Text here Text here Text here Child Protection

• Text here – Text here • Text here Child Protection Policy 2017 1

Focus 2017 Implement revised child protection policies to further develop schools as child safe organisations consistent with the work of the Royal Commission 2

A Child Safe Organisation… …is one that consciously and systematically: • creates conditions that reduce the likelihood of harm occurring to children and young people • creates conditions that increase the likelihood of any harm being discovered • responds appropriately to any disclosures, allegations or suspicions of harm The Australian Children’s Commissioners and Guardians (ACCG) from Consultation Paper March 2016 - The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse 3

Overview • policy is a statement on the strategic direction of the Department • procedures are operational instructions that staff must follow in response to a child protection matter • guidance is supplementary information that assists in implementing the procedures • appendix contains more detailed supplementary information 4

Child Protection Policy statement The Department is committed to being a child safe organisation through the prevention, identification and reporting of child abuse and neglect. This includes the provision of support to children who have been abused or are affected by abuse. 5

The best interests of the child. . . Policy Rule: All Department employees will: take all actions and make decisions based on the best interests of the child • Guidance for principals to assist in making decisions in the best interest of the child. 6

Different procedures for different roles • Principals • Teachers • Boarding Supervisors • School Psychologists • Non-Teaching Staff 7

Consultations and feedback • Consultation with a broad range of Department teaching and non-teaching staff and external agencies • Key points raised during process • Key points addressed in policy 8

What has changed? Review of the Children and Community Services Act 2004 (as at 1 January 2016) o Emotional abuse redefined to include family and domestic violence (Section 3. 4) o Boarding supervisors - mandatory reporters of child sexual abuse (separate procedures) o Information sharing – expanded (Section 3. 16) 9

What has changed? Recommendations from the Commissioner for Children and Young People (CCYP) o require staff to complete the online Child Protection and Abuse Prevention professional learning every three years (Section 3. 1) o inform students of staff responsibility to protect them from harm (Section 3. 2. 1) o inform students how they can make a disclosure or complaint (Section 3. 2. 1) 10

What else has changed? • implementing protective behaviours education that aligns with the WA Curriculum (Section 3. 2) • responding when a student is at immediate risk of harm (Section 3. 7) • students aged 18 years and over subjected to physical or sexual assault (Section 3. 8) • responding to students in possession of child exploitation material (Section 3. 8. 1) 11

What else has changed? • protocols for Western Australia Police who request to interview or remove a student from school grounds (Section 3. 11. 4) • informing parents when a student under the age of consent discloses their involvement in a sexual relationship (Section 3. 11. 5) • documented education planning for children in care (Section 3. 15) 12

Further information The Department’s website provides additional information. For advice or support: Complex Learning and Wellbeing (Child Protection) Statewide Services Centre T: 9402 6124 E: child. protection@education. wa. edu. au W: http: //det. wa. edu. au/childprotection/detcms/portal/ 13