Child Safety
To demonstrate the University’s commitment to providing a safe environment and ensuring that children are able to experience the fundamental right to be protected from all forms of child abuse.
It is a shared and collective responsibility of all members of the University Community to create a child safe culture and environment.
- Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 (Vic)
- Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 (Vic) and the Child Safe Standards (Vic)
- Crimes Act 1958 (Vic)
- Federation University Australia Act 2010 (Vic)
- Federation University Australia Union Enterprise Agreement (UCA) 2019-2021
- The Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act)
- Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) – Standards for RTOs 2015
- VET Funding Contract
- Victorian TAFE Teaching Staff Multi-Business Agreement (MBA) 2009
- VRQA Guidelines to Minimum Standards 2015
- Worker Screening Act 2020 (Vic)
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Child | means a person under the age of 18 years. |
| Child Abuse |
child abuse can include physical or sexual harm, grooming, emotional or psychological harm, neglect, or family violence. It does not have to involve physical contact or force. Child abuse can include:
|
| Child Safe Standards |
means the compulsory minimum standards (enacted pursuant to the Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005) which apply to organisations in Victoria that provide services for children to help ensure the safety of children, as follows:
|
| Director | means a person employed by the University as a Director and, for the purposes of this policy and the associated procedure, also includes the Manager, Equity and Equal Opportunity and the Manager, Strategic Capital, Infrastructure and Projects. |
| Grooming | when a person engages in predatory conduct to prepare a child for sexual activity at a later time. Grooming can include communicating electronically or face-to-face and/or attempting to befriend or establish a relationship or other emotional connection with the child or their/parent carer. |
| Reasonable belief |
a reasonable belief or a belief on reasonable grounds is not the same as having proof but is more than a mere rumor or speculation. A ‘reasonable belief’ is formed if a reasonable person in the same position would have formed the belief on the same grounds. For example, a ‘reasonable belief’ might be formed if:
|
| Working with Children Check | a legislative requirement and process of assessment as prescribed in the Working with Children Act 2005 and subsequent Regulations as amended from time to time. |
| University Community |
The University Community includes the following people and organisations:
|
The University has a ’no tolerance’ approach to all forms of child abuse, and all allegations and safety concerns will be treated seriously and consistently with the policies and procedures in place.
The University is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all children under the care and supervision of University staff, students, volunteers, contractors and subcontractors by:
- Preventing all forms of child abuse, identifying risks early, and removing / reducing those risks.
- Complying with the legal and moral obligations of the University Community in reporting allegations of child abuse, and alerting the appropriate authorities if there is a reasonable belief a child is in need of protection;
- Upholding the safety of all children, including Aboriginal children, children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds and children with a disability; and
- Providing regular training and education to members of the University Community on the risks of child abuse.
The University actively promotes the participation and empowerment of all students, including children, through its Student Support Services. There are a wide range of services and support available:
- Educational and personal counselling;
- Welfare services;
- Chaplaincy;
- Equity and Equal Opportunity
- Disability and Learning Access Unit;
- Campus Life (including Childrens Centres and FedUni Living);
- Student Advocacy;
- Indigenous student support;
- International student support.
The University aims to promote an organisational culture of child safety through effective leadership by:
- Ensuring compliance with the Child Safe Standards;
- Regularly reviewing, updating and providing information on policies and procedures related to child safety; and
- Monitoring and evaluating the operation of the University’s Child Safe Code of Conduct.
The University aims to eliminate all risks of child abuse wherever possible. Risks to children are identified during initial risk assessments and are managed for the duration of the activity or service: see the Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Control (HIRAC) for Child Safety.
The University’s Child Safe Procedure outlines the University’s framework for responding to, and reporting instances of, suspected child abuse (including mandatory reporting requirements).
Internal Documents:
- Child Safe Policy and Procedure
- Child Safe Code of Conduct
- Four Critical Actions Flowchart
- Children in University Activities Policy
- Children in University Activities Procedure
- Risk Management Framework
- Equal Opportunity and Valuing Diversity Policy
- Health and Safety Policy
- Security Policy
- Recruitment and Merit Selection Policy
- Recruitment and Merit Selection Procedure
- Working With Children (WWC) Check Policy
- Working With Children (WWC) Check Procedure
External Documents:
- Report Recording Document - PROTECT Responding to Suspected Child Abuse: A Template for all Victorian Schools
- Child Safe Standards - Guidance for TAFEs & RTOs (DEET)
- Child Safe Standards - Guidance for Universities (DEET)
- A Guide for Creating a Child Safe Organisation (CCYP)
- Empowerment and participation of children (CCYP - Tip Sheet for Child Safe Organisation)
Forms
- Child Safe Code of Conduct (DOCX 177.1kb)
- Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Engagement) (as the Approval Authority) is responsible for monitoring the implementation, outcomes and scheduled review of this policy.
- Director, Corporate Governance (as the Policy Sponsor) is responsible for maintaining the content of this policy as delegated by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Engagement).
The Child Safe Policy will be communicated throughout the University community in the form of:
- an Announcement Notice via FedNews website and on the ‘Recently Approved Documents’ page on the ‘Policies, Procedures and Forms @ the University’ website to alert the University-wide community of the approved policy; and
- distribution of e-mails to Deans and Directors.
The Child Safe Policy will be implemented throughout the University via:
- an Announcement Notice via FedNews website and on the ‘Recently Approved Documents’ page on the ‘Policies, Procedures and Forms @ the University’ website to alert the University-wide community of the approved policy;
- staff induction sessions; and
- training sessions
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