people safe. They provide more clarity for organisations and are more consistent with Standards in the rest of Australia.
The things organisations already do to keep children and young people safe will help them be compliant with the new Standards. In some areas, organisations will need to change or develop their current child safety policy, practices and organisational culture to meet the new Standards.
Further information and guidance will be provided by the Commission and other regulators over the coming months to help organisations move to the new Standards by 1 July 2022.
© Australian Human Rights Commission 2018.
© Australian Human Rights Commission 2018.
What are the Standards?
Standard 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.
Standard 2
Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture.
Standard 3
Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.
Standard 4
Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.
Standard 5
Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice.
Standard 6
People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice.
Standard 7
Processes for complaints and concerns are child-focused.
Standard 8
Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training.
Standard 9
Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed.
Standard 10
Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved.
Standard 11
Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people.