(1) This Policy outlines Victoria University’s (VU) commitment to promoting and protecting the wellbeing and safety of Children and Young People connected with the University community. (2) People under 18 years of age (Young People) are part of the Victoria University community. VU’s higher education and vocational education and training (VET), VCE, VCAL and Foundations program all involve students under 18 years of age. Further, VU operates several community programs for Children and Young People. (3) VU recognises and reinforces that it is a shared responsibility of all members of the University Community to create a child safe environment. (4) VU is committed to the protection, welfare, engagement and support of Children and Young People under 18 years of age in accordance with: (5) HESF: Standards 2.3 Wellbeing and Safety (2.3.3 & 2.3.4) (6) National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018 (Cth), Standard 5 (Younger Overseas Students). (7) VRQA Minimum Standards for registration as a non-school senior secondary provider (VCE and VCAL programs) Standard 3 - Student Welfare (8) This Policy applies to Adults and Young People involved in any Activity, and includes the children of staff and students visiting any campus or engaged in any VU activity. (9) This Policy applies to all activities undertaken as part of study, research, work, living and socialising which is organised, or auspiced by, or reasonably associated with VU, whether that Activity occurs on a VU campus, at a different site, or online. (10) This Policy also applies to all learning and teaching and other activities undertaken by VU Online. (11) This Policy does not apply to children accessing services provided by the VU Children’s Centres: Refer Children's Centre Child Protection and Child Safe Policy. (12) Activity: Any VU activity including educational, research, recreational or other programs which take place on VU campuses, are organised or auspiced by VU at any site, or occur online. (13) Adult: Any person aged 18 years and over (whether staff, students, researchers, visitors, parents, carers or guardians). (14) Young Person/Young People: A person/people who is currently under 18 years of age, whether or not enrolled as a student. (15) (16) (17) (18) (19) VU is committed to the protection, welfare, engagement and support of Children and Young People in accordance with the: (20) VU values Young People and is committed to their safety and wellbeing. VU wants Young People to be safe, respected, engaged and happy within the University community. (21) VU is committed to the safety, participation and empowerment of all Young People. This includes: (22) VU has zero tolerance of Child Abuse or Harm, and all allegations and safety concerns made to VU will be treated very seriously and consistently in line with VU's policies and procedures. (23) VU is committed to preventing Child Abuse or Harm by or through the early identification of risks in the University environment and the removal and reduction of those risks. (24) VU has robust human resources and recruitment practices for all Staff, which explicitly consider child safety and wellbeing. VU is also committed to regularly training and educating its Staff on the risks of Child Abuse or Harm. (25) VU has policies and procedures to guide and support its leadership team and Staff to achieve these commitments to provide a Child-Safe Environment. (26) VU aims to manage all allegations of child abuse, neglect and exploitation sensitively and expeditiously, and in accordance with principles of natural justice and procedural fairness; (27) VU aims to meet all research ethics and compliance requirements, including the Child Safe Standards; (28) VU is committed to maintaining confidentiality when dealing with and reporting on all allegations of child abuse / harm and exploitation, except as required by law. (29) VU encourages all Children and Young People who participate in its Activities to express their views about matters that directly affect them or are of importance to them. (30) VU will ensure that Children and Young People are provided appropriate information as to their rights and the standards of care to which they are entitled, and are provided culturally appropriate guidance and support with regard to raising concerns, making complaints or letting someone know if they feel unsafe. (31) VU will listen to and appropriately act on any concerns raised by a Young Person or any Adult concerning the safety and wellbeing of a Young Person. (32) All Staff must abide by the Appropriate Workplace Behaviour Policy and the associated Safety and Welfare of Children and Young People - Staff Code of Conduct when interacting with Young People. (33) VU will ensure that all Staff understand their roles in supporting a Child-Safe Environment at VU. Staff will receive induction and ongoing training, education and support relating to this Policy, the Safety and Welfare of Children and Young People - Staff Code of Conduct, and the Safety and Welfare of Children and Young People Procedure. (34) VU has processes in place for responding to and reporting on suspected Child Abuse or Harm and concerns for the safety and wellbeing of a Young Person. These are specified in Appendix 1 - Child Safety Reporting Process. (35) VU has legal obligations to report child abuse to relevant authorities including to the Commission for Children and Young People and/or Child Protection Services (36) VU will work to ensure that all Children, Young People and Adults involved in Activities know what to do or who to tell if they observe actual or potential Child Abuse or Harm. (37) VU recognises the importance of a risk management approach to prioritise actions which have the greatest potential for reducing Child Abuse or Harm. VU uses this approach to inform the planning and monitoring of Activities. (38) Risk mitigation actions to address risks of Child Abuse or Harm may be additional to those required to deal with occupational health and safety related risks or other risks. (39) VU will ensure that it fulfils its obligations under Standard 5 of the National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018 (Cth). The Safety and Welfare of Children and Young People - International Student Welfare Procedure details the steps VU will take to ensure compliance with these obligations. (40) Safety and Welfare of Children and Young People Procedure (41) Safety and Welfare of Children and Young People - International Student Welfare Procedure (42) Safety and Welfare of Children and Young People - Staff Code of Conduct (43) Appendix 2 - Child Safety Reporting Guidelines (44) Work Integrated Learning Policy (45) Work Integrated Learning Procedure (HE) (46) Work Integrated Learning - Practical Placement Procedure (VET)Safety and Welfare of Children and Young People Policy
Section 1 - Summary
Top of PageSection 2 - HESF/ ASQA/ ESOS Alignment
Section 3 - Scope
Section 4 - Definitions
Section 5 - Policy Statement
Legislative Context
Commitment to Child Safety
Safety and Participation of Children
Supporting Staff
Reporting Child Abuse and Child Safety Concerns
Risk Management
Younger Students on International Visas
Section 6 - Procedures
Section 7 - Supporting Documents and Information
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