Tailored for incorporated school boards and governing authorities, the course explores the Victorian Child Safe Standards, the Reportable Conduct Scheme, and the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic) – outlining the legal, regulatory and cultural expectations that underpin safe and accountable schools.
Participants will learn how to effectively oversee, verify and assure safeguarding practices across school operations in line with Ministerial Order No. 1359 and VRQA Minimum Standards.
What You Will Learn
Through this session, board members will gain insight into the legal and governance frameworks that guide child safety in schools, including:
- The origins of current child safety reforms (Betrayal of Trust, Royal Commission)
- Legal duties under the Child Safe Standards, including governance, culture and risk oversight
- Board and leadership responsibilities under the Reportable Conduct Scheme
- Key criminal offences: Grooming, Failure to Disclose and Failure to Protect
- The role of the board in policy governance, risk assurance and compliance monitoring
- Board-level questions to evaluate whether child safety obligations are being fulfilled
- Privacy and information-sharing obligations, including engagement with families and students
- How to integrate safeguarding principles into strategic planning, reporting and culture
Who Should Attend
This course is ideal for governance leaders and professionals responsible for oversight of school operations, including:
- Incorporated school boards and governing authorities
- Directors and committee members
- School governors and trustees
- Company secretaries and risk committees
- Governance and compliance officers
Why Choose This Training
- Designed and delivered by experienced safeguarding and governance practitioners
- Aligns with Ministerial Order No. 1359, VRQA Minimum Standards and the Child Safe Standards
- Strengthens governance capacity for oversight, assurance and cultural leadership
- Supports compliance with regulator expectations and independent review findings
- Builds shared understanding across boards and leadership teams of safeguarding as a governance priority
