Guidance for child safety champions

Schools can nominate a senior staff member as a child safety champion to support child safety.

Child safety champions

Schools can nominate a senior staff member as a child safety champion to support child safety. In large or multi-campus schools, more than one child safety champion can be nominated.

Child safety champions must have the status and authority to work with and influence others.

The role:

requires knowledge and professional judgement on child safety and wellbeing
needs support through ongoing training and mentoring
might be a suitable development opportunity for aspiring school leaders.

Key responsibilities

Child safety champions work with the school leadership team, teachers, students, volunteers and the school community to create a child safe environment in the school.

Promote child safety culture

Promote child safety and wellbeing. For example, at staff and parent meetings, through newsletters and staff bulletins.
Ensure the school’s child safety policies and procedures:

are current and fit for purpose
are publicly accessible
are known and implemented.

Promote a culture of listening to students and families and acting on their child safety concerns.
Support staff and volunteers to focus on the child safety needs of vulnerable students.

Provide support and guidance

Be a point of contact for child safety concerns for staff, volunteers and students.
Provide guidance to students, staff and volunteers on child safety policies and procedures.
Work with school leadership to respond to child safety incidents.
Maintain current skills and knowledge to support child safety and wellbeing, including:

child-focused complaint processes, reporting obligations and the Four Critical Actions
student rights, participation and empowerment
Aboriginal cultural safety and inclusive practices to meet students diverse needs
child safety risk management including online safety
child safety information sharing and record-keeping obligations
working with relevant agencies to refer students and families to appropriate support
keeping across emerging research and best practice guidance in child safety and wellbeing.

Train and educate

Provide child safety induction programs for new:

school staff
volunteers
school council members.

Provide child safety training for:

school staff
volunteers
school council members.

Ensure mandatory reporters complete the annual mandatory reporting training.
Provide child safety updates and information to staff and volunteers, as needed.

Monitor, review and report

Record child safety complaints and concerns and analyse trends, as needed.
Coordinate reviews following significant safety incidents and recommend improvements.
Maintain the school’s child safety risk register with the school leadership team.
Coordinate child safety policy and practice reviews in consultation with the school community.
Maintain detailed, accurate, secure written records of concerns and referrals.

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Guidance for child safety champions

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Child safety champions

Key responsibilities

Promote child safety culture

Provide support and guidance

Train and educate

Monitor, review and report

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