Deputy Principal | Mr Damien Fall

As an educational institution, we have no greater responsibility than to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the students entrusted to our care. As a response to our call to provide an environment where children are safe from harm, EREA introduced what is known as the Child Safeguarding Standards Framework. The Framework is designed to enhance a culture wherein protecting children and young people from abuse and other harm and promoting child safety, participation, empowerment, and wellbeing is embedded in the everyday thinking and practice of leaders, staff, and volunteers. The following are the 11 standards used to embed a culture of safety and wellbeing:

  • Standard 1: Committed Leadership, Governance and Culture
  • Standard 2: Children and Young People are Safe, Informed and Participate
  • Standard 3: Partnering with Families, Carers and Communities
  • Standard 4: Equity is Promoted and Diversity Respected
  • Standard 5: Robust Human Resource Management
  • Standard 6: Effective Complaints Handling Processes
  • Standard 7: Ongoing Education and Training
  • Standard 8: Safe Physical and Online Environments
  • Standard 9: Regular Review and Continuous Improvement
  • Standard 10: Policies and Procedures Support Child Safety
  • Standard 11: EREA Protocols and Requirements

Over the next 12 months, the College will complete a thorough assessment of our compliance with these standards via a tool known as the self-assessment checklist. This review process allows us to ensure there are no gaps in our policy and procedure. EREA schools nationwide have been directed to start by completing checklists to assess our compliance with Standards 2 and 8. While we are confident that the findings will be very positive, this is an excellent method for finding any areas where we might continue to improve. Once these two standards are completed, we will work through the remainder. A Child Safeguarding Working Party will be established to complete this significant task.

The above process will complement the Non-State Schools Accreditation Board (NSSAB) cyclical review, which we are currently undertaking, and the Charter Survey, which asks students to assess how closely our practices align with the EREA Touchstones. These are important means by which we reflect on our practices and seek ways we might improve.

I wish everyone in the Terrace Family the very best as we head towards the end of semester exam period.