Child Safety and Wellbeing Resources

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Child Safety and Wellbeing Resources

Update on the Coronavirus for Catholic school parents

Updated 23/03/2020 CSPV are receiving continuous information from the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria and the Department of Education and Training on this unfolding situation. The decision has now been made by the Victorian government to close all schools including Victorian Catholic schools. Click here to read more information. NAPLAN testing has now been cancelled following a meeting of the Education Ministers and announced by the Education Council. Click here to read the full announcement. Many parents will now have received further communication from their respective schools. The following resources will provide you with further information and guidance: LEARNING AT HOME   Learning at Home will be provided to schools should they be closed down and we encourage all parents to seek advice from their respective schools in how to support learning at home in relation to the curriculum and what the expectations are from teachers of the students. Please advise CSPV if y0u don't receive any advice or information from your school by emailing executive@cspv.catholic.edu.au. The following resources have been provided to schools by the Victorian Department of Education and Training for Learning at Home:   > Learning at Home resources   Other websites to view for information are:   SYSTEM AND CURRICULUM UPDATES   > Catholic Education Commission of Victoria FAQ Sheet   >Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority - for advice for VCE, VCAL and VET students.   > Department of Education and Training Information for parents   If you think your child is showing any relevant symptoms of the novel corona virus, please call the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to discuss further actions on 1300 651 160. You can also access further information and updates from the following websites: In circumstances like these there can understandably be concerns and uncertainty about the safety of your child. It's important to remain calm and continue to communicate with your school leaders should you have any concerns. Click here to download the Novel Coronavirus factsheet for schools - Updated 29 January.

Coronovirus - What will the impact be for VCE, VCAL and VET students if schools close?

Following our meeting with VCAA we are advised that at this stage there should be no disruptions to study, however should this change, each school will be equipped to manage their students, their studies, placements and school based assessments.   The VCE allows for considerable flexibility in delivery of learning and the administration of school-based assessments and the VCAA is assisting schools to identify suitable arrangements for their students’ learning and assessment on a case-by-case basis.   Schools will be able to provide advice and accommodate each student and their specific situation. External VCAL/VET providers will also need to have flexible solutions in place for their students.   VET programs are based on and contribute to nationally recognised qualifications, so it is not possible for Victoria to adopt a unilateral approach to how these challenges might be managed in the event of school closures. The DET is working with other jurisdictions on this and will provide updated advice as soon as possible. CSPV will post further information on the CSPV website and you are encouraged to keep visiting the DET website for further updates -   https://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/department/Pages/coronavirus.aspx We encourage parents to remain calm and seek advice from their school in how to work with them to support your child through any disruption to their learning and attendance at school.   Click here to visit the VCAA website for further information: https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/news-and-events/latest-news/Novel%20coronavirus%20updata/Pages/default.aspx

Student Wellbeing Resources

CSPV Archived Online Newsletters Student Wellbeing Hub - primary Student Wellbeing Hub - secondary Kidsmatter Primary - Families Matter Social and Emotional Learning Resources Bullying School Refusal

Child Safety Resources

Mandatory Reporting extended to school counsellors and religious ministry A message from the Commission for Children and Young People Child Safe Standards - Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority Child Safety in Catholic Schools Reportable Conduct Scheme eHeadspace - online support services DET School Attendance Guidelines Reporting concerns to Catholic Education Daniel Morcombe Foundation Child Safety Resources for parents

Child safety and wellbeing is perhaps the most important advocacy area for CSPV and indeed for most parents of children in Catholic schools.

CSPV, in our advocacy capacity, seeks to ensure that the Catholic schools that children attend throughout each diocese in Victoria are providing a safe and secure environment for children to learn.

Our key priorities are to ensure we remain up to date with the Child Safe Standards, particularly around mandatory reporting and understanding the Reportable Conduct legislation and how this impacts parents in Catholic learning communities.

Our role is in assisting with communication of the Child Safe Standards with parents and to provide information that is both relevant and easy to understand across a broad spectrum of family backgrounds that exist in Catholic schools in Victoria.

In moving beyond compliance, Catholic school parents must also have an understanding of what it means to develop a culture of child safety that can only be achieved in partnership with the whole school community. CSPV play a major role in consulting and collaborating with relevant education and governing authorities in achieving this for Catholic school parents.

Our key priorities for child safety are:

• Provision of education in Social and Emotional learning and Respectful Relationships curriculum in Catholic schools.

• Prevention of bullying in schools and online.

• Monitoring of the implementation of the Child Safe Standards and Reportable Conduct Scheme - ensuring parents are informed of reporting requirements and pathways by working in partnership with education authorities to improve reporting processes and support for families during an investigation following a report.

• Wellbeing programs - providing parents with resources and understanding of social and emotional learning and what makes Catholic schools unique when it comes to equipping children with these essential skills.

• Safe and supportive learning communities for all students.

Should you have any concerns about the safety of your child at school it is appropriate to first make an appointment with your school Principal.

Should you need to escalate your concerns, please contact the regional office in your area or the Catholic Education Office in your diocese.

To report your concern to Catholic Education complete the online referral form by clicking here.

CSPV will soon provide an update on a new reporting portal being developed by the Victorian Institute of Teaching. CSPV have been engaged as a partner in the development of this new system.