Child Protection

We take our responsibility to protect children seriously. We have a comprehensive range of internal policies and procedures as well as annual in-service training for all staff. All staff are responsible for Child Protection in our schools, which includes:

Responding to risk of harm

All school staff are mandatory reporters. If there are reasonable grounds to suspect that a child is at risk of ‘significant harm’ due to abuse, neglect, self-harm, domestic violence or is a risk to others, then a report must be made to the Community Services Child Protection Helpline.

If a report involves alleged criminal behaviour, then it will also be immediately reported to the Police for investigation.

If as a staff member, parent or student, you have concerns that a child who is attending one of our Schools may be at risk of harm, then please discuss your concerns with the Principal of that school as soon as possible.

Addressing complaints of inappropriate behaviour by staff

All staff are subject to a Code of Conduct that governs their professional behaviour so as to ensure a safe and supportive environment is created for students, staff and the broader community.

In addition to this Code, certain complaints may constitute what is called ‘reportable conduct’. Reportable conduct is handled differently to other types of complaints which may arise in the school. These complaints are subject to legal obligations established by the Children’s Guardian Act 2019. The obligations have been put in place to ensure that certain kinds of complaints are addressed through a fair and confidential process conducted by the Armidale Catholic School Office that is overseen by, and reported to, the NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian. 

If a complaint involves alleged criminal behaviour, then it will also be immediately reported to the Police for investigation. 
If you have any concerns about the behaviour of a staff member towards any child or young person then it is important that you discuss your concerns with the Principal of that school as soon as possible. If your concern is in regard to the behaviour of the Principal, then contact the Armidale Catholic Schools Office as soon as possible.

 


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