Significant legislative reforms have been implemented since the government’s Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Abuse. This includes Victoria’s Child Safe Standards which were put in place in initially in 2016 and updated from 1 July 2022 to protect children and young people from harm and abuse.
The legislative framework in Victoria requires certain employers to be able to demonstrate compliance with the mandatory Child Safe Standards and the Reportable Conduct Scheme.
Changes have also recently been made to the Reportable Conduct Scheme in 2024 to increase protection for children and young people and provide clarity for organisations that must comply with the Reportable Conduct Scheme.
Failing to comply with the minimum requirements and mandatory reporting scheme can expose organisations to significant legal risk, including but not limited to civil penalties, but more importantly, potentially jeopardise the safety of children.
Key to meeting the child safe obligations is ensuring workers are educated as to the organisation’s values and expectations in respect to child safety.
HR Legal can deliver bespoke training to support organisations to meet Victorian Child Safe obligations, consistent with the Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005, Child Safe Standards and the Commission for Children and Young People’s guidelines.
Available Training Courses
- Briefings to Executive Management and Boards on the Child Safe obligations, including setting the organisation’s strategy, and managing legal and other risks.
- Manager training directed at equipping leaders to understand their obligations, how to monitor compliance and how to respond to concerns.
- Training to the HR team or Child Safe Officers to understand the legal framework, how to ensure the organisation is meeting the Child Safe Standards and how to approach investigations under the Reportable Conduct Scheme (if applicable).
- Whole of workforce training to educate staff on child safety.
Such training offerings will be tailored to the organisation’s size and demographics, taking into account relevant policies.
In addition, HR Legal has developed a number of Victorian Child Safe service offerings including:
- Policies and procedures consistent with the Child Safe Standards and the Reportable Conduct Scheme;
- Additional ‘tool box talk’ scripts to support leaders to continue to reinforce expectations at regular intervals; and
- Conducting Child Safe investigations.
Contact HR Legal today to discuss how your organisation can best meet the Victorian Child Safe obligations.
