ANDRISK MANAGEMENT STRATEGY2020

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Contents

What is the Child and Youth Risk Management Strategy? 3What are the requirements of the Child and Youth Risk Management Strategy? 3What does the Child and Youth Risk Management Strategylook like? 3Requirements 4

1. A statement of commitment to the safety and wellbeing of children and the protection of children from harm 4

2. A Code of Conduct for interacting with children 42.1 One on one contact with a student 42.2 Behaviour Management 42.3 Transport of children and young people 52.4 Change Rooms & Toilets 52.5 Managing injuries and illnesses 52.6 Visitor Policy 52.7 Organisational Standards 5

2.7.1 Equal Opportunities 5

2.8 General Safety 62.8.1 Physical Environment 62.8.2 Sun Safety 62.8.3 Risk and Compliance Management 6

3. Written procedures for recruiting, selecting, training and managing staff and volunteers 63.1 Teaching staff 73.2 Non-Teaching Staff 73.3 Volunteers 73.4 Non-School Organisation 73.5 Third Party Providers – onsite therapy in schools 83.6 Induction 8

4. Policies and procedures for handling disclosures or suspicions of harm, including reporting guidelines 85. A plan for managing breaches of the risk management strategy 96. Risk Management plans for high risk activities and special events 9

6.1 Curriculum Activity 96.2 School camps and excursions 96.3 Homestays 96.4 Overseas Excursions 96.5 Pyrotechnic and Firework Displays 9

7. Policies and procedures for managing compliance with the Blue Card System 107.1 Identification of who requires a blue card or exemption card 107.2 Contact Person 107.3 Managing blue card applications 107.4 Managing existing blue card holders 107.5 Managing changes in police information 107.6 Managing high-risk individuals 117.7 Employee Register 117.8 General 11

7.8.1 Additional Records 117.8.2 Annual Review of CYRMS 11

8. Strategies for communication and support 129. Visibility Requirements 1210. Weapons in Schools 12

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What is the Child and Youth Risk Management Strategy? The Child and Youth Risk Management Strategy forms part of the Blue Card prevention and monitoring system administered the Department of Justice and Attorney General Agency, Blue Card Services, which aims to create safe and supportive service environments for children and young people.

Under the provisions of the Working with Children Check (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000, and the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Regulation 2011 it is a requirement that regulated employers and businesses develop and implement risk management strategies to identify and minimise the risk of harm to children and young people in their service environment. The Diocese of Cairns, Catholic Education (hereafter referred to as Cairns Catholic Education) is a regulated employer under the legislation, where our schools are part of the service environment.

What are the requirements of the Child and Youth Risk Management Strategy?

To meet our legislative obligations, the Child and Youth Risk Management Strategy includes eight minimum requirements under key areas of service delivery.

These are:

Commitment 1. A statement of commitment to the safety and wellbeing of children and the protection of children from

harm2. A code of conduct for interacting with children

Capability 3. Written procedures for recruiting, selecting, training and managing staff and volunteers

Concerns 4. Policies and procedures for handling disclosures or suspicions of harm, including reporting guidelines5. A plan for managing breaches of your risk management strategy, and 6. Risk management plans for high risk activities and special events.

Consistency 7. Policies and procedures for managing compliance with the blue card system, and8. Strategies for communication and support

In addition to the mandatory requirements, Cairns Catholic Education has implemented further elements to ensure the safety of students and staff within the school environment, including procedures around Weapons in Schools and a Visibility in Schools Process and Checklist.

What does the Child and Youth Risk Management Strategy look like?

Cairns Catholic Education meets these eight requirements through policies, procedures and practices across a number of key areas, including:

• Our Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy • Our Student Protection Reporting Processes & Guidelines • Our Code of Conduct for Employees (reviewed - pending approval) • Our Workplace Health and Safety Policy

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Requirements

1. A statement of commitment to the safety and wellbeing of children and the protection of children from harmOur statement of commitment is contained within the Cairns Catholic Education Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy which governs the operation of our student protection procedures across the Diocese. This response is, in the first instance, inspired by the belief that every child and youth is made in the image of God and must be protected and treated with respect. Parents are the primary educators of their children, and this policy is an expression of our partnership with parents in providing for the safety and protection of all children.

The well-being of students within the Diocese is of paramount importance. The Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy guides the implementation of our student protection procedures, and we are committed to ensuring that all staff members, visiting service providers, contractors and volunteers follow these processes.

2. A Code of Conduct for interacting with childrenCairns Catholic Education has a Code of Conduct for Employees (reviewed – pending approval) which applies to all staff members and contactors, within Cairns Catholic Education, engaged on a casual, fixed term or continuing basis, either pursuant to a contract of employment or appointed to a role at the school pursuant to an agreement with a religious order.

The Code of Conduct for Parents and Volunteers defines their standards of conduct.

2.1 One on one contact with a studentStaff working with students in CES schools hold a special position of trust, care and authority with students. Staff are required to set clear professional boundaries in their interactions with students and ensure that they maintain appropriate physical, emotional and behavioural boundaries with students that are age and context appropriate. No staff member is required to work in isolation with a student that places the student and the staff member at risk.

2.2 Behaviour ManagementEach Cairns Catholic Education school community is required to develop a Student Positive Behaviour Support Plan and implement procedures for a whole school approach to support student behaviour in the school environment, involving all groups in the school community.

As defined in the Cairns Catholic Education Student Positive Behaviour Support Policy, the plan will reflect the shared values and expectations that guide the school’s approach to student behaviour support and to maintaining a supportive Catholic school environment.

The Student Behaviour Support Plan includes a student code of behaviour, guided by the Cairns Catholic Education Student Positive Behaviour Support Policy and the Cairns Catholic Education Guiding principles for school-based positive student behaviour and relationships support Guideline.

Cairns Catholic Education Services has developed the Engage Student Support System which supports schools to track the behaviour of students and uses data-based decision making to proactively support student’s behaviour.

Schools are required to use the Engage Student Support System registers to document:

• bullying/harassment incidents, • drug related incidents, • weapons incidents and all suspensions (both in school and out) for a period of one day or more.

Schools are required to note a part time suspension on the student’s school file.

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2.3 Transport of children and young people The Transporting Students: Use of Teachers’ & Parents’ Cars guideline provides procedural guidance to schools in relation to the transporting of children as defined below:

9. The Principal/school authority do not ask teachers or parents to transport students. Such a request is not explicit or implicit

10. Teachers or parents who volunteer to transport students are advised of the legal issues. 11. No payments are accepted by teachers or parents for transporting students. 12. Some school policies make it very clear that under no circumstances are school staff to transport

students in respect of any school or school related activity. 13. Additional clarification is sought from the guideline, Parents and Principal when this is being considered

as an option for transport

2.4 Change Rooms & ToiletsStaff members have a duty to take reasonable care for the safety and welfare of students in their care. Staff members are required to take all reasonable action to protect students from reasonably foreseeable risks of harm.

Staff members must follow safe work practices, comply with reasonable instructions and comply with Catholic Education policies and procedures for health and safety. A current review of existing school toilet facilities is being undertaken by Cairns Catholic Education Services.

2.5 Managing injuries and illnessesThe First Aid for schools procedure also provides details to enable provision and maintenance of adequate first aid facilities and personnel for the effective emergency management of injured or ill employees, students and others at schools and Cairns Catholic Education workplaces.

2.6 Visitor Policy All visitors are required to enter the school via the school office and administration area.

Visitors are asked to sign in on the visitor register which will record the visitor details, the times of the visit, and the contact person at the school.

A visitor pass or badge is issued which is expected to be worn at all times when at the school, and is returned when the visitor signs out. This is in alignment with the Volunteers – schools and CES Guidelines, Third Party Providers – onsite therapy in schools and Cairns Catholic Education Safety Rules for Contractors

2.7 Organisational Standards

2.7.1 Equal OpportunitiesCairns Catholic Education is committed to advancing equity in all of its activities and organisational culture. It has a legal and moral obligation to provide a workplace which reflects contemporary and best practices towards equity for all members of the Catholic Education workplace.

The Workplace Equity Policy has regard for backgrounds based on gender, race, ethnicity or cultural background, age, disability, parental status or other backgrounds that may give rise to potentially discriminatory practices.

Cairns Catholic Education is committed to the following principles to ensure workplace equity is encouraged and promoted:

• Regularly reviewing and revising policies and procedures to reflect contemporary and best practices towards workplace equity.

• Advancing workplace equity whilst being mindful of merit based principles. • Broadly developing a workplace reflective of the community it serves.

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2.8 General SafetyThe general safety of children and young people, not already covered within this document are detailed below.

2.8.1 Physical Environment

a. Visibility in Schools Process

The Visibility in Schools Checklist is completed in Term 1 and Term 3 each school year to ensure that any hazards and their associated risk are appropriately identified and managed. It is the responsibility of the Principal to ensure that the relevant steps have been taken to address all identified risks. It is the responsibility of all employees to ensure a visible and accountable school environment, and any visibility issues that are identified outside the inspection timeframes must be raised directly with the Principal. This is in alignment with CES Visibility Processes for Schools guideline.

b. Playgrounds: siting and purchase of equipment

Only specialist manufacturers providing equipment and accessories designed and manufactured to meet with Australian Standards for Playground Equipment (AS 4685 Parts 1 through to 6) – 2004 are considered. The site for proposed playground equipment is carefully assessed in accordance with the Cairns Catholic Education Playgrounds: sitting and purchase of equipment Guideline

2.8.2 Sun Safety All schools have a SunSmart Safety Policy assisted by the SunSmart Safety and Sample School Policy guideline document. Catholic schools accept that they have a responsibility to their students and have put into action all necessary procedures to afford students with protection through Sun Smart / Sun Safety practices.

2.8.3 Risk and Compliance ManagementCairns Catholic Education has adopted a structured and consistent approach to assess and treat all types of risk, at all levels and for all activities in the organization, and to meet all compliance requirements. The approach is consistent with the risk management standard AS/NZS ISO 31000:2009 and the compliance management standard AS ISO 19600:2015, as detailed in the Cairns Catholic Education Risk and Compliance Policy.

3. Written procedures for recruiting, selecting, training and managing staff and volunteers Recruitment processes within Cairns Catholic Education ensure a comprehensive practice is adopted when employing new staff that includes child safe processes embedded in the following:

1. Pre-Appointment

• Recruitment • Position Descriptions • Selection Criteria • Advertising the position

2. Selection

• Interview Process • Referee Checks • Probationary period of employment

3. Post-Appointment

• Training • Induction program • Ongoing staff management • Exit Interview or questionnaire

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Employment Screening procedures include:

• Obtaining copies of Mandatory accreditation documentation; • Referee Checks (specific student protection questions and suitability to work with children); • Structured interviews • Signed declaration: • Acceptance of the Statement of Principles and the Code of Conduct • Acceptance of the Employment Collection Notice

All Principals and Manages are expected to follow the processes as defined within the Cairns Catholic Education Recruitment and Selection Process for Principals and Managers Guideline

3.1 Teaching staffAll teachers employed in the Diocese of Cairns are registered with the Queensland College of Teachers. Original certificates of registration and qualifications are sighted upon employment and copies are stored in the school and in the teacher’s personnel file at Catholic Education Services. Principals are in-serviced with the process and procedures should there be concerns about staff conduct. The Professional Conduct, Ethics and Investigations Unit (also known as Professional Standards) also adhere to notification processes required by the Education (QLD College of Teachers) Act 2005, where allegations or complaints occur resulting in an investigation of harm or possible harm to a student.

3.2 Non-Teaching Staff All non-teaching staff and volunteers have been issued with a Blue Card by Blue Card Services, in accordance with the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000, unless an exemption applies. The school maintains a register of all non-teaching staff and volunteers’ Blue Card details, including number and renewal date. Details of non-teaching employees’ Blue Cards are also kept at Catholic Education Services within Human Resources Administration on a register and in each relevant individual’s personnel file. New non-teaching employees must have applied for a Blue Card prior to the commencement of work and may present the receipt received from the Commission as proof of their application. Legislation changes that come into effect in 2020 will introduce a No Card, No Start rule to be applied to paid staff as well as volunteers.

3.3 VolunteersAll volunteers are required to possess a current Blue Card prior to the commencement of work, unless they are parents of a child attending the school or an exemption applies. The school maintains a register of all non-teaching staff and volunteers’ Blue Card details, including number and renewal date. Details of non-teaching employees Blue Cards are also kept at Catholic Education Services on a register and within the staff members relevant personnel file. In the case where a Blue Card is not required, all our school’s ask that individuals sign a Volunteer Suitability Declaration form which is to be kept on file at the school.

3.4 Non-School OrganisationThere are a range of organisations that receive ‘Non-School Organisation’ state government funding to provide services to students with disabilities in the educational setting. These organisations have service agreements with Department of Education and Training (DET), including school visit protocols, and are often referred to as ‘NSO providers’. These include:

1. Autism Queensland 2. CPL 3. Vision Australia 4. ACCIST (Cairns Catholic & Independent Schools Therapy) 5. Hear & Say

These organisations provide services to students in Cairns Diocesan schools over time operating as part of the educational team to improve educational outcomes for verified students with disabilities.

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3.5 Third Party Providers – onsite therapy in schools Should Principals receive a request from third parties to use school facilities consideration must be given to:

• the impact on learning and teaching due to the student’s potential withdrawal from the classroom; • how the support provided aligns with the educational goals of the student; • the future likelihood of multiple service providers seeking access to multiple students and the impact

this would have on school resources and interruption to learning and teaching.

Third Party Providers will only be provided to students in school time under the following extenuating circumstances:

• The principal in consultation with the school’s Diverse Learning Team assesses that the intervention requested aligns with the educational goals of the student.

• The particular needs of rural and remote schools accessing service providers.

If there is an agreement between the school and the provider to provide a service to a student then a formal induction process is actioned by the school as detailed in the Third Party Providers – onsite therapy in schools Guideline

3.6 InductionAll new staff members are provided with an induction upon commencement of duties. For school staff, this process is undertaken through the guidance of the Principal or delegate via the Employee Induction – Guidelines for Principals and the Employee Induction Checklist Booklet.

For Catholic Education staff, a structured framework guides the induction of new staff.

It is a requirement that all new staff members complete Mandatory Student Protection Induction Online Training as soon as practical after being appointed to a teaching or non-teaching position. This is available to all staff once their employment has commenced.

4. Policies and procedures for handling disclosures or suspicions of harm, including reporting guidelinesAll school staff are required to follow the Student Protection Processes and Guidelines document in relation to reporting:

• Suspected/likely sexual abuse of a student to QLD Police Service • Reportable suspicion to Child Safety Services (physical or sexual abuse) • Reasonable suspicion to Child Safety Services (neglect or emotional abuse) • Inappropriate behaviour by a staff member, other employee or volunteer towards a student/s.

The Student Protection Processes and Guidelines document includes the following information:

• Harm definition • Indicators of harm (or other concerns for a student’s wellbeing) • reasonable suspicion of harm definition • identification, reporting and recording a disclosure or reasonable suspicion of harm • Mandatory reporting obligations • Non-mandatory reporting obligations • Guidance to respond to concerns for a student’s wellbeing that do not meet a threshold for a report to a

statutory authority.

These procedures meet the legislative requirements of the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006 , Child Protection Act 1999 and the Education (Accreditation of Non-State Schools) Regulation 2001.

All staff receive regular training and professional development in relation to the student protection policy and procedure, including:

• Online Mandatory Student Protection Induction Training • Annual staff in-service facilitated by individual school sites

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5. A plan for managing breaches of the risk management strategy For the purposes of this strategy, a breach is any action or inaction by a staff member within Catholic Education that fails to comply with any part of the Child and Youth Risk Management Strategy. Allegations of breaches of the Child and Youth Management Strategy are managed under the principles of procedural fairness and natural justice via the Grievance Policy. Breaches of the strategy are managed by processes defined within the Cairns Catholic Education Employee Misconduct & Investigation Processes, also in alignment with management of breaches of the Code of Conduct and Student Protection Processes and Guidelines.

6. Risk Management plans for high risk activities and special events A Planning Process for High Risk Activities and Special Events foreseen as high-risk activities conducted within Diocesan schools are broadly arranged into the following types and respective control measures:

6.1 Curriculum Activity Curriculum activities are planned using the Diocesan Learning Profile. Risk assessments for these activities are conducted utilising the Department of Education and Training Curriculum Activity Risk Assessment. The Principal is responsible for the completion and implementation of these risk assessments. All Principals are mandated to complete Curriculum Activity Risk Assessments for high risk activities, and are encouraged to require them to be completed for medium risk activities.

6.2 School camps and excursions All Cairns Catholic schools adhere to the Excursions and school camps guidelines document. The school Principal is delegated to approve all excursions and school camps. The Principal will ensure that the activity is consistent with CES and school policies and procedures, legal requirements, and the school’s duty of care.

6.3 HomestaysHomestays with local families can be a very positive and enriching experience for students, particularly when it involves immersion in a cross-cultural experience. However, there are additional risks associated with this activity and these are assessed beforehand and actively managed during the homestay by the staff organisers.

In recognition of these risk factors homestay arrangements are only approved for students in Years 9-12 and only after prior approval by the CES Executive Director. This applies to Cairns Catholic school students involved in homestays (domestic and international), as well as domestic and international students involved in homestays associated with Cairns Catholic schools. Approvals require compliance with a three-step approval process to be undertaken by the organising or host school as detailed in the Homestay Guideline document.

6.4 Overseas ExcursionsCairns Catholic Education recognises the additional responsibility and level of care that must be undertaken when students are taken by their school on overseas excursions and activities. There are additional requirements for the planning of excursions of this nature to ensure that legal obligations are met and that Catholic values are upheld in what is undertaken. There is a formal procedure for obtaining the necessary approval for excursions of this kind. The Overseas Excursion Guideline supplements the guideline for domestic excursions and school camps. In doing so it recognizes the additional levels of planning, organization, risk assessment and management, and approval required for overseas visits

6.5 Pyrotechnic and Firework DisplaysThe Cairns Catholic Education Pyrotechnic and Firework Displays Guideline applies to all personnel intending to conduct outdoor pyrotechnic and firework displays on any premises or facilities of the Diocese of Cairns or any of its components.

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7. Policies and procedures for managing compliance with the Blue Card System As per the requirements with the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000, Employee Blue Cards are monitored through the Blue Card Registers at the school level, and through the Blue Card Register maintained through Catholic Education Services. Monitoring of Blue Card status is ongoing, with communication between Catholic Education Services and Diocesan schools to ensure the appropriate renewal and application processes are followed. Further information regarding Blue Card requirements and processes can be obtained from the QLD Government Blue Card Services website.

7.1 Identification of who requires a blue card or exemption cardIt is important to recognise that blue card screening requirements do not apply to every environment a child may be present. The blue card system is structured so that organisations providing services which are essential to children’s development and wellbeing, such as child care, education, sport, and cultural activities are captured. Further information in relation to who requires a blue card can be sourced from the Blue Card Service website.

7.2 Contact PersonThere is at least one designated contact person per school who is responsible for:

1. Managing blue cards and exemption cards2. Listed as the contact person in the Blue Card application form3. The person who Blue Card Services will send notifications to and4. The only person Blue Card Services can discuss a staff member’s or volunteers blue card status with

unless additional authorisation is provided

7.3 Managing blue card applicationsAll applicants are informed that by signing the application form they are consenting to the screening process.

The school ensures that the authorised contact person has certified and sighted documents to confirm an employee’s identity as prescribed under the Act. Applications are carefully checked to ensure all sections have been appropriately completed and are aware that while paid employees can commence employment after an application form has been submitted, volunteers and trainee students must not commence regulated employment until they hold a valid blue card and positive notice.

We explicitly warn potential staff (paid employees, volunteers and students) that it is an offence for a ‘disqualified person’ to sign a blue card application form or a renewal form.

7.4 Managing existing blue card holdersIf a person joins a school and already has a blue card, there are processes in place to

• Verify the validity of the blue card, AND • If the person holds a paid blue card Lodge an Authorisation to confirm a valid card/application form

with Blue Card Services. This will ensure that our school receives important notifications in relation to the blue card holder, including that the card has been cancelled or suspended.

• If the person holds a volunteer blue card and will be undertaking paid employment in our school, a Volunteer to paid transfer form needs to be lodged with Blue Card Services. This will transfer their card from volunteer to paid status and will ensure that we receive important notifications in relation to the blue card holder, including that the card has been cancelled or suspended.

• If a person ceases working with us, we lodge an Applicant/cardholder no longer with organisation (for organisations) form to advise Blue Card Services immediately.

7.5 Managing changes in police informationStaff and volunteers understand their obligation to advise the school if there is a change in their police information. Staff and volunteers are not required to disclose the specific nature of the change, only that a change has occurred, and we have processes in place to ensure that a Change in police information notification is submitted to Blue Card Services.

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7.6 Managing high-risk individualsProcesses are in place for managing notifications from Blue Card Services in relation to high-risk individuals, for example:

• an employee receives a negative notice or is a known disqualified person, or • an employee has their blue card or exemption card cancelled or suspended, or • an employee has their blue card application withdrawn, or • a notification in relation to a serious change in criminal history is received from Blue Card Services.

Important Note

On 16 May 2019, the Queensland Parliament passed the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2019. The amendments contain a number of changes to the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000. This includes changes already implemented to the list of disqualification and serious offences. The No Card, No Start policy is pending commencement and, will require all volunteers and paid staff to receive a positive notice prior to commencement of employment.

7.7 Employee RegisterAs part of our Child and Youth Risk Management Strategy, our schools have established and maintained an employee register which is a written record of paid employees and volunteers involved in child-related activities within the school environment. It includes:

• Whether the person requires a blue/exemption card (if not, why not – e.g. an exemption applies under the Act)

• The type of application/blue card (e.g. paid or volunteer) or exemption card • Whether the person applied and/or the date of issue of the positive notice and blue/exemption card • The blue/exemption card number and the expiry date of the blue card and • The renewal date

Any employees or volunteers that enter a Catholic school with a blue card, will have their card verified with Blue Card Services.

If an employee has had a card cancelled or suspended or receives a negative notice after a change in police information we ensure the employee does not continue to undertake child-related work within our organisation (work that is regulated by the Act).

7.8 General

7.8.1 Additional RecordsAll Catholic schools and Catholic Education Services ensure that appropriate and confidential records in relation to the following are maintained:

• whether a negative notice has been issued • any change in status to a blue/exemption card or exemption card (such as a change in police

information, or the cancellation or suspension of a blue/exemption card) • where there is a change in police information, the date Blue Card Services was informed of the change • where an employee leaves the school the date Blue Card Services was informed, and • any change to the employee’s/volunteer’s personal information, including the date they informed Blue

Card Services

7.8.2 Annual Review of CYRMSAn annual review of the Child and Youth Risk Management Strategy is also undertaken by Catholic Education Services including the consideration of:

a) Whether policies and/or procedures were followed in responding to child protection matters

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b) Whether any incidents occurred relating to children and young peoplec) The actual processes used to manage incidentsd) A review after an incident where a child has been harmed or is at risk of harm or a breach of the strategy

has occurrede) The effectiveness of the policies and procedures in preventing or minimising harm to children and

young people andf ) The content and frequency of training in relation to the Child and Youth Risk Management Strategy.

8. Strategies for communication and support The Diocese of Cairns utilises many mechanisms to ensure awareness for staff, students and families around Student Protection Processes and the Child and Youth Risk Management Strategy, including:

• School Student Protection Contacts posters within schools • Provision of a publicly available Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy and Student Protection

Processes and Guidelines on each school website via the Student Protection Icon • Training and Professional Development for staff, including but not limited to Mandatory Student

Protection Reporting Obligations Induction, Student Protection School Based In-service, and the Code of Conduct. These resources and strategies are continually reviewed to ensure optimal communication and awareness.

9. Visibility RequirementsCairns Catholic Education is committed to safe and accountable environments for staff and students, with visibility in the school environment a high priority. Schools are required to ensure that visibility risks are identified and managed accordingly, these include but are not limited to:

• Ensuring all doors have glass inserts or there is visibility provided via another means (i.e. windows); • Identifying areas in playgrounds where there is lack of visibility; • Ensuring visibility into all classrooms. • Completing the Visibility in Schools Checklist twice a year

10. Weapons in SchoolsThe Executive Director of Cairns Catholic Education has directed Principals to make it known in their school communities that, under NO circumstances are weapons (including knives) to be brought to school by students. Students who fail to adhere to this will be dealt with under Cairns Catholic Education’s Student Management –Detention, Suspension and Exclusion procedural document and in accordance with any legislated or organisational requirements within the Student Protection Processes and Guidelines document. The Student Management – suspension and exclusion Policy underpins these procedural documents.

Implementation responsibilities for schoolsIn order to comply with the Child and Youth Risk Management Strategy, schools are required to follow and implement the requirements as detailed within this document with the assistance of Catholic Education Services, including:

• Ensuring that all relevant policies and procedures are followed, for example the Student Protection Reporting Processes and Guidelines

• Ensuring that all school staff receive training and guidance in applicable areas • Ensuring that risk management plans are developed and implemented for all high-risk activities

Should you have any questions regarding the Child and Youth Risk Management Strategy, please contact Professional Standards at Cairns Catholic Education Services.

professionalstandards@cns.catholic.edu.au