Understanding Legislation

The Reportable Conduct Scheme monitors the behaviour of those who work with children. Under the Children’s Guardian Act 2019, anyone who has a Working with Children Check (WWCC) to fulfil their role (employee and volunteer) will fall under the Scheme.

The Scheme is administered by the Office of the Children’s Guardian and monitors how organisations investigate and report on ‘reportable allegations’ and ‘reportable convictions’ made against their employees, volunteers or certain contractors who provide services to children. For more information, including what conduct is considered reportable, click here.

If you have concerns about alleged inappropriate behaviour by a staff member towards any child or young person, please discuss them with the principal, who will consult with our safeguarding team.

You can Contact Us to raise any concerns or seek further information.

All school staff and volunteers are mandatory reporters under the Children & Young Persons (Care & Protection) Act 1998. This means that if they have reasonable grounds to suspect that a child is at risk of significant harm a report must be made to the Department of Communities & Justice Child Protection Helpline (CP Helpline).

Behaviour of staff or volunteers with a Working with Children Check is not subject to Mandatory Reporting. Their behaviour is monitored through the Reportable Conduct Scheme.

If you have concerns about a child you consider at risk, please maintain confidentiality and speak with the principal as soon as possible, or contact our safeguarding team.

Staff, volunteers or contractors working in schools within the Diocese of Lismore must be appropriately screened to ensure they are suitable for child-related work. This screening is mandated by the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012 and is called the Working with Children Check.

A person convicted or found guilty of a listed serious offence against children (whether in NSW or elsewhere) is prohibited from working in a child-related role.
Employees in a Diocese of Lismore Catholic school must apply for a Working with Children Check, and obtain clearance, before being eligible to work.

Not all parents or volunteers will require a Working with Children Check - you can find out if one is needed by consulting the Office of the Children’s Guardian website. Volunteers and contractors exempt from requiring a Working with Children Check should check with their school about other requirements.