The Department of the Senate is committed to the safety and protection of children through:
- promoting and maintaining a culture that does not permit or tolerate child abuse or harm
- providing an environment where children are safe, protected and respected
- creating and maintaining behaviours and practices that are safe for children.
We are compliant with the Commonwealth Child Safe Framework (the Framework), the core requirements of which are: (i) undertake annual risk assessments, (ii) establish and maintain a system of training and compliance, (iii) adopt the 10 National Principles for Child Safe Organisations (the National Principles), and (iv) publish an annual statement of compliance.
Our work
The department's interaction with children is primarily through the work of the Parliamentary Education Office (PEO). The PEO delivers education programs onsite at Parliament House and in classrooms across Australia via digital program delivery and in-person via outreach trips.1 The PEO also has contact with children through public enquiries, such as the Your Question on Notice service and telephone contact, and when delivering programs at special events, such as Office for Youth forums.
From time to time, the department may also have contact with children through our work providing secretariat support to Parliamentary committees. For example, committee inquiries may involve interaction with children during hearings or site visits. The department may also interact with children through our support of special events, such as Parliament House Open Day.
Our policy
The department's Child safety policy is designed to demonstrate and monitor the department's compliance with the Child Safe Framework.
The policy outlines the department's legislative requirements, reporting framework and processes for providing a safe environment for children. The department works to ensure the safety of children that employees may have work-related contact with by ensuring that:
- Employees in roles that involve regularly working with children must obtain and maintain a 'general' Working with Vulnerable People registration with the ACT Government. Additional registration may be required for employees working with children in another jurisdiction. Police record checks are also performed for all prospective employees.
- Employees whose work involves contact with children receive child safety induction training on commencement. This training is trauma-informed and contains a warning to employees about the content. Additional training is also available on demand as required.
- Risk assessments are in place for existing departmental activities and for compliance with the Commonwealth framework. The department also publishes an annual child safety statement. Specialist risk assessments are conducted where new activities involving contact with children arise.
Employee obligations
Reasonable steps to ensure safety
Employees must always take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of children visiting or engaging with the department including by following all agreed risk management practices. Employees must:
- Act in accordance with the department's child safety policy, to ensure the safety of children.
- Act in accordance with the Parliamentary Service Code of Conduct in any contact with children and caregivers. This includes:
- acting with care and diligence
- treating everyone with respect and courtesy
- complying with all applicable Australian laws and any lawful and reasonable directions
- upholding the Parliamentary Service Values
- attending and applying relevant training
- Immediately raise any identified new or increased child safety risks or controls. Promptly raise complaints with their manager or Program Manager.
- For employees whose work involves contact with children, obtain and maintain relevant registration/s.
Reporting obligations
Employees have a legal obligation to report all actual or suspected cases of child abuse or harm to a manager or Program Manager and, with support, report to the relevant authorities. Complaints will be taken seriously and handled sensitively.
Employee reporting obligations are determined by the ACT Reportable Conduct Scheme, our role as Commonwealth employees2 and by mandatory reporting obligations for certain professions.
If an employee becomes aware of a complaint relating to the department's contact with children or if, in the course of their employment, an employee observes or develops a suspicion of child abuse or harm (regardless of whether it arises from the child's contact with the department), they must immediately report it to their manager or Program Manager.
Depending on the nature of the complaint, other sections of the department may become involved as well, for example the Human Resource Management section.
A report will be made to an appropriate authority, particularly if it raises suspected child abuse or harm. This may include:
Dealing with matters of child safety may be difficult and impacted employees are encouraged to seek support or contact the Employee Assistance Program or Parliamentary Workplace Support Service. The department also provides training for employees whose work exposes them to distressing or confronting issues or material, for example if the work of a committee involved confronting issues of child safety.
Once a complaint has been resolved, analysis will be undertaken by the department or other appropriate Parliamentary Department(s) to determine whether any steps are required to prevent a similar situation occurring in the future.
