Child Protection
The basis of promoting and ensuring child protection in Catholic Schools in South Australia is the right of every child to be safe and free from abuse, including bullying and harassment, and neglect.
Schools are mandated child-safe environments with legal, policy and procedural requirements for staff and volunteers.
The South Australian Commission for Catholic Schools (SACCS) requires its schools to implement child protection practices. Creating and maintaining safe and supportive school environments is implemented through the National Safe Schools Framework.
Catholic Education SA has developed policies, procedures and programs which address the following key elements of child protection:
- selection, screening and monitoring of all employees and volunteers working with children and young people
- implementing a code of conduct
- specialist child protection training for school leaders
- responding to allegations of misconduct
- mandatory notification training for all staff and information provided to volunteers working with children and young people
- child protection curriculum (proposed implementation in 2007)
- opportunities for student involvement in creating safe school environments.
Services include:
- agency liaison for child protection services including counselling
- policy, procedures and program development and implementation advice to school communities
- professional learning opportunities for school leaders, staff and volunteers.
