Discussion Prompt 2 Child Safe Standards 2–6 The Royal Commission heard evidence that relates to: Standard 2—policy Standard 3—code of conduct In case study 12, the Royal Commission heard evidence that ‘…from 1999 to 2005, the school’s environment was such that, in respect of the reporting of sexual abuse, possible sexual abuse or other inappropriate behaviours: • School staff and one parent who gave evidence were not aware of any written policies or guidance on the procedure to report child sexual abuse or other inappropriate behaviours. • School staff received limited or no training or education in understanding the indicators of child sexual abuse and inappropriate behaviours or in reporting child sexual abuse and inappropriate behaviours. • School staff and parents were not always kept informed of the school’s response when concerns were raised with the school. • There was evidence of a culture at the school where some of the staff members and one parent felt that, if they raised concerns about another staff member, they may be ostracised by parts of the school community’ (case study 12). Discussion Points • Is our code of conduct and statement of commitment to safety publically available? What can we do to make these more accessible? , clauses 8–9 • Has the school community been informed about our child safe policy and how to access it? , clause 8(2). • Do we support, encourage and enable school staff, parents, and children to understand, identify, discuss and report child safety concerns? , clause 8(1)(b)(ii). • How do we support or assist children who disclose child abuse, or are otherwise linked to suspected child abuse? Can we do more? , clause 8(1)(b)(iii). • How will we keep staff and parents informed of our school’s response if child safety concerns have been raised? • Review , clauses 8–9. How has our school complied with all the requirements?
Discussion Prompt 6 Child Safe Standard 7 Participation and empowerment of children The Royal Commission has commissioned research by the Institute of Child Protection Studies. This research took the form of an online survey completed by 1480 young Australians. The survey addressed two main research questions: 1. What are children and young person’s perceptions of safety within institutions? 2. What do children and young people consider is already being done to respond to safety issues and risks in institutions? A summary of the key research findings can be found in the from the Institute of Child Protection Studies. Discussion Points • How does our school involve students when making decisions about issues that affect them? • What have our students had in the development of our school’s child safe policy and statement of commitment? • How do our students concerns about issues that affect them? How does our school respond to these concerns? • Do our students feel like they are valued, and that opinions matter? How do we know? • Do we know what the safety concerns of our students are? • How can we elicit information about what makes our students feel safe? • What are the strategies our students have identified they use in situations where they feel unsafe? How can our school implement these? Resources can be found in the Institute of . • How does our school deliver appropriate education about: standards of behaviour for students attending the school healthy and respectful relationships (including sexuality) resilience child abuse awareness and prevention? , clause 13(1). • How does our school promote the child safety standards in ways that are readily accessible, easy to understand, and user friendly to children? , clause 13(2). • How can we encourage students to report their safety concerns? Could we do this better?