ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø

If you are concerned that a child’s immediate safety is compromised, this should be reported to the NSW Police by calling 000.

Any conduct towards a child that you suspect may be criminal in nature should also be reported to the NSW Police.

Services should follow police direction on a criminal matter, which may impact upon their own investigative or risk management response.

If you are unsure if it is a criminal matter, call the Police Assistance Line on 131 444.

Educators in centre-based and family day care education and care services are ‘mandatory reporters’ under NSW child protection law.

Mandatory reporters must make a report to the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) when they have current concerns about the safety, welfare or wellbeing of a child for any of the following reasons:

• the basic physical or psychological needs of the child or young person are not being met (neglect)
• the parents or caregivers have not arranged necessary medical care for the child or young person (unwilling or unable to do so)
• the parents or caregivers have not arranged for the child or young person to receive an education in accordance with the ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Act 1990 (unwilling or unable to do so)
• risk of physical or sexual abuse or ill-treatment
• the parents’ or caregivers’ behaviour towards the child causes or risks serious psychological harm (emotional abuse)
• incidents of domestic violence are placing a child or young person at risk of serious physical or psychological harm (domestic or family violence)
• the child was the subject in a prenatal report and the birth mother did not engage successfully with support services.

There are two ways you can make a child protection report:

• by calling the Child Protection Helpline on 132 111
• by eReport through the .

If you are a mandatory reporter in NSW and you have concerns that a child or young person is at risk of being neglected or abused, you should use the  to determine whether a report is needed.

Further information can be found on the .

The Reportable Conduct Scheme is administered by the Office of the Children’s Guardian under the .

The scheme keeps children safe by monitoring how certain organisations (‘relevant entities’) investigate and report on types of conduct ('reportable allegations' or 'reportable convictions') made against their employees, volunteers or certain contractors who provide services to children. Relevant entities include approved education and care services, including family day care.

When the head of a relevant entity (for example, the approved provider) becomes aware of a reportable allegation or reportable conviction, they must notify the Office of the Children's Guardian within 7 business days and conduct an investigation into the allegations.

Information and resources are available on the

• to assist you to understand and meet your reportable conduct scheme responsibilities. Topics include identifying reportable allegations, heads of entities and reportable conduct responsibilities, planning and conducting investigations, keeping records, disclosing information to children, parents and carers, and FAQs

If you have any questions about the scheme, please contact the Reportable Conduct Enquiries Line on (02) 8219 3800 or at reportableconduct@ocg.nsw.gov.au.

Approved providers are required to notify the Commission within 24 hours of:

• any incident where the approved provider reasonably believes that physical or sexual abuse of a child or children has occurred or is occurring while the child is being educated and cared for by the service
• allegations that physical or sexual abuse of a child or children has occurred or is occurring while the child is being educated and cared for by the service.

Approved providers are required to notify the Commission within 7 days of: 

• any circumstance at the service that poses a risk to the health, safety or wellbeing of a child attending the service.

Notifications should be made through NQA ITS*.

When the Commission receives a notification of an incident or allegation of child physical or sexual abuse, the Commission will conduct a preliminary assessment and may obtain further details from the service.

The notification may be forwarded to the Commission's investigation team where investigators may visit the service and speak with educators and staff about the incident/s or allegation/s. They may provide support with the service’s response, for example, reminding the service of their reporting obligations to other agencies.

When conducting an investigation, the Commission will ensure ongoing liaison with the service and families.

The Commission can share information with other relevant authorities, including the NSW Police, Department of Communities and Justice, and Office of the Children’s Guardian. The Commission's investigators may liaise with these agencies to establish facts about the incident/s or allegation/s and determine whether an offence against the National Law and/or Regulations has been or is being committed.

The NSW Police, Department of Communities and Justice and Office of the Children’s Guardian have different legislative powers and may make other determinations in relation to the incident/s or allegation/s.

* Mobile and occasional care services can use the notification forms found here.