If you would like to volunteer in any capacity at the school you will be required to have a current "Working With Children Check Victoria" that has been sighted and recorded at the school office (application link HERE if you need to apply for one), you must carry this card each time you are volunteering at school. We ask that you sign in and out of the school office each time you are onsite, you will need your WWCC number to enter into the Compass Kiosk.

We also require you to follow our induction process which ensures Parkdale Primary School volunteers are familiar with our policies and procedures relating to child safety and understand the important role they play in maintaining and promoting the safety of our students.

Volunteers must read the suite of policies and procedures in the links below before commencing any work where children are likely to be present.

Key messages

• Parkdale Primary School is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children. We want children attending our school to be safe, happy and respected.
• We are committed to creating inclusive environment where diversity is supported, and students feel safe to bring their whole selves to school.
• Allegations and concerns relating to the safety and wellbeing of our school community will be treated very seriously and consistently with our policies and procedures.
• We are committed to preventing child abuse, identifying risks early and removing and reducing these risks.
• Everyone has a role to ensure children are safe – if something does not feel right, speak up. If you have any concerns about any inappropriate behaviours in the school community, you should speak to the Principal or Assistant Principal. If this would not be appropriate in the circumstances, you can contact the South Eastern Victoria Regional Office of the Department of Education on 1300 338 691.

Induction materials – must read

Refer to the Volunteer Induction Handbook and complete, sign and return the Volunteer OHS Induction Checklist to the office.

This induction handbook contains references to the following documents that all new volunteers must read and familiarise themselves with. Please click on the hyperlinks to access each document. If you would prefer a hard copy of this pack, please contact the team in the office who will happily provide you with one.

• Volunteers Policy
• Child Safety Policy
• Child Safety Responding and Reporting Obligations Policy and Procedures
• Child Safety Code of Conduct
• PROTECT: Four Critical Actions for Schools – Responding to incidents, disclosures and suspicions of child abuse
• PROTECT: Identify child abuse

We value your feedback on ways we can continue to improve and strengthen our child safety approach and encourage you to contact email with any comments or questions.

Parkdale Primary School is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children. The Child Safe Standards recognise that all  children are vulnerable and there are eleven Child Safe Standards as shown below:

Child Safe Standard 1 – Establish a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children and young people are respected and valued.

Child Safe Standard 2 – Ensure that child safety and wellbeing are embedded in school leadership, governance and culture.

Child Safe Standard 3 – Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.

Child Safe Standard 4 – Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.

Child Safe Standard 5 – Equity is upheld and diverse needs are respected in policy and practice.

Child Safe Standard 6 – People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice.

Child Safe Standard 7 – Ensure that processes for complaints and concerns are child focused.

Child Safe Standard 8 – Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training.

Child Safe Standard 9 – Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed.

Child Safe Standard 10 – Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved.

Child Safe Standard 11 – Policies and procedures that document how schools are safe for children, young people and students.

Child Safe Standard 8 requires us to ensure that we have appropriate process in place for volunteers working at our school which includes parent volunteers who help with; classroom programs, corridor and classroom reading, excursions, camps, Clubs such as Garden Club, PPA activities onsite such as uniform sales, etc.

Protecting Children from Abuse: For Parents and Carers