- Date:
- 1 July 2022
All references to 'schools' in this guidance includes school boarding premises.
Minimum standards
Ministerial Order 1359 provides the framework for child safety in schools and school boarding premises.
Regulatory information
This information follows the structure of Ministerial Order 1359 and outlines:
- steps to compliance
- examples of common non-compliance
- links to resources.
What do schools and school boarding premises have to do?
Schools must have child safety strategies, policies and practices in place to comply with the Standards.
School boarding premises must also have child safe strategies and practices in place. They do not need separate policy documents to the school if they ensure the school policies address the unique risks and vulnerabilities of the school boarding setting.
If schools discover significant breaches of Ministerial Order 1359, independent schools should notify the VRQA, Catholic schools should notify the Victorian Catholic Education Authority and government schools should notify the Department of Education.
The role of governing authorities
Ministerial Order 1359 acknowledges schools have different school governance arrangements.
When considering this regulatory information and guidance:
- Catholic schools must follow the Victorian Catholic Education Authority(opens in a new window) advice and ensure that policies and procedures are approved by their governing authority
- Government schools must follow Department of Education advice on the differing responsibilities of the school council and principal
- Independent schools must ensure their governing authority understands the obligations of Ministerial Order 1359 and approves the policies and procedures it requires.
Ready to get started?
Action lists for government and non-government schools:
- Child Safe Standards Action List – non-government schools (DOCX, 386KB)(opens in a new window)
- Child Safe Standards Action List – government schools (DOCX, 110KB) (opens in a new window) (opens in a new window)
Action lists specific to Catholic schools can be accessed through the Victorian Catholic Education Authority(opens in a new window).
Guidance and evidence requirements for each Standard is also available.
1. Culturally safe environments
Establish a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children and young people are respected and valued.
2. Child safety and wellbeing
Ensure that child safety and wellbeing are embedded in school leadership, governance and culture.
3. Child and student empowerment
Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.
4. Family engagement
Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.
5. Diversity and equity
Equity is upheld and diverse needs are respected in policy and practice.
6. Suitable staff and volunteers
People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice.
7. Complaints processes
Ensure that processes for complaints and concerns are child focused.
8. Child safety, knowledge, skills and awareness
Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training.
9. Child safety in physical and online environments
Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed.
10. Review of child safety practices
Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved.
11. Implementation of child safety practices
Policies and procedures that document how schools are safe for children, young people and students.
Updated