Glossary and Acronyms

Aboriginal

The term ‘Aboriginal’ in this guide is inclusive of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Child

Child abuse

The words ‘child’ and ‘children’ in this guide refers to children and young people up to the age of 18 years.

Child abuse has the same meaning as it has in the Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005. Child abuse includes: a. any act committed against a child involving I. (i) a sexual offence; or II. (ii) an offence under section 49M(1) of the Crimes Act 1958; and b. the infliction, on a child, of –I. (i) physical violence; or II. (ii) serious emotional or psychological harm; and c. the serious neglect of a child.

Child connected work child-connected work means: a. work authorised by the school governing authority and performed by an adult in a school environment while children are present or reasonably expected to be present; or b. for the purposes of a school boarding premises, work authorised by the provider of school boarding services in a school boarding premises environment while children are present or reasonably expected to be present.

Children from culturally and / or linguistically diverse backgrounds

child or young person who identifies as having particular cultural or linguistic affiliations by virtue of their place of birth, ancestry or ethnic origin, religion, preferred language or language spoken at home or because of their parents’ identification on a similar basis.

Child safety

Child safety includes matters related to protecting all children from child abuse, managing the risk of child abuse, providing support to a child at risk of child abuse, and responding to suspicions, incidents, disclosures or allegations of child abuse.

Child safe organisation In the context of the Child Safe Standards, a child safe organisation is one that meets the Child Safe Standards by proactively taking measures to protect children from abuse.

Cultural safety for Aboriginal children

Children with a disability

CYCP

The positive recognition and celebration of cultures. It is more than just the absence of racism or discrimination, and more than cultural awareness and cultural sensitivity.

A disability can be any physical, sensory, neurological disability, acquired brain injury or intellectual disability or developmental delay that affects a child’s ability to undertake everyday activities. A disability can occur at any time in life. Children can be born with a disability or acquire a disability suddenly through an injury or illness. Some disabilities may be obvious while others are hidden.

CYCP means the Commission for Children and Young People.

Mandatory Reporter Mandatory reporter has the meaning given to it by section 182 of the CYF Act. It includes but is not limited to registered teachers (including early childhood teachers), staff with post-secondary qualifications employed in the care, education or minding of children, school principals, registered nurses, students in training to become teachers (who have been granted permission to teach under relevant legislation), registered psychologists, out of home care workers, early childhood workers and any other person referred to in section 182 of the CYF Act.

Grooming

Grooming is defined in the Crimes Act 1958 (Vic) and refers to communication, by words or conduct, between an adult and a child with the intention of facilitating the commission of a sexual offence involving the child. Grooming may be identified by attempts being made at establishing an intimate relationship with, befriending or influencing a child (or, in some circumstances, members of the child’s family). In this respect, grooming involves psychological manipulation that is usually very subtle, drawn out, calculated, controlling and premeditated (Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry 2013).

Organisation The Child Safety and Wellbeing Act 2005 (the Act) will provide that the standards apply to ‘applicable entities’, which are defined in the Act as: • an incorporated body or association • an unincorporated body or association (however structured) • an individual who carries on a business and engages contractors, employees or volunteers to assist in the business in providing services or facilities.

Reportable Conduct Reportable conduct means: • A sexual offence committed against, with or in the presence of, a child. • Sexual misconduct, committed against, with or in the presence, of a child. • Physical violence committed against, with or in the presence of, a child. • Any behaviour that causes significant emotional or psychological harm to a child. • Significant neglect of a child. In the above definition, ‘child’ has the meaning given in the CWS Act.

School environment School environment means any of the following physical, online or virtual places, used during or outside school hours: a. a campus of the school; b. online or virtual school environments made available or authorised by the school governing authority for use by a child or student (including email, intranet systems, software applications, collaboration tools, and online services); and c. other locations provided by the school or through a third-party provider for a child or student to use including, but not limited to, locations used for: — camps; — approved homestay accommodation; —delivery of education and training such as registered training organisations, TAFEs, non-school senior secondary providers or another school; or — sporting events, excursions, competitions or other events.

Student-connected work

Volunteer

VIT

VRQA

WWCC

Student-connected work means work authorised by the School and performed by an adult in a school environment while children or young people are present or reasonably expected to be present.

Volunteer means a person who performs work without remuneration or reward for the school or school boarding premises in the school environment or school boarding premises environment.

VIT means the Victorian Institute of Teaching.

VRQA means the Victorian Registration & Qualifications Authority.

WWCC means Working with Children Check.

For further explanation or definitions please refer Ministerial Order No. 1359.