Child Safety & Protection

Bacchus Marsh Grammar is committed to the protection of all children and young people from all forms of child abuse.

We demonstrate this through our comprehensive Child Safe Program which is designed to keep children and young people safe and is endorsed by the School Board.

We are clear about our behavioural expectations of every person in our community.

At Bacchus Marsh Grammar, we have zero tolerance for child abuse and are committed to acting in a child’s best interest and keeping them safe from harm. We regard our child safe responsibilities with the utmost importance.

Following the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, the Victorian Government reviewed the Standards and recommended a number of changes to better align the Standards to the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations, and to strengthen administration of the Standards. From 1 July 2022, the new Child Safe Standards will apply.

We provide the necessary resources to ensure compliance with all relevant child protection laws and regulations and maintain a child-safe culture that:

• is aligned to the new Child Safe Standards that apply from 1 July 2022.
• has zero tolerance for child abuse.
• actively works to listen to and empower children and young people.
• has systems to protect children and young people from abuse, and will take all allegations and concerns very seriously and respond to them consistently in line with the School’s policies and procedures.
• is committed to promoting physical, emotional and cultural safety for all children and young people.
• is committed to providing a safe environment for all children and young people.

Mandatory Reporting to Child Protection

Section 184 of the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 (Vic) (CYFA) requires that Mandatory Reporters must make a report to Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (Child Protection) if:

• in the course of their professional work or carrying out duties of their office, position or employment.
• they form a belief on reasonable grounds that a child (aged under 17) is in need of protection because:
  • the child has suffered or is likely to suffer significant harm as a result of physical injury or sexual abuse; and
  • the child’s parents have not protected or are unlikely to protect the child from the harm.

Failure to make a report is an offence.