Full course description
Date and time
Wednesday 29 April 2026, 7.30 am to 9.00 am
Delivery mode
Online
Audience
Board Members and Senior Leadership
Cost
Course Fees: Free event for ISV Members
Description
The ChildSafe Briefing for Boards and Leadership Teams is a strategic session designed for board members, principals and senior leaders within independent schools to strengthen governance and leadership responsibilities for child safety. The briefing explores how school leadership shapes a culture where the safety and wellbeing of students is prioritised across all areas of the school community. Participants examine the Child Safe Standards and the practical systems, policies and governance practices required to embed child safety within school operations, decision-making and oversight. The session supports school leaders to understand their accountability in creating environments where students feel safe, staff are supported to act appropriately, and child safety is consistently reflected in the school’s culture, policies and daily practice.
Key takeaways
- Understand the governance and leadership responsibilities of school boards and senior leadership teams in relation to student safety and wellbeing.
- Identify how the Child Safe Standards apply within an independent school context.
- Recognise the role of school leadership in shaping a culture where child safety is prioritised across the school community.
- Understand key reporting obligations and oversight responsibilities relating to child safety concerns or incidents.
Participants who successfully complete the program will be awarded a ChildSafe Certificate of Completion (in partnership with Independent Schools Victoria), recognising their engagement in professional learning relevant to their role in supporting child safety and wellbeing in a school setting.
The certificate reflects the development of knowledge and capability in child safety responsibilities, appropriate behaviours, and responding to concerns
Presenter information
Kathryn Christodoulou
Kathryn specialises in developing and implementing Child Safety policies, procedures and training across a wide range of organisations. Kathryn is also experienced in processes for complaints handling, incident response, reportable conduct and misconduct investigations, compliance, recruitment and screening. Kathryn has a wealth of experience in the implementation of Child Safe Standards in organisations that operate nationally to comply across all jurisdictions.
Organisations she has worked with to deliver on their Child Safety objectives include CFA Victoria, Belgravia Leisure, Elevate Education, Melaleuca Australia, The Embrace Collective, Kids Under Cover and the NSW Inspector General of Custodial Services. Kathryn is also part of The NSW Guardian Children’s Resources Working Group and Community of Practice for faith-based organisations and was involved in gathering materials and writing submissions for the Royal Commission into Institutional Child Sexual Abuse and Annual Reporting to the National Office of Child Safety.