Reportable Conduct Scheme
– Western Australia
Western Australia is guided by the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations however has not yet implemented the Principles into legislation. Western Australia has a Reportable Conduct Scheme which commenced with the enactment of the Parliamentary Commissioner Amendment (Reportable Conduct) Act 2022 (WA) in 2023.
A summary of the Western Australia child safety legislative landscape is outlined below:
- Currently Western Australia has not enacted the National Principles into legislation, however the Western Australia Department of Communities is working to develop an independent oversight system that includes monitoring and enforcing the National Principles.
- Organisations across Western Australia that engage with children and young people should implement the National Principles to ensure that organisations are exercising best practice in child safety and mitigate the risk of harm to children and young people.
- In 2023 Western Australia implemented a Reportable Conduct Scheme, and from 2024 the Reportable Conduct Scheme has been expanded to include additional types of reportable conduct under the Scheme.
- The Reportable Conduct Scheme requires heads of organisations that exercise care, supervision or authority over children to notify the Ombudsman of allegations or convictions of child abuse by their employees and to investigate these allegations.
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.