[Report is compiled from multiple public addresses, multiple sources made over multiple publication dates]
Martine Powell is Professor at Griffith University and Founding Director of the Centre for Investigative Interviewing. Prior to becoming a full-time academic, she worked as a psychologist in a child protection unit and a teacher. For the past 25 years, she has been conducting research on interviewing children and designing effective investigative interviewing programs. Martine provided an overview of what constitutes best practice investigative interviewing of children and adolescents, and how this can be achieved.
About the Reportable Conduct Scheme
The Victorian Reportable Conduct Scheme requires some organisations to report allegations of child abuse and child-related misconduct made about their workers or volunteers to the Commission for Children and Young People.
The scheme aims to improve how organisations respond to allegations of child abuse and child- related misconduct.
Under the scheme:
What type of conduct is reportable?
For more information about types of reportable conduct, go to About the Reportable Conduct Scheme on the Commission’s website.
Who does the scheme apply to?
The scheme can apply to the following people engaged in certain organisations:
What are the organisations’ obligations?
The head of an organisation is legally responsible for carrying out obligations under the scheme. The head of an organisation may be:
If the organisation does not have a CEO, principal officer or equivalent, they can nominate one. The form for this is at Nominating a head of organisation on the Commission’s website.
The head of an organisation needs to:
What must the head of an organisation do?
Resources and support
Reportable Conduct Scheme information sheets
Videos and presentations
Guides and information sheets
Translated information sheets
Helpful resources and organisations
An emphasis of a non-judgmental approach, open questioning and deep listening when a child wishes to disclose. The timing of the disclosure and the narrative is particular to the individual and situation.
If an interpreter is required, please call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 13 14 50 and ask them to contact the Commission for Children and Young People on 03 8601 5281.
On behalf of BCV’s Buddhist Religious Instruction (bENGAGED), thankyou to Hosts, Organisers, Volunteers and Participants working to uphold the trustworthiness of children-safe spaces. Received with gratitude.
MORE:
Commission for Children and Young People (CCYP)
Address: Level 18, 570 Bourke Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Tel: (03) 8601 5281
Email: contact@ccyp.vic.gov.au
Website: www.ccyp.vic.gov.au
A hosted forum on interviewing children during investigations under the reportable conduct scheme. The forum will consist of presentations from Dr Jenny Dwyer and Professor Martine Powell.
Dr Jenny Dwyer is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and an Approved Consultant and Certified Therapist in EMDR. She has worked in a range of specialist therapeutic services, including 17 years at the Bouverie Centre where she was the founding coordinator of the Sexual Abuse Treatment Team, developed and delivered curriculum for post graduate clinical training in family therapy and provided therapy to families with complex needs. Jenny presented understandings of the impact of trauma on children and adolescents and how this is relevant to investigations.Martine Powell is Professor at Griffith University and Founding Director of the Centre for Investigative Interviewing. Prior to becoming a full-time academic, she worked as a psychologist in a child protection unit and a teacher. For the past 25 years, she has been conducting research on interviewing children and designing effective investigative interviewing programs. Martine provided an overview of what constitutes best practice investigative interviewing of children and adolescents, and how this can be achieved.
About the Reportable Conduct Scheme
The Victorian Reportable Conduct Scheme requires some organisations to report allegations of child abuse and child-related misconduct made about their workers or volunteers to the Commission for Children and Young People.
The scheme aims to improve how organisations respond to allegations of child abuse and child- related misconduct.
Under the scheme:
- organisations must respond to allegations of child abuse and child-related misconduct made against their workers and volunteers
- organisations must tell the Commission about allegations
- the Commission oversees how organisations respond to and investigate allegations
- organisations, regulators, the police, the Working With Children Check and the Commission share information.
What type of conduct is reportable?
- sexual offences involving a child
- sexual misconduct involving a child
- physical violence involving a child
- any behaviour that causes significant emotional or psychological harm to a child
- significant neglect of a child.
For more information about types of reportable conduct, go to About the Reportable Conduct Scheme on the Commission’s website.
Who does the scheme apply to?
The scheme can apply to the following people engaged in certain organisations:
- employees
- volunteers
- some contractors
- office holders
- ministers of religion
- officers of a religious body.
What are the organisations’ obligations?
The head of an organisation is legally responsible for carrying out obligations under the scheme. The head of an organisation may be:
- the Chief Executive Officer
- the Principal Officer of the organisation
- the Secretary, if the organisation is a Victorian Government Department.
If the organisation does not have a CEO, principal officer or equivalent, they can nominate one. The form for this is at Nominating a head of organisation on the Commission’s website.
The head of an organisation needs to:
- take steps to keep children safe
- make sure organisation has ways for a complaint or allegation to be made.
What must the head of an organisation do?
- Notify: Notify the Commission within 3 business days of becoming aware of an allegation.
- Investigate: Investigate an allegation. Tell the Commission who is doing the investigation. Manage risks to children.
- Update: Give the Commission a detailed update within 30 calendar days of becoming aware of an allegation.
- Outcomes: Tell the Commission about the result of the investigation, what the organisation will do next and why.
Resources and support
Reportable Conduct Scheme information sheets
Videos and presentations
Guides and information sheets
Translated information sheets
Helpful resources and organisations
An emphasis of a non-judgmental approach, open questioning and deep listening when a child wishes to disclose. The timing of the disclosure and the narrative is particular to the individual and situation.
If an interpreter is required, please call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 13 14 50 and ask them to contact the Commission for Children and Young People on 03 8601 5281.
On behalf of BCV’s Buddhist Religious Instruction (bENGAGED), thankyou to Hosts, Organisers, Volunteers and Participants working to uphold the trustworthiness of children-safe spaces. Received with gratitude.
MORE:
Commission for Children and Young People (CCYP)
Address: Level 18, 570 Bourke Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Tel: (03) 8601 5281
Email: contact@ccyp.vic.gov.au
Website: www.ccyp.vic.gov.au