Child Safety Commitment

Iona College Geelong is a child safe school committed to the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of all children and young people.

Iona College Geelong has zero tolerance for child abuse and is committed to the protection of all children from all forms of child abuse.

The Child Protection Program at Iona is made up of work systems, practices, policies and procedures designed to maintain a child safe environment and to embed an organisational culture of child safety within the College community. The Program deals specifically with child protection issues and is designed to ensure compliance with the Victorian Child Safe Standards and related child protection laws. Broader child safety issues arising from our common law duty of care are dealt with through our Student Duty of Care Program.

Child Safe Principles

The College’s commitment to child safety is based on the following overarching principles that guide the development and regular review of our work systems, practices, policies and procedures to protect children from abuse.

1. All children have the right to be safe.
2. The welfare and best interests of the child are paramount.
3. The views of the child and a child’s privacy must be respected.
4. Clear expectations for appropriate behaviour with children are established in our Child Safety Code of Conduct.
5. The safety of children is dependent upon the existence of a child safe culture.
6. Child safety awareness is promoted and openly discussed within our College community.
7. Procedures are in place to screen all staff, direct contact volunteers, third party contractors and external education providers who have direct contact with children.
8. Child safety and protection is everyone’s responsibility.
9. Child protection training is mandatory for all Canonical Administrators, Advisory Board members, staff and Direct Contact Volunteers.
10. Procedures for responding to alleged or suspected incidents of child abuse are simple and accessible for all members of the College community.
11. Children from culturally or linguistically diverse backgrounds have the right to special care and support including those who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
12. Children who have any kind of disability have the right to special care and support.

Any concerns or queries regarding Child Protection please contact the College’s Child Protection Officers:

Kylie Power – kylie.power@iona.vic.edu.au

Ashley Mills – ashley.mills@iona.vic.edu.au

Justine Fitzpatrick – justine.fitzpatrick@iona.vic.edu.au

Craig Durran – craig.durran@iona.vic.edu.au

Or by phone: 5229 0004.