Briefing paper for Principals, Bursars, Business Managers and Governors of non-government schools.

• The new ACT Reportable Conduct Scheme (the Reportable Conduct Scheme) was notified on 17 August 2016. The Reportable Conduct Scheme is established under the Ombudsman Act 1989 (ACT) (Ombudsman Act).
• The Reportable Conduct Scheme will commence on 1 July 2017.
• The introduction of the Reportable Conduct Scheme creates additional child protection reporting and information sharing obligations for schools and other organisations which exercise care, supervision or authority over children and young people.
• Under the Reportable Conduct Scheme, schools must report allegations of misconduct to the ACT Ombudsman (the Ombudsman). They must also share information with the Commissioner for Fair Trading and other entities that exercise supervision and care for children and young people.
• The Reportable Conduct Scheme is not intended to alter existing reporting requirements, and is designed to complement the mandatory reporting obligations under the Children and Young People Act 2008 (ACT) (CYPA).
• Compliance with the Reportable Conduct Scheme will enable a school to better identify and reduce the risk of child abuse and respond to allegations of child abuse or misconduct involving children.

Click here to download the briefing paper.