DPFEM is proud to be a

Child and Youth Safe Organisation

Do you suspect Reportable Conduct by someone at DPFEM?

Report your concern now by completing a DPFEM Reportable Conduct Incident Report.
Report a Concern

DPFEM is committed to Child Safety.

DPFEM has implemented Tasmania's Child and Youth Safe Organisations Framework in line with legislation.

We are committed to being a child safe organisation, placing the rights of children and young people at the centre of our thoughts, values and actions.

We will actively inform and involve children and young people on decisions that affect them, and we commit to listening to and championing their voice.

What is the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Framework?

For children and young people to be safe in our community, they need to be safe in our organisations. Tasmania's Child and Youth Safe Organisations Framework applies to Tasmanian organisations that engage with children and young people and sets clear expectations for:

  • how organisations prioritise and promote the safety and wellbeing of children and young people,
  • how they respond to concerns about a worker's behaviour towards children and young people,
  • independent oversight to ensure organisations fulfil their obligations under the Framework, and
  • protocols around sharing information concerning a worker's conduct towards a child or young person.

"The Framework is about putting children and young people first."

Child & Youth Safe Standards10 Standards to ensure culture, processes and environments are safe for children and young people. Complemented by the Universal Principle for Aboriginal Cultural Safety.

Reportable Conduct SchemeLegislation requiring organisations to adequately investigate and report concerns of conduct related to child abuse involving a worker in their organisation to the Independent Regulator.

Independent RegulatorA Tasmanian Independent Regulator has been established to provide oversight of Reportable Conduct, offer support as required and to monitor organisational compliance.

Information SharingSpecific provisions of the legislation that define when it is appropriate to share information relating to reportable conduct incidents or allegations, and with whom.

Introducing the Child and Youth Safe Standards

and the Universal Principle for Aboriginal Cultural Safety

The Child and Youth Safe Standards are 10 Standards designed to create a cultural foundation within organisations and minimise risk by establishing safe and child-centred processes and environments.

DPFEM is committed to embedding these standards into our culture, processes and environments.

Universal Principle for Aboriginal Cultural Safety

Cultural Safety is the recognition and respect of the unique cultural identity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

In putting the Child and Youth Safe Standards into practice, organisations must also give effect to the Universal Principle for Aboriginal Cultural Safety.

Information Sheet
DPFEM Poster outlining the Universal Principle and 10 Child and Youth Safe Standards

The Reportable Conduct Scheme

The Reportable Conduct Scheme requires organisation leaders to notify the Independent Regulator when concerns are raised about conduct related to child abuse involving a worker (including volunteers and contractors).

This scheme provides oversight and support to ensure organisations that engage with children and young people investigate concerns about their wellbeing in a thorough, transparent, safe and child-centred way.

To find out more about Reportable Conduct, watch the video and download the Information Sheet below.

Information Sheet

What is Reportable Conduct?

Reportable conduct includes a range of conduct committed against, or in the presence of, children and young people.

Reportable conduct includes:

  • Significant emotional or psychological harm,
  • Significant neglect,
  • Physical violence,
  • A sexual offence,
  • Sexual misconduct,
  • Grooming such as gaining access to a child or creating conditions for abuse to occur, and
  • Relevant offences such as failing to report child abuse, female genital mutilation, and more.

Incidents or concerns of any such behaviour must be reported immediately, regardless of where this behaviour occurred.

How to report an incident or concern

Under this scheme, anyone can report incidents or concerns of reportable conduct involving a DPFEM worker or volunteer, regardless of the setting in which it occurred (not just while the person was working or volunteering for DPFEM). The Independent Regulator will then be notified and the matter investigated as required.

Report an Incident or Concern

If you do not wish to report to DPFEM, you can report to the Independent Regulator.

NEED HELP NOW?

Please note that completing the above form is not a Police report.
In an emergency phone Tasmania Police on Triple Zero (000).
For non-emergencies phone the Police Assistance Line on 131 444.
To anonymously report a crime phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
For advice or to refer an abuse matter, contact the Strong Families Safe Kids Advice and Referral Line (ARL) on 1800 000 123.

iPad showing Keeping Children Safe training menu page

Find Out More

To find our more about the Child and Youth Safe Organisation Framework, we invite you to complete a short online training package designed to promote awareness of this legislation and what it means for you.
Please note: If you are a DPFEM worker, use your agency email address or complete via your organisation's Learning Management System so your training completion can be tracked.

For additional detail, please refer to the Office of the Independent Regulator at www.oir.tas.gov.au.

Contact Us

We welcome feedback from the community, including from children and young people, family or community members and victim/survivors.
To get in touch, please email childsafe@dpfem.tas.gov.au.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Child & Youth Safe Organisations Act?
The Child and Youth Safe Organisations Act 2023 refers to legislation was passed by Tasmania's State Parliament in June 2023.
The objective of the Act is to protect and promote the best interests of children. It defines the terms, functions, standards and processes that relevant organisations must follow to keep children safe.
What is a Child and Youth Safe Organisation?
A Child and Youth Safe Organisation is one that consciously and systematically
  • creates conditions that reduce the likelihood of harm to children,
  • responds appropriately to disclosures, allegations or suspicions of harm, and
  • creates conditions that increase the likelihood of identifying and reporting harm.
The Child and Youth Safe Organisations Framework has been developed to support organisations to achieve these outcomes.
I don't work or volunteer with children or young people, is this relevant to me?
Yes. If your organisation is required to comply with the Framework, which DPFEM is, then the whole organisation is required to comply. This includes all staff, volunteers and contractors across the Department and its member organisations.
The Child & Youth Safe Organisations Act extends to how a DPFEM worker behaves outside of work as well, and not just in the workplace. Therefore, regardless of whether you work directly with children or young people, or simply share a lift with a child who might be visiting the office, then this is relevant to you.
What are the Child & Youth Safe Standards? And how do I apply them?
The Child and Youth Safe Standards (the Standards) are 10 principles that form one part of the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Framework. Organisations that are required to comply must:
  • promote the safety and wellbeing of children and young people; and
  • prevent abuse and harm to children and young people.
Tasmania's Standards mirror the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations.

Organisations must also give effect to the Universal Principle for Aboriginal Cultural Safety. This means organisations must provide an environment that ensures the right to cultural safety of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander children and young people is respected.

The Child and Youth Safe Standards are:

  1. Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture.
  2. Children and young people are informed about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.
  3. Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.
  4. Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice.
  5. People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice.
  6. Processes to respond to complaints and concerns are child focused.
  7. Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training.
  8. Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed.
  9. Implementation of the Child and Youth Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved.
  10. Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people.
Find out more: https://oir.tas.gov.au/about/child-and-youth-safe-standards
What is the Universal Principle? And how do I apply it?
The Universal Principle is a part of the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Framework. The Universal Principle states that organisations must provide an environment that ensures the right to Cultural Safety of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander children.

This means when organisations put each of the Child and Youth Safe Standards into practice, they must also give effect to the Universal Principle for Aboriginal Cultural Safety. The Universal Principle applies to all 10 Standards.

Cultural safety can be understood as an environment or relationship where:
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people feel safe to be themselves,
  • their Aboriginality is respected, and
  • their sense of self and identity is nurtured and encouraged.
Only Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can determine whether an organisation is culturally safe.

To assist organisations with understanding and embedding the Universal Principle, the Independent Regulator, or the Deputy Regulator (yet to be appointed) is an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person.

Find out more: https://oir.tas.gov.au/about/universal-principle-for-aboriginal-cultural-safety
Who is the Independent Regulator and what do they do?
The Office of the Independent Regulator oversees Tasmanian organisations (including sole traders) required to comply with the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Framework.

The Independent Regulator:
  • is independent from the Tasmanian Government and reports to parliament, not a department
  • oversees a wide range of Tasmanian organisations that engage with children and young people
  • assists organisations to comply with the Child and Youth Safe Standards and the Universal Principle
  • builds the capability of organisations to prevent, identify, and respond to harm to children and young people
  • ensures organisations report and undertake investigations correctly in line with the Reportable Conduct Scheme
  • is established and given powers under the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Act 2023
  • has significant enforcement powers to ensure compliance
  • can share information in the interests of protecting children and young people
  • will collect and report on trends in relation to child and youth safe organisations
  • is supported by a Deputy Regulator (yet to be appointed).
The Independent Regulator does not:
  • provide tailored legal advice to organisations, or
  • investigate all reportable conduct itself, but provides support for organisations to do the work themselves.
The Independent Regulator has significant powers under the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Act 2023 including (but not limited to) the power to infringe and the ability search premises to ensure all organisations are meeting their obligations under the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Framework.

Find out more: https://oir.tas.gov.au/about
What is the Reportable Conduct Scheme?
The Reportable Conduct Scheme (the Scheme) requires leaders of specific organisations to:
  • notify the Independent Regulator upon becoming aware of conduct related to child abuse involving an adult worker (this is called reportable conduct), and
  • conduct investigations (they may engage an investigator).
The definition of worker under the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Act 2023 includes paid workers, volunteers and contractors.

The Reportable Conduct Scheme is about ensuring reportable conduct is investigated properly in a child-centred way. This is done through oversight by the Independent Regulator, who must receive:
  • Within three business days - Leaders must report reportable conduct to the Independent Regulator in writing and provide basic details such as the worker’s name. As soon as possible, leaders must start an investigation.
  • Within 30 days - Leaders must provide an update including information about the allegation or conviction, whether any actions have been taken (for example, placing a limit on a worker’s contact with children) and any written submissions.
  • At the end of the investigation - Leaders must provide findings of the investigation, reasons for the findings and details of any actions that have been taken as a result.
All reportable concerns must be reported to the Independent Regulator by the leader of the organisation (or their delegate). If the person raising the reportable concern reasonably believes the conduct to have occurred, this is enough for it to be reported. It is not relevant whether the leader of the organisation also holds that reasonable belief.

Leaders must also report any reportable conduct concerns about current workers, even if the alleged conduct is historical in nature.

There should already be processes for investigating concerns such as misconduct or work health and safety matters.

The Independent Regulator has significant investigation and infringement powers if an organisation is found to be non-compliant with the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Framework. For example, the Independent Regulator has the power to request documents and inspect premises without giving notice beforehand.

Find out more: https://oir.tas.gov.au/about/reportable-conduct-scheme
What is Reportable Conduct?
Reportable Conduct includes both criminal and non-criminal behaviour.

Types of Reportable Conduct:
  • Emotional/Psychological Harm - Harm that affects a child's wellbeing or development.
  • Neglect - Failure to meet a child's basic needs, including supervisory, physical, educational, and emotional neglect.
  • Physical Violence - Any form of physical force or threat thereof.
  • Sexual Offences/Misconduct - Includes a range of inappropriate behaviours, from verbal comments to physical contact, and more severe criminal acts.
  • Grooming - Establishing a relationship with a child to facilitate inappropriate conduct.
Find out more: https://oir.tas.gov.au/organisations/reportable-conduct-scheme/types-of-reportable-conduct
How do I report?
While you may choose to continue reporting through existing channels, such as your manager/chain of command, it is essential to fulfill our reporting obligations by also submitting the DPFEM Reportable Conduct Incident Report.

If you don’t feel comfortable reporting within DPFEM, you can report directly to the Independent Regulator.

REMEMBER
If you, or someone you know is at risk of imminent harm, call 000 immediately.
If you believe abuse is occurring or has occurred, or a crime has been committed, call the Police Assistance Line on 131 444.
If you need support or advice, call the Advice and Referral Line on 1800 000 123.
When making a report, can I remain anonymous?
When completing a Reportable Conduct Incident Report at www.dpfem.tas.gov.au/childsafe you can make the report anonymously, however we do ask you to enter a valid email address. Any information you provide will be shared with the person(s) assigned to investigate, and with the Office of the Independent Regulator for oversight.

You must provide enough detail for responding persons to adequately assess the concern and identify any persons of interest. Submitting an anonymous complaint can often limit the scope of investigation and response.

Any malicious or intentionally false reports will be responded to in accordance with the law.

If you don't feel comfortable reporting through DPFEM, you can report the incident or concern directly to the Office of the Independent Regulator.
Do I need training?
All DPFEM staff/members/volunteers will undertake mandatory Child & Youth Safe Training. There will be additional non-mandatory education pieces targeted to specific cohorts. Training packages are available via the following channels:
I don't work for DPFEM, can I still make a report?
Absolutely. If your concern involves anyone from DPFEM, you can submit a DPFEM Reportable Conduct incident Report, or contact the Office of the Independent Regulator directly.

DPFEM Reportable Conduct Incident Report
The DPFEM Child and Youth Safe Organisations project team has established this Reportable Conduct Incident Report. You are encouraged to use this form to report any concerns or incidents of reportable conduct.

Alternatively, you may wish to report your concern directly to the Office of the Independent Regulator.

Remember, the safety and wellbeing of the child / young person(s) at risk should always be your first priority.

If you, or someone you know is at risk of imminent harm, call 000 immediately.
If a crime has been committed, call the Police Assistance Line on 131 444.
If you are concerned for a child's welfare or need advice, call the Advice and Referral Line on 1800 000 123.
Should I report matters that occurred in the past?
If the matter is one of Reportable Conduct and involved a current or former DPFEM worker (staff, member or volunteer), then yes, this should be reported.