Child Safeguarding at Friends’

A deep and continuing commitment to child safety is at the very core of The Friends’ School. Respect and concern for each individual in the School’s care is driven by a foundational belief that there is that of God in everyone. This is fundamental to Quakerism and The Friends’ School. We strive to develop a culture which promotes child safety and the prevention of harm, where all members of the community feel comfortable speaking up. We commit to seeking and listening to the voices of children and cultivating an environment which is nurturing, open and aware. All forms of abuse and neglect are in opposition to the School’s Purpose and Concerns. The School has an enduring moral and legal obligation to report and act upon any concern counter to the wellbeing of children.

While these sentiments have always been at the heart of the School’s ethos and culture, the School will implement both the Child and Youth Safe Standards and Reportable Conduct Scheme from the incoming Tasmanian Child and Youth Safe Organisations Bill 2022 by 1 January 2024.

The Friends’ School is undertaking a Child Safety Review which commenced a few years ago and as such is well placed for the introduction of these legislative requirements.  The review process utilises static and dynamic approaches to comprehensively assess organisational child safety. This involves meetings with organisational leaders, and a rigorous review of policies, procedures and processes, which is then triangulated with site visits and stakeholder, (young people, parents, volunteers and staff), input; stakeholder contributions are gathered through focus groups and surveys. To this end, the Safeguarding Children Policy and Expectations, Mandatory Reporting Policy Standards and Expectations and the Reporting Form all became effective as of 1 March 2022 and can be viewed below.

These policies and expectations apply to students, staff, parents/guardians, volunteers, contractors and community members who participate in school life and/or visit the campus.  Student/child safety is the number one priority of the School and these policies and expectations serve to articulate why and how we provide a safe environment for our students/children of the School.

Community Child Safeguarding Policies and Guidelines

• Community Overview of Safeguarding Children Policy
• Community Overview of Child Safeguarding Policy Chinese Version
• Community Overview of Mandatory Reporting Policy
• Community Overview to Mandatory Reporting Policy Chinese Version

Notifying Child Safeguarding Concerns

Members of The Friends’ School community should complete the following form when they hold concerns of harm, abuse or neglect of a student or child in our care including Friends’ Early Learning and Friends Health & Fitness. Teachers within the School are to enter information directly into SEQTA.

• Reporting Child Harm, Abuse and/or Neglect Form

Information and Code of Conduct for Staff

• Code of Conduct Policy

Information and Guidelines for Students

• Students’ Commitment to a Child Safe School

Information and Guidelines for Volunteers and Contractors 

• Information and Expectations for Volunteers and Contractors
• Register your interest to be a Volunteer

To view the full list of Policies and Guidelines, please CLICK HERE

As a School, we are committed to promoting an environment which prevents harm and where students/children feel empowered to voice their concerns. As part of this responsibility, we are committed to upholding the ten National Child Safe Standards as outlined in Volume 6, Making Institutions Child Safe.  It underpins a set of standards and expectations that correspond to the ten National Child Safe Standards that guide the School:

1. Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture. 
2. Children and young people are informed about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.
3. Families and communities are informed, and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.
4. Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice.
5. People working with children are suitable and supported
6. Processes to respond to complaints and concerns are child focused.
7. Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through information, ongoing education and training.
8. Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed.
9. Implementation of national child safe principles is regularly reviewed and improved.
10. Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people.

Every child/student has the human right to an education that will foster their physical, emotional and spiritual development. Providing a student/child safe environment is the first step in allowing this development to occur. 

The Friends’ School joined the National Redress Scheme (NRS) in August 2019. The Board of Governors and school staff are fully committed to ensuring that our ongoing approach to child safety and the healing of historical harm is active and central in our systems and culture.  Please click here for information on the School’s participation in the NRS.

STUDENTS

1. Complete this form or
2. Email safe@friends.tas.edu.au or
3. Call Strong Families Safe Kids 1800 000 123 and/or
4. See a trusted adult e.g. Staff member, Tutor, Head of Campus

PARENTS/VOLUNTEERS/STAFF

Please follow this flowchart for reporting child safety concerns, incidents and disclosures.