VICSES’ approach to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people

VICSES’ approach to child safety and wellbeing is informed by the Victorian Child Safe Standards, which exist as part of the Child Wellbeing and Safety Act (2005) Vic.

The Standards support organisations to promote the safety of children and young people by requiring them to implement policies to prevent, report and respond to allegations of child abuse and harm.

Statement of commitment

Children have a fundamental right to be safe from any form of abuse or neglect. Protecting children involves legal as well as universal moral obligations.

Child protection is the responsibility of all VICSES members and external providers, particularly if the function of their job includes, or is likely to include, providing services directed towards children or the conduct of activities involving children.

VICSES is committed to being a child safe organisation. At VICSES we support the safety, participation, wellbeing and empowerment of children we seek to ensure the safety of children involved in all VICSES activities. It is responsibility of all members to comply with the Child Safety Policy, and act in accordance with the Child Safety Code of Conduct, which are all available in Child Safety references below.

VICSES will:

• Create a child safe organisation
• Promote best interests and protection of children
• Ensure easily accessible and understood reporting procedures
• Ensure strict screening procedures for all members
• Promote good training and supervision procedures
• Empower / encourage children to express views and provide feedback

For further information or to report any unsafe acts towards children please email the Child Safety Officer at childsafety@ses.vic.gov.au.

Child Safety Code of Conduct (PDF 133kb)
Victorian Child Safety Standards Factsheet (PDF 143kb)

Junior members are probationary members aged from 15 years up to 18 years. 

They are entitled to complete the same level of training and receive the same Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment as other members, and are able to attend some operational activities under supervision, in a controlled environment. 

We are a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), which means that all of our training courses are nationally recognised. Each course you undertake can be utilised to assist you with further employment or expanding your learning.

As a VICSES junior member, you may be exposed to a number of scenarios including: 

• General rescue 
• Storm response 
• Flood response 
• Community engagement

Each VICSES unit is different in its size, complexity and the roles that it fulfils. 

We invite you to watch this introductory video for parents, guardians and junior members highlighting the organisations commitment to child safety and further details of junior membership.