Child Safety

Global Education Network is committed to the safety and wellbeing of every child and young person who takes part in our programs.

We have zero tolerance for child abuse. We take every concern seriously and act on it.

Many of our programs involve students travelling away from home, living with host families and learning in unfamiliar places. We recognise that this brings particular responsibilities. We aim to make every study tour, school placement and student-buddy program a safe, supportive and respectful experience, where young people can learn and thrive.

This statement applies to everyone who works with children and young people on our behalf. That includes staff, contractors, tour leaders, volunteers, homestay hosts and partner organisations.

We are a Victorian company, and we align our approach with the 11 Victorian Child Safe Standards, which took effect on 1 July 2022.

1. Culturally safe for Aboriginal children and young people. We respect and value the identities and experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people, and act against racism.
2. Leadership and culture. Child safety is a responsibility of GlobalEN's leadership and is built into how we plan and run every program.
3. Children and young people are heard. We tell students about their rights, including how to raise a concern, and we take what they tell us seriously.
4. Families are involved. We give parents and carers clear information about each program, including supervision arrangements and how to contact us.
5. Equity and diverse needs. We respect the cultural, linguistic and individual needs of every student, including students with disability and students from overseas.
6. Suitable people. We screen everyone who works with students on our behalf and make sure they understand our expectations.
7. Child-focused complaints. We make it simple for students, families and others to raise concerns, and we respond promptly and fairly.
8. Knowledge and training. People who work with students on our programs are briefed on child safety, including how to recognise and respond to concerns.
9. Safe physical and online environments. We plan activities, accommodation, transport and online communication to reduce the risk of harm.
10. Review and improvement. We review our child safety practices regularly and after any incident.
11. Documented policies. Our child safety policies and procedures are written down and available to the people who need them.

• Screening. Everyone who works with students on our behalf, including staff, tour leaders and volunteers, must hold a current Working with Children Check, or the equivalent check where the program takes place, before they start. We also check references.
• Homestays. Host families are interviewed and their homes visited before any student is placed with them. Every adult living in the household must hold a current Working with Children Check or equivalent. We stay in regular contact with students and hosts throughout each placement.
• Supervision. Every program has a written supervision plan. The plan sets adult-to-student ratios that suit the students' ages, the activities and the setting, and we never leave students without an identified responsible adult.
• Consent and information. A parent or carer must give written consent before a student joins a program. We collect emergency contact, medical and dietary information in advance and make sure it is available to the people responsible for the student.
• 24-hour contact. During every program, students, families and host families can reach a responsible GlobalEN contact at any time, day or night.
• Safety briefings. At the start of each program, students are told what to expect, the rules that keep them safe, and who they can talk to if they feel worried or unsafe.
• Photos and videos. We only photograph or film students with their parent's or carer's consent. We never publish an image that identifies a student, or their name, without that permission.

Everyone who works with children and young people on our behalf must follow this code. It applies during all program activities, including travel, accommodation, school placements, social events, and online and phone communication.

If something happens that makes you feel unsafe, scared or uncomfortable, it is never your fault, and you will not get in trouble for telling someone.

Tell your tour leader, your teacher, your host family or any adult you trust. You can also email us. We will listen, and we will help.

This statement was adopted by Global Education Network Pty Ltd on 23 September 2026. It is reviewed every year, and after any incident. Last reviewed: 23 September 2026.