childsafe-statement

Childsafe statement:

DVLC is committed to child safety and protecting children from harm. Our organisation fully supports the Victorian State Government Child Safe Standards.
Our Statement of Commitment (see below) reinforces DVLC’s undertaking to be a child safe institution; and to focus on the safety and protection of children and young people under the age of 18 across our diverse operations.

Statement of Commitment

DVLC has students under the age of 18, may provide re-engagement services to young people under 18 years of age, may host visiting children, and/or conduct activities with children and young people. As such, DVLC recognises its responsibility and is committed to being a child safe organisation and protecting children from harm.

DVLC is committed to:

• Promoting and protecting the best interests of children;
• Safeguarding children who are undertaking DVLC programs including via e-learning, or who are engaged in DVLC online communities and forums;
• The safety, participation and empowerment of all children;
• Preventing child abuse and identifying risks early, and removing and reducing these risks, including risks presented by physical and online environments;
• Regularly training and educating our staff and volunteers on child abuse risks;
• The cultural safety of Aboriginal children;
• The cultural safety of children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds; and
• Providing a safe environment for children with a disability.

DVLC supports and respects all children, as well as our staff and volunteers. All children, regardless of their gender, race, religious beliefs, age, disability, sexual orientation, or family or social background have equal rights to protection from abuse, harm or maltreatment.

DVLC has:

• Zero tolerance of child abuse, and all allegations and safety concerns will be treated very seriously and consistently with our policies and procedures;
• Legal and moral obligations to contact authorities when we have reasonable concern about a child’s safety, or reasonably believe that a child has been abused or harmed, which we follow rigorously;
• Human resources and recruitment practices for all staff and volunteers; and
• Policies, procedures and training in place that support our leadership team, staff and volunteers to achieve these commitments.

Everyone working or studying at DVLC is responsible for the care and protection of the children within our care and reporting information about suspected child abuse or harm of children and young people. The DVLC community is aware of the Victorian Government’s mandatory reporting obligations and associated legislation. Child protection is a shared responsibility between DVLC, all employees, students, workers, Board members, contractors, associates and members of the DVLC community.

If you believe a child or young person is at immediate risk of abuse or harm call Emergency 000.