This provides a guide on how staff should report child safe concerns externally and internally.
Permission to make an external or internal report is not required from Council or from parents/guardians/carers of a child where abuse is suspected, and parents/guardians/carers do not need to be notified that a report has been made.
Download Poster on how to Respond and Report a Child Safety Concern - 72.4KB
Reporting externally
- If you believe the child or young person is at immediate risk of abuse or the situation is an emergency, telephone 000 for urgent medical or police assistance.
- If you form a reasonable belief that a sexual offence has been committed by an adult against a child under 16 years of age, you must report this to Victoria Police, unless you have a reasonable excuse for not doing so (see Council’s Child Safe Policy for more information).
- If your position within Council means that you have mandatory reporting requirements (including Immunisation Nurses, MCH Nurses, Early Childhood Workers or Family Support Case Managers), comply with these requirements in accordance with any procedures set out for your work unit.
- In any event, if you believe, on reasonable grounds, that a child or young person is in need of protection and the child/young person’s parents are unable or unwilling to protect the child, you may notify DFFH Child Protection South Division Intake - 1300 655 795, or if it is after hours, telephone 13 12 78 (24 hours, 7 days a week, toll free within Victoria) State ‘I want to make a report’. You may first discuss your intention to notify with the Child Safety Compliance Officer, Council executive leadership or another Council officer to whom the matter has been referred.
Reporting internally
- Report the Child safety incident to the Child Safety Compliance Officer and to your direct supervisor. The Child Safety Compliance Officer can be notified via email childsafety@cgd.vic.gov.au or telephone 0418 100 919.
- For reports regarding children or persons external to Council including those participating in Council services use the Child Protection Notification Form.
- For reports regarding a person associated with Council, including employees, volunteers, secondees and directors of companies performing work for the Council use the Child Safety Pulse Form. Select Incidents, Claims and Management / Child Safe Internal - Report regarding a council representative.
- If you reasonably believe that a Council employee (including a person in authority at Council), student, trainee, apprentice, volunteer, contractor or Councillor has committed child abuse or misconduct involving child abuse either during or outside their Council duties, report this to the Child Safety Compliance Officer or the Manager of Governance, Legal and Risk. You may where required report this directly to the CEO or directly to the CCYP.
- You must report internally even if you have reported to Victoria Police or DFFH Child Protection.