Protecting children and young people is everyone’s business

National Child Protection Week 2017 runs from Sunday 3^rd – Saturday 9^th of September. The Wodonga Federation of Government Schools, which includes our school, continue to promote the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people.

Protecting children is everyone’s concern and we urge the entire school community to play their part. The best way that we can adequately protect children, is to stop neglect and abuse BEFORE it happens.

Even the smallest act can help build a safer community for children and young people. For instance:

• Be kind to children and parents
• Rather than blame parents, think of ways to support them
• Listen to the needs of children and spend time with them
• Be a good role model around children.
• Look out for signs of abuse or neglect; if you suspect something is wrong, talk to an expert

Last year the Victorian Government phased in the new Child Safe Standards for all schools and organisations who work with children up to 18 years old. The Standards are a direct response to the recommendations from the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into the Handling of Child Abuse by Religious and other Non-Government organisations.

Our school is playing our part by implementing a Child Safety Policy, Child Safety Code of Conduct, strategies to prevent child abuse and respond to suspected child abuse, recruitment procedures to minimise or remove risks of child abuse, and strategies to promote child participation and empowerment.

For more information on National Child Protection Week 2017 www.napcan.org.au

Take a look at the Wodonga Federation of Government Schools Child Safety policy.