Child Safety Standards

Sacred Heart Morwell is committed to providing a safe environment for all students and young people and will take active steps to protect them against abuse.

Sacred Heart Morwell is steadfast in its commitment to upholding the inherent dignity of all children and young people, and to ensuring their fundamental right to be respected, protected, and nurtured within a safe and supportive school environment. This commitment is particularly significant for children who are most vulnerable, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, and children with disabilities.

In instances where allegations of abuse involving children or young people arise, Sacred Heart Morwell will act promptly to ensure that such matters are appropriately reported and thoroughly investigated. The school recognises the critical importance of implementing effective child safety practices and of being able to identify and respond to all forms of child harm. We are dedicated to ongoing improvement that reflects emerging research, evidence, and best practice, with the ultimate goal of preventing abuse before it can occur.

Establishing and maintaining a child-safe environment is an evolving and shared responsibility, requiring the active engagement of the school, families, and the broader community. This process is characterised by collaboration, vigilance, and the adoption of proactive strategies across our policies, procedures, curriculum, and everyday practices.

Every individual associated with Sacred Heart Morwell bears both a personal and collective responsibility to understand and fulfil their role in safeguarding the wellbeing and safety of all children and young people. This responsibility must underpin every action taken and every decision made within our school community.

In accordance with requirements outlines in the Victorian Government’s Ministerial Order No 1359, Sacred Heart Morwell maintains an unwavering commitment to a culture of zero tolerance for child abuse.