Child Safety and Wellbeing
Our Commitment
Silkwood School is committed to the safety, wellbeing and best interests of all children and young people. We are committed to providing a child safe environment where children and young people are respected, heard and supported to thrive.
We have a zero tolerance for child abuse and maltreatment that may place children or young people at risk of harm. We are committed to the early identification of concerns, risks and signs of harm, and to responding in a timely, appropriate and effective way. We take all concerns about child safety seriously.
We recognise that child safety includes physical, emotional, psychological, social and cultural safety. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment in which all children and young people feel valued and safe, and in which identities and experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people are respected.
Child Safety and Wellbeing is central to our school culture, leadership and everyday practice. In all that we do, we uphold the rights of children and young people, listen to and act on their voices, and foster their agency by supporting their participation in decisions that affect their lives. We are committed to creating an environment in which students feel safe included and empowered.
How We Keep Students Safe
Student safety and wellbeing is embedded in our leadership, governance and culture. We actively manage risks to students through ongoing monitoring and review, and hold all staff, contractors and volunteers to clear codes of conduct.
We listen to students in age-appropriate and culturally appropriate ways and create genuine opportunities for them to have a say in matters that affect them. Our curriculum builds students' understanding of personal safety and protective behaviours, and staff are trained to recognise when a student may need support.
We value strong, respectful partnerships with families and the broader school community, with regular opportunities to engage and provide feedback. This includes our Community Care Program, parent surveys, and inclusive relationships with First Nations families, community members and Elders through our Reconciliation Action Plan.
We're committed to an inclusive, equitable environment where every student feels safe, respected and supported, covering learning enrichment, anti-bullying, anti-discrimination, disability support, behaviour support and pastoral care.
We recruit, select, train and manage staff in ways that limit risk to students - including thorough screening, referee checks and a probationary period during hiring, alongside consistent management processes, induction, ongoing training and exit interviews.
We maintain a student-focused approach to complaints, with clear processes for how concerns are raised and responded to. Any concerns relating to harm or abuse are managed under our Reporting Concerns of Harm and Abuse Policy, which sets out our obligations to act and report to authorities.
Staff and volunteers complete training at induction and annually, covering Child Protection, the Child Safe Standards, Codes of Conduct, Duty of Care, Blue Card requirements, Work Health and Safety, and Cultural Competency, with refreshers whenever policies are updated.
We proactively manage risks in both physical and online spaces to keep students safe without compromising their privacy. This includes clear ICT and computer use policies, along with cybersafety education tailored to different stages of development.
We regularly review our policies and practices, analyse feedback and incident data, and engage the school community to inform ongoing improvements.
Our Statement of Commitment to Student Safety and Wellbeing is embedded across all relevant policies and procedures.
Photos and videos of students are only taken and used with parent/carer consent, and we take care to protect student privacy across newsletters, social media, the website and other publications.
Reporting Concerns
If you are worried about the safety or wellbeing of a student, we encourage you to speak with us. Concerns can be raised confidentially and will be managed in line with our Child Safe Program and complaints procedures.
Meet our Child Safety Officers
At Silkwood School, our Child Safety Officers support Silkwood’s commitment to student safety and wellbeing by providing a visible, accessible and trusted point of contact for students, staff and families in relation to child safety concerns. The Child Safety Officers help ensure that concerns about harm or student wellbeing are responded to promptly, respectfully and in accordance with the school’s policies and reporting processes.
Resources
FAQ'S
What does "child safe" mean at Silkwood?
Every part of how we operate, from recruitment to training and how we respond to concerns is designed to protect students' physical, emotional, psychological and cultural safety, in line with Queensland's Child Safe Standards.
How does Silkwood screen the people who work with my child?
We use child-safe recruitment and screening for all employees, with role-appropriate requirements for volunteers and contractors.
Before appointing an employee, we verify identity, qualifications and professional registration, check employment history and referees, and confirm they hold the required clearance for their role. Requirements for volunteers and contractors depend on their responsibilities and level of contact with students.
In Queensland, teachers must hold current registration with the Queensland College of Teachers, and non-teaching staff, volunteers and contractors must meet applicable Blue Card requirements.
All employees complete child-safety induction and training and must follow our Child Safety Code of Conduct and reporting procedures. Volunteers and contractors must meet the child safety, conduct and supervision requirements relevant to their role.
What if I have a concern about my child's safety or wellbeing?
You can raise it with your child's Advisor, Head of School, or any of our Child Safety Officers at any time. All concerns are taken seriously and responded to promptly.
Will my child be photographed or filmed at school?
Only with your consent. As part of enrolment, you complete a Media Consent Form where you can say yes or no to different uses, including school publications and newsletters, our website, official social media accounts, promotional materials and press releases. You can update your preferences at any time by contacting the school office, and where you haven't consented to a particular use, we take reasonably practicable steps to ensure your child isn't identifiable in that context.
How does Silkwood handle my family's personal information?
In line with our Privacy Policy, we only collect what we need, use it for the purpose it was collected for, and store it securely.