From 1 January 2016, all early childhood services are required to comply with new child safe standards designed to ensure that organisations that work with children take steps to create a culture of child safety and protect children from all forms of abuse.
The aim of the child safe standards is to drive continuous improvement so that protecting children from abuse is embedded in everyday thinking and practice of leaders, staff and volunteers. The focus of the standards for 2016 is on raising awareness and helping organisations to create and maintain child safe environments through education and training.
The Child Safe Standards have been introduced in response to the recommendations of the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into the Handling of Child Abuse by Religious and Other Non-Government Organisations, which found that more must be done to prevent and respond to child abuse. The standards apply to all organisations that provide services for children, including early childhood services.
For more information please click the following link: http://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/principals/spag/safety/Pages/childsafestandards.aspx