Bill to establish Child and Youth Safe Organisations Framework passes lower house

The Bill to establish Tasmania’s Child and Youth Safe Organisations Framework passed the House of Assembly on March 30.

The Child and Youth Safe Organisations Bill 2022 will introduce two important elements to the state’s child safeguarding landscape:

The Child and Youth Safe Standards are 10 principles that organisations must put into practice to create a culture with child and youth safety and wellbeing at its centre.

In putting the Child and Youth Safe Standards into practice, organisations must also give effect to a Universal Principle for Aboriginal Cultural Safety.

The Reportable Conduct Scheme is a compulsory scheme that requires leaders of certain organisations to report and investigate concerns about worker conduct to an Independent Regulator.

The Bill also establishes the Independent Regulator, who will oversee compliance with the Framework, as well as broad information-sharing provisions that underpin its operation.

The Tasmanian Government is currently seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified persons for appointment for a new role as Independent Regulator for the Framework.

While the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Framework is still in the process of being legislated, there are things organisations can do to prepare for implementation, which is due to start from 2024.

Seeking help?

We encourage anyone affected by, or with concerns about, child sexual abuse or other types of child abuse to access advice and support.

National:

  • For domestic, family, and sexual violence counselling and support, contact 1800RESPECT:
  • For short-term support if you are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping or staying safe, contact Lifeline:
  • For free professional phone and online counselling for anyone affected by suicide living in Australia, contact Suicide Call Back Service:
  • For information and support for anxiety, depression and suicide prevention for everyone in Australia, contact Beyond Blue:
  • For information and support for anyone who is affected by complex trauma, contact Blue Knot Foundation:
  • For counselling and support for Australian men, contact MensLine Australia:
  • For advice for men about family violence, contact Men’s Referral Service:

Tasmania: