Reportable Conduct Scheme in Victoria
Key Takeaways
What: Victoria has prescriptive child safety legislation under the Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 (Vic), which underpins the Child Safe Standards and the Reportable Conduct Scheme. Victoria introduced the Child Safe Standards in 2016 and amended them in 2022 to reflect the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations, adding an extra standard on cultural safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. The Reportable Conduct Scheme was rolled out across Victoria in 2017.
Why: Children and young people are inherently vulnerable to abuse and harm, and exposure may cause long-term trauma. The Commission for Children and Young People (CCYP) and other regulators were given increased enforcement powers in 2023 to monitor and enforce the Standards, oversee institutional responses to child abuse including investigations, commence own motion investigations and share information about reportable allegations.
How: Organisations that have the care, supervision or authority of children must comply with the Child Safe Standards and, where required, the Reportable Conduct Scheme, and take active steps to meet their duty of care to mitigate the risk of harm. Download the free Reportable Conduct Scheme Checklist for Victoria to assess your organisation’s compliance.
Victoria has prescriptive child safety legislation under the Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 (Vic) which underpins the Child Safe Standards and the Reportable Conduct Scheme.
Organisations must adhere to their legal obligations to comply with the Child Safe Standards and the Reportable Conduct Scheme if they are required to do so.
A snapshot of the Victorian child safety legislative landscape is below:
- In 2016, Victoria introduced the Child Safe Standards, and in 2022 the Child Safe Standards were amended to be reflective of The National Principles for Child Safe Organisations.
- Victoria has an additional standard that is focused on creating a culturally safe environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people. You can view them here.
- The Commission for Children and Young People (CCYP) together with other government regulators ensure that the Child Safe Standards are being implemented by organisations and properly complied with.
- In 2023, the CCYP and other government regulators were given increased enforcement powers to ensure that the Child Safe Standards are properly monitored and enforced
- In 2017, the Reportable Conduct Scheme was rolled out across Victoria
- The CCYP the Reportable Conduct Scheme and ensures independent oversight of institutional responses to child abuse including oversight of investigations.
- The CCYP may commence own motion investigations in some circumstances
- The CCYP and regulators have the capacity to share information in relation to reportable allegations and the investigation of child safety concerns
Click the button below to your free Reportable Conduct Scheme Checklist to assist your organisation to comply with its Child Safety and Safeguarding obligations and make your organisation a Safe Space for children and vulnerable people.
Children and young people are inherently vulnerable to abuse and harm. Children have a right to feel safe and be safe in all environments. Exposing children and young people to abuse and harm may cause long-term trauma and impact their growth and development. Organisations must take active steps to comply with their duty of care to mitigate risk of harm.
