College Policies

Child and Cultural Safety - Statement of Commitment

Pacific Lutheran College, Pacific Lutheran Early Learning Centre and Pacific Lutheran College Outside Hours School Care (OSHC) are committed to providing environments where children and students are safe, supported, and able to thrive.

We have zero tolerance for child abuse, harm, neglect, or exploitation in any form. The safety and wellbeing of children and students is our highest priority and the paramount consideration in all decision‑making involving children and students.

We recognise that safeguarding children and students requires deliberate, consistent action. This includes maintaining strong systems, building capability across our workforce, and ensuring that concerns are taken seriously and acted upon without delay.

We are committed to:

• acting with the safety, wellbeing and best interests of children and students as the paramount consideration at all times:

• meeting the 10 Child Safe Standards in every part and activity of our organisation

• creating culturally safe environments that are free of racism and discrimination, and upholding the right to cultural safety of all children, and especially those who are Aboriginal persons or Torres Strait Island persons (the universal principle)

• creating and maintaining environments that prevent harm and reduce risk through strong governance, supervision and safe practices

• listening to, respecting, and taking seriously the voices of children and students 

• responding promptly and appropriately to concerns, disclosures, or allegations, including through fair and child‑centred processes

• complying with all legislative and regulatory child safety obligations, including mandatory reporting and the Reportable Conduct Scheme 

This commitment will be communicated to children, students, families and staff.  Pacific Lutheran College, Pacific Lutheran Early Learning Centre and Pacific Lutheran College Outside Hours School Care (OSHC) will maintain accessible pathways for raising concerns. 

We are committed to regular training and educating our workers (including staff, volunteers, contractors, and leaders) on child and cultural safety. 

We do not tolerate child abuse or harm, racism or discrimination. We will take the steps necessary in line with our policies, procedures, risk management practices and codes of conduct to ensure that we maintain child and culturally safe environments.

All workers (including staff, volunteers, contractors, and leaders) share responsibility for child safety and wellbeing and are expected to uphold this commitment in their roles.