Council currently has two important documents related to child safety that we would like your feedback on:

1. Draft Reportable Conduct Policy
2. Draft Child Safe Policy

The Draft Reportable Conduct Policy is a new policy which outlines Council’s commitments and responsibilities regarding reportable conduct.

The Draft Child Safe Policy was previously called the Child Protection Policy. It has been updated and renamed the Child Safe Policy to reflect recommended changes under the Child Safe Scheme.

Background

The Children’s Guardian Amendment (Child Safe Scheme) Act 2021 (NSW) became law in 2022. The Act requires councils and other prescribed agencies to embed the 10 Child Safe Standards into policies and practices “as the primary framework that guides child safe practice”. It also requires councils and other prescribed agencies to implement a reportable conduct policy that addresses the following matters:

1. preventing and detecting reportable conduct by an employee of the entity,
2. requiring an employee of the relevant entity to give a report, as soon as possible, in relation to a reportable allegation or conviction considered to be a reportable conviction involving an employee of the entity,
3. enabling a person, other than an employee of the relevant entity, to give a report to the head of the relevant entity about a reportable allegation or conviction considered to be a reportable conviction involving an employee of the relevant entity,
4. handling or responding to a reportable allegation or conviction considered to be a reportable conviction involving an employee of the relevant entity, having regard to principles of procedural fairness,
5. receiving, handling and disclosing information relating to reportable allegations, convictions considered to be reportable convictions and information relating to investigations and determinations,
6. identifying and dealing with matters relating to the prevention of reportable conduct by employees of the relevant entity.

To meet the requirements of the Child Safe Scheme, Council’s Child Protection Policy has been updated and renamed (Draft) Child Safe Policy.

A new (Draft) Reportable Conduct Policy has been created.

Ordinary Council Meeting Resolution:

In the Ordinary Council Meeting held on 20 June 2024, Council resolved to:

1. endorse the Draft Child Safe Policy and the Draft Reportable Conduct Policy for the purpose of public exhibition,

2. undertake community consultation for a period of six (6) weeks as per the consultation plan outlined in this report; and

3. following the public exhibition period the Draft Child Safe Policy and Draft Reportable Conduct Policy, together with a report on any submissions received and any proposed amendments, be considered at the Ordinary Council meeting to be held 22 August 2024.

Have Your Say

Submit your feedback about the Draft Reportable Conduct Policy and Draft Child Safe by using the Submissions button.

Alternatively, you can lodge a written submission to the General Manager by:

• Email: service@lanecove.nsw.gov.au or,
• Post: Lane Cove Council, PO BOX 20, LANE COVE, NSW 1595

When lodging a written submission please quote the number: SU8773

Submissions close Tuesday 6 August 2024.