Child Protection
Child Safety at William Clarke College
As a Christ-centred community, William Clarke College is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment where students can flourish as extraordinary learners.
The safety, wellbeing and dignity of every child in our care is paramount and underpins all aspects of our child safeguarding practices. Every student at William Clarke College has the right to feel safe, be safe and be heard. Creating and maintaining a child-safe culture is a shared responsibility of all staff, volunteers and contractors.
We are committed to being a child-safe organisation. We actively uphold our obligations under the NSW Child Safe Standards and the requirements of the NSW Office of the Children's Guardian, continually strengthening our practices through education, training and review.
William Clarke College has zero tolerance for child abuse of any kind, bullying, harmful behaviour or any conduct that places a child at risk. We are committed to fostering a culture where children are respected, valued, protected and empowered to speak up.
Reporting a Child Safety Concern
If you have a concern about the safety, welfare or wellbeing of a child or young person, please report it immediately to the Head of College.
This includes concerns, complaints or allegations involving staff misconduct or reportable conduct. If you are unsure whether a matter is related to child protection, we encourage you to report it anyway. It is always better to raise a concern than to remain silent.
Worried about a child? Report it – even if you are not sure.
Email the Head of College by direct correspondence at Head@wcc.nsw.edu.au.
If your concern involves the Head of College, contact the Chair of College Council by direct correspondence at chair@wcc.nsw.edu.au
If an emergency, or if a child is in immediate danger, call 000.
Information for students
If something has happened to you, or to a friend, that makes you feel unsafe - tell a trusted adult. This could be a teacher, your Head of Sub-School, the College Chaplain, College Counsellor, or the Head of College.
You will be listened to, taken seriously, and supported. You will not get in trouble for speaking up about a safety concern.
How we keep our students safe
We support the safety and wellbeing of our students by:
- regularly reviewing and improving our child protection policies and procedures.
- providing annual child protection training for all staff.
- requiring staff, volunteers and contractors to follow a Code of Conduct that sets clear expectations for appropriate behaviour with children, both in person and online.
- listening to students, families and staff and involving them in strengthening our child-safe practices.
- maintaining a dedicated Child Safety Team, led by the Head of College, to oversee the implementation of our child safety commitments and Child Protection Policy.
Reportable Conduct
Allegations involving staff misconduct or reportable conduct are managed differently from other complaints. The College has legal obligations to investigate and, where required, report certain matters (reportable conduct) to external authorities.
Staff misconduct may include breaches of professional boundaries, the College Code of Conduct, or expected standards of behaviour.Reportable conduct is defined under NSW legislation and includes:
- a sexual offence or sexual misconduct
- an assault against a child
- ill-treatment or neglect of a child
- failure to protect or report a child protection concern (Crimes Act 1900, ss 43B and 316A); and
- behaviour that causes significant emotional or psychological harm to a child.
William Clarke College takes all concerns seriously and responds promptly, fairly and in accordance with its legal and child safeguarding responsibilities.
If you are unsure whether a matter may be reportable conduct, report it and allow the College to assess the concern. In some circumstances, individuals may also have mandatory reporting obligations to the NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ).
Other concerns and complaints
Not every concern is a child protection matter. General complaints about wellbeing, behaviour or College operations or decisions are managed under our our Complaints Policy. If you are unsure which process applies, please contact us. We will help you identify the appropriate pathway and support you in raising your concern.
National Redress Scheme
Since December 2019, the Council of William Clarke College is a participating institution in the National Redress Scheme and a member of the Anglican Participating Group in accordance with the Scheme legislation. The National Redress Scheme provides support to people who have experienced institutional child sexual abuse. The Scheme can provide access to counselling, a payment, and a direct personal response (such as an apology) from the institution.
To access the Scheme, visit nationalredress.gov.au or call 1800 737 377. Free, confidential support is available whether or not you decide to make an application.
