Child Safety
Helena College is a Child Safe School, committed to protecting children and young people from all forms of abuse. We have a zero tolerance stance on child abuse and remain committed to acting in our student’s best interests to always keep them safe from harm.
Our commitment to child safety is demonstrated through the implementation of robust policies and procedures designed to prevent, identify, and report instances of child abuse.
The wellbeing of children and young people in our care will always be our priority and as such we are committed to providing the necessary resources to ensure compliance with all relevant child protection laws and regulations and to maintain a safe and supportive environment.
Further details about our Child Safe policies and procedures are provided below:
- Child Safe Policy
- Community Code of Conduct
- Child Safe Code of Conduct
- Volunteer & Visitors Code of Conduct
Child Safety Framework
Helena College has adopted the following 10 National Principles for Child Safe Organisations:
- Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance, and culture.
- Children and young people are informed about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.
- Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.
- Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice.
- People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice.
- Processes to respond to complaints and concerns are child focused.
- Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training.
- Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed.
- Implementation of the national child safe principles is regularly reviewed and improved.
- Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people.
Child Safeguarding
All child safety incidents or concerns should be reported to the Principal, Mr Peter Coombs, principal@helena.wa.edu.au. All reports are treated confidentially.
Child Protection Officers
We have eleven staff members across the Darlington and Glen Forrest Campuses nominated as Child Protection Officers within the College. These staff members have undertaken specialised training with respect to child safety and should be the first point of contact for reporting child protection issues:
| Campus | Name | |
|---|---|---|
|
Darlington
|
Andrew Barclay
|
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Darlington
|
Rebecca Bol
|
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Darlington
|
April Ledger
|
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Darlington
|
Kellie Sorensen
|
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Darlington
|
Greg Miller
|
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Glen Forrest
|
Shane Gray
|
|
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Glen Forrest
|
Sara-Christine Settlemaier
|
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Glen Forrest
|
Thea O'Keeffe
|
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Glen Forrest
|
Di Parker
|
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Glen Forrest
|
Deanne Wright
|
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Glen Forrest
|
Matt Zarb
|
Useful Resources
The following external services can provide you with support and further information:
Healing Historical Harm
Helena College condemns child sexual abuse and recognises the devastating impacts it has on those affected. As part of our ongoing commitment to child safety, we will acknowledge and support any former students who were harmed while in the care of the College. The College has joined the National Redress Scheme which was established in response to the Royal Commission into Institutional Response to Child Sexual Abuse. Details of redress and support provided by the Redress Scheme are available at www.nationalredress.gov.au.
If you require additional information on how Helena College responds to reports of historical harm, or wish to to report historical cases of abuse, please contact to the Principal, Mr Peter Coombs, principal@helena.wa.edu.au. All communication regarding historical cases will be responded to with confidentiality and care.