24 AugResources to support the implementation of the Child Safe Standards
Victoria’s Child Safe Standards are a set of mandatory requirements to protect children and young people from harm and abuse. From July 1, 2022, eleven new Child Safe Standards replaced Victoria’s existing seven standards. The new Standards are consistent with the National Child Standards and set out minimum requirements and outline the actions organisations must take to keep children and young people safe.
Key changes to the standards include new requirements:
- to involve families and communities in organisations’ efforts to keep children and young people safe
- for a greater focus on safety for Aboriginal children and young people
- to manage the risk of child abuse in online environments
- for greater clarity on the governance, systems and processes to keep children and young people safe.
There are a number of different regulators for the Standards in Victoria. Currently, the Commission of Children and Young People (CCYP) has powers to regulate all organisations that have to comply with the Standards and works together with other regulators to do this. The Quality Assessment and Regulation Division (QARD) in the Department of Education and Training, is the regulator for Early Childhood Education and Care providers.
If your service is familiar with the current Standards or you are looking for more detailed information, you can access ELAA’s recent Child Safe Standards Forum recording for an update on what Victorian ECEC service leaders need to know and do regarding the Standards – click here
You can also access the presentation here, this includes links to resources and useful information.
The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing has also released a Child Safe Standards assessment tool template that can be helpful tool in the implementation of the Standards within your service.
