PROTECT – CHILD SAFETY STANDARDS


The Victorian Government is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people and to preventing and responding to child abuse in our community. Therefore, there is a new regulatory landscape surrounding child safety, underpinned by the new PROTECT Child Safe Standards.

These Child Safe Standards are compulsory minimum standards for all Victorian early childhood services and schools, to ensure they are well prepared to protect children from abuse and neglect.

Everyone has the right to be safe and protected from abuse whether at school, home or out in the  community and children are urged to tell a teacher or an adult if they feel unsafe. It is everyone’s responsibility to protect children and each other.

Department of Education and Training Secretary Gill Callister states that “Schools should be the safest place for children after the family home, and these new standards will support the work that Principals and Teachers do to protect all students from abuse and neglect. These standards build on, and strengthen this work across all our services.”

Further information on these standards can be found at www.education.vic.gov.au/protect

If a belief has been formed by a parent or member of the public that abuse has taken place, they can contact the Department of Human Services (Child Protection) or Child FIRST by telephone as soon as possible to make an official notification on: 1300 655 795.