A programme for injury prevention in schools

School Safe is an initiative originally developed by the Victorian Division of the Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Australia. It was developed in 1991 in recognition that schools are the second most common injury site for children. Fundamental to School Safe is the knowledge that most of these accidents are preventable. Kidsafe ACT is supporting the School Safe initiative throughout ACT schools, beginning with primary schools, with the financial support of Healthpact as sponsor.

Who is Kidsafe?
Kidsafe - The Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Australia is a not-for-profit, non government organisation that relies upon sponsorship, donations, fundraising and grants from both Governments and the private sector for its funding. It was established in 1979 as a result of the knowledge that children are being injured and that nearly every accident is preventable. It was funded initially by grants from Federal and State governments, corporations, and by donations. The main goal of Kidsafe has been to reduce the number and severity of preventable injuries to children.

Healthpact has provided the ACT Division of Kidsafe with funding for the development of School Safe in the ACT. This funding initially enabled a pilot programme to be conducted with three ACT primary schools and their experience s to be recorded as a resource for other schools. Healthpact’s continuing support is now allowing the program to be expanded progressively across all ACT primary schools.