Policy
The purpose of this policy is to ensure all department employees (including all school-based employees) and school councils notify the relevant departmental officer where there is an allegation of reportable conduct.
Summary
- Principals must notify the Employee Conduct Branch as soon as possible after becoming aware of a reportable conduct allegation involving any employees, contractors, volunteers (including parents), allied health staff and school council employees.
- The Employee Conduct Branch will assess the allegations and report them to the Commission for Children and Young People, if appropriate.
- The Reportable Conduct Scheme does not change or replace other reporting obligations such as mandatory reporting.
Details
The Reportable Conduct Scheme is a child safety mechanism introduced as a result of the Betrayal of report. The Reportable Conduct Scheme complements the Child Safe Standards and other existing child safety measures.
Department policy is that the department's Employee Conduct Branch has responsibility for reporting any allegations of ‘reportable conduct’ raised against department employees, volunteers and school council employees who are 18 years or over to the Commission for Children and Young People (CCYP), on behalf of the department.
There is an allegation of reportable conduct where a person has a reasonable belief that there has been:
- a sexual offence, sexual misconduct or physical violence committed against, with or in the presence of a child
- behaviour causing significant emotional or psychological harm to a child
- significant neglect of a child, or misconduct involving any of the above
Principals and VPS managers should notify the Employee Conduct Branch as soon as possible after becoming aware of a reportable allegation, so that the Employee Conduct Branch can assess the allegations and report them to the CCYP, if appropriate. Where allegations relate to a contractor and may not require notification to the CCYP the Employee Conduct Branch should be contacted for advice.
Principals must still contact Victoria Police if they suspect a criminal offence involving a child has occurred.
The Scheme does not change a principal’s mandatory reporting or other reporting responsibilities.
Below is the appropriate reporting mechanism within the department to ensure appropriate notification to the CCYP under the Scheme.
Reporter | Person allegations made against | Who to make an immediate report to |
---|---|---|
Principal | Teachers, other employees, contractors, volunteers (including parents), school council employees | Employee Conduct Branch Tel: 03 7022 0005 |
School based employees, contractors, volunteers (including parents), school council employees | Any person working at a school including principal class officers, teachers, contractors, volunteers, or school council employees | Principal or acting principal |
Teachers, contractors, volunteers (including parents), school council employees | Principal (or acting principal) | Regional director, refer to: Office |
Non-school based employees including Victorian Public Service employees | Any person working within the department including non-school based employees, principal class officers, teachers, contractors, volunteers, or school council employees | Employee Conduct Branch Tel: 03 7022 0005 |
Any person | Secretary of the department (or the person authorised to act on the Secretary's behalf) | CCYP Tel: 1300 782 978 |
School Councils
School councils are not required to report allegations to the CCYP directly. Rather, school councils should instruct the principal, as the executive officer of the school council, to notify the Employee Conduct Branch as soon as possible after becoming aware of a reportable allegation, so that the Employee Conduct Branch can assess the allegations and report them to the CCYP, if appropriate.
Related policies
- Protecting Children – Reporting and other Legal Obligations
- Child Safe Standards
- Complaints, Misconduct and Unsatisfactory Performance – Teaching Service
- Working with Children and Other Suitability Checks for School Volunteers and Visitors
Relevant legislation
Reviewed 30 November 2022