Policies

St Dominic’s Priory College is actively committed to fostering communities of safeguarding that recognise and uphold the dignity and rights of all children and young people.
Every person within St Dominic’s Priory College who comes into contact, or works with children and young people seeks to uphold their dignity and commits to establishing safe and supportive relationships.

The College encourages open communication whereby families and communities are informed of relevant issues and participate in decisions about the safety of children. It is particularly important to look for avenues to empower children to have a say and be listened to.
We plan, organise and review all activities with children proactively, considering potential risks. The College strives to ensure risks are reduced, and eliminated where possible.
The College actively seeks to become and remain informed of the causes and signs of child abuse and neglect.

St Dominic’s Priory College has documented policies and procedures to prevent risks to children and build a strong culture of safeguarding. All religious, lay persons, staff, and volunteers and visitors are expected to follow these policies and procedures and contribute to the culture of care and protection of all children.
We regularly undertake internal and external auditing of our safeguarding policies and practises. This is to ensure our policies and procedures place the needs and safety of children and young people at the centre of our thinking and actions.
We listen to the voices of children and young people, as we constantly strive to remain vigilant and make improvements to our practices.

Anyone who brings forward suspicion, concerns, knowledge or allegation of current or past abuse of a child to a member of the St Dominic’s Priory College Leadership Team, can be assured it will be responded to sensitively, respectfully, actively and in a timely manner. This is in line with our lawful obligations and in line with policies and procedures developed at a National, State, System, Governing Authority and school level.
When we receive information about concerns or witness any matter relating to abuse of a child, we respond appropriately and report any such concerns to the appropriate authority. This will include contacting the police, where there may be immediate risk of harm to any child, young person or person.