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The Child and Youth Safe Organisations Framework came into effect in Tasmania on 1 January 2024. Most organisations that provide services to children and young people are covered by the Framework. The Framework is established under the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Act 2023.

The Framework is about keeping children and young people safe and for organisations to keep working on improving their child safe culture.

Tasmania's Child and Youth Safe Organisations Framework applies to all Tasmanian organisations, which includes each of our clubs and branches independent of Athletics Tasmania, and sets clear expectations for:

how organisations prioritise and promote the safety and wellbeing of children and young people,
how they respond to concerns about a worker's behaviour towards children and young people,
independent oversight to ensure organisations fulfil their obligations under the Framework, and
protocols around sharing information concerning a worker's conduct towards a child or young person.

The Framework Comprises of the Following:

Child & Youth Safe Standards:

10 things organisations must do to respect and uphold children and young people’s rights.

Click Here to Learn More About The 10 Standards

The Reportable Conduct Scheme:

Reportable conduct includes any inappropriate actions by workers (including volunteers and contractors) against or in the presence of children and young people. This includes but is not limited to suspected criminal behaviour.

Types of Reportable Conduct:

Emotional/Psychological Harm: Harm that affects a child's wellbeing or development.
Neglect: Failure to meet a child's basic needs, including supervisory, physical, educational, and emotional neglect.
Physical Violence: Any form of physical force or threat thereof.
Sexual Offences/Misconduct: Includes a range of inappropriate behaviours, from verbal comments to physical contact, and more severe criminal acts.
Grooming: Establishing a relationship with a child to facilitate inappropriate conduct.

Learn More About What is Reportable Conduct

The Scheme requires leaders of specific organisations to:

- Report concerns of conduct related to child abuse involving a worker in their organisation to the Independent Regulator, and
- Investigate these concerns.

Leaders must:

- Notify the Independent Regulator within three business day, in writing, of being made aware of a reportable conduct
- Start an investigation as soon as possible
- Provide detailed information, after 30 days, on the progress of their investigation
- Provide a final report after completing their investigation.

The definition of worker, leader and specific organisation can be found on our key terms and frequently asked questions webpage.

Anyone can make a report, but the leader of an organisation is legally required to report a concern they are made aware of.

Reportable Conduct Scheme Flow Chart

Resources to Help With Investigations and Reporting

Click Here to Learn More About the Reportable Conduct Scheme

The Independent Regulator:

- is independent from the Tasmanian Government and reports to parliament, not a department
- oversees a wide range of Tasmanian organisations that engage with children and young people
- assists organisations to comply with the Child and Youth Safe Standards including the Universal Principle and monitors ongoing compliance
- builds the capability of organisations to prevent, identify, and respond to harm to children and young people
- ensures organisations report and undertake investigations correctly in line with the Reportable Conduct Scheme
- is established and given powers under the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Act 2023
- has significant enforcement powers to ensure compliance
- can share information in the interests of protecting children and young people
- will collect and report on trends in relation to child and youth safe organisations
- is supported by a Deputy Regulator (yet to be appointed).

Compliance Approach - OIR

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Is the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Framework only about child sexual abuse in organisational settings?

Even though the idea for the Framework came out of the Royal Commission (which focused on child sexual abuse), the Framework in practice aims to address all forms of harm to children and young people.

Can organisations choose if they want to follow the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Framework or not?

Your Club/Branch is required by the law to comply with the Framework.

Does the leader of an organisation (usually president/chair of your board/committee) have to notify the Independent Regulator of any reportable conduct once becoming aware of it, even if the alleged conduct is historical in nature?

If reportable conduct happened a week ago or multiple years ago the leader of the organisation (usually president/chair) must report it to the Independent Regulator when they become aware. For example, a leader of an organisation (usually president/chair) may become aware of historical reportable conduct after undergoing training to identify types of reportable conduct.

How do I know if my organisation is complying with the Child and Youth Safe Standards and Universal Principle for Aboriginal Cultural Safety?

You can learn more about how to comply with the Child and Youth Safe Standards and Universal Principle for Aboriginal Cultural Safety by reading the Interim Compliance Guidance for Organisations resource developed by the Department of Justice.

More FAQ's here

Athletics Tasmania Clubs/Branches Compliance Standards/Behaviours:

AT encourages clubs and branches to produce their own child safety statement/commitment and regularly discuss and review how they are performing against the 10 standards. This should be a standing or regular item on board/committee meetings. Examples of Statements can be found below:
Clubs and branches are encouraged to inform through posters their members of their rights and the applicable framework that is in place to protect children and young people. They are also encouraged to include a young person in their board/committee meetings or in a seperate child and youth sub-committee.
Clubs and branches are to ensure that the Athletics Tasmania National Integrity Framework Education Plan is enforced and that each category of member has the appropriate acreditations for their level of involvement in the sport.
- NIF Education Framework.
Clubs and branches are to ensure that their members have the appropriate Working With Vulnerable People Check information input into the RevSport system. Athletics Tasmania's Working With Vulnerable People Policy includes stipulations for who is required to have one.
- Working With Vulnerable People Policy
Clubs and branches are encouraged to ensure that further learning and empowerment is promoted at their club and/or branch and for board, committee and other volunteers are completing further education on Child Safety. See below portals for education:
- VicSport Child Safety - eLearning
- NSW Office of the Children's Guardian - eLearning
Clubs and branches are encouraged, and will be required as part of affiliation to complete the Child Safe Self-Assessment. This must be shared with Athletics Tasmania upon completion.
- Club & Branch Self Assessment (NSW Office of the Children's Guardian)
- Athletics Specific Club & Branch Self-Assessment (coming soon)
Athletics Tasmania will require as part of club and branch affiliation for there to be at least one MPIO at each club. This person(s) must be designated by the club or branch, and be a fully accredited MPIO or have completed their online MPIO learning and be awaiting their in-person course through Active Tasmania. This accreditation will assist the MPIO in investigations where applicable and designated by the club or branch.
- Become an MPIO
Clubs and branches are encouraged to inform Athletics Tasmania of any reports made to the Office for the Independent Regulator where appropriate.