The department has two distinct roles in relation to the Child Safe Standards. It is both an entity that must comply with the Standards and a regulator that supports department funded and/or regulated organisations to comply with the Standards.
Department as an entity
All children have the right to feel and be safe. Keeping children safe is everyone’s responsibility. The department is committed to providing a child safe environment where children are safe and feel safe, and where their voices are heard about the decisions that affect their lives.
We are committed to the safety, participation and empowerment of all children. We have a zero-tolerance approach to child abuse. All allegations and safety concerns are treated seriously and consistently through our policies and procedures. Our aim is to prevent child abuse through identifying risks and, as soon as possible, taking steps to remove and reduce those risks.
We are committed to ensuring the cultural safety of Aboriginal children and children from culturally and or linguistically diverse backgrounds, and to providing a safe environment for children with a disability.
In accordance with Child Safe Standards, we have developed a:
- Child Safe Code of Conduct – Child safe code of conduct (Word)
- Child Safe Standards Policy – Child safe standards policy (Word)
- Reportable Conduct Policy – Reportable conduct policy (Word).
More information
For more information about the operation of the Child Safe Standards and the Reportable Conduct Scheme within the department, contact the department’s Investigation and Review Team via phone: (03) 9096 2671 or email: internalinvestigations@dffh.vic.gov.au.
Department as a relevant authority
While the Commission for Children and Young People is the oversight body for the Child Safe Standards, the department also has a regulatory role as a ‘relevant authority’ under the Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005. This role is administered by the Human Services Regulator on behalf of the department.
To support department funded and/or regulated organisations to comply with the Child Safe Standards, the Human Services Regulator has developed a suite of resources about the Child Safe Standards, which is available on the Child Safe Standards page of the Service Providers website.
More information
For queries, organisations can contact the Human Services Regulator’s Child Safeguarding team via email: childsafeorgs@dffh.vic.gov.au.
Review of Victoria’s Child Safe Standards
In December 2019, the previous Department of Health and Human Services published its review of the Victorian Child Safe Standards. The Victorian Government endorsed all 15 of the review’s recommendations.
Following the review, new Child Safe Standards were introduced on 1 July 2022. The new Standards will implement 5 of the review recommendations. A further 8 recommendations will be implemented through legislative amendments passed by Parliament in 2021, to improve the regulatory framework for the Standards. The remaining 2 recommendations can be implemented administratively. All Victorian organisations that provide services or facilities to children are required by law to comply with the Child Safe Standards.
Commission for Children and Young People
Further information about the Child Safe Standards, including a range of advice, resources, templates and information on the Child Safe Standards is available on the Child Safe Standards page of the Commission for Children and Young People website.
More information
Contact the the Commission for Children and Young People via phone: 1300 78 29 78 or email: contact@ccyp.vic.gov.au
Schools and education providers
Information for schools and education providers is available on the Protect children webpage on the Department of Education and Training website.
More information
Contact the Department of Education and Training via email: child.safe.schools@edumail.vic.gov.au
Early childhood services
Queries for early childhood services operating under the National Quality Framework or the Children's Services Act 1996 should be directed to the Department of Education and Training.
More information
Contact the Licensed children's services enquiry line: 1300 307 415 or email: licensed.childrens.services@edumail.vic.gov.au
Resources and related websites
- Child Safe Standards information sheet – on the Commission for Children and Young People website
- Child Safe Standards information sheet – easy read (PDF)
- Child Safe Standards information sheet – easy read text (accessible)
- Child Safe Standards translated information for people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds – on the Commission for Children and Young People website
- Posters about the Child Safe Standards – on the Commission for Children and Young People website
- A Guide for Creating a Child Safe Organisation – on the Commission for Children and Young People website
- Resources for Child Safe Standards – on the Providers website
- Making Children Safe – on the Commission for Children and Young People website
- Creating Child Safe Organisations in Victoria – on the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare website.