Child and Youth Safe Organisations Framework
Tasmania is in the process of establishing a legally mandated framework to uphold and improve the safety and wellbeing of children and young people in institutional settings. This advances recommendations of the Royal Commission.
The Tasmanian Government is developing a new legally mandated framework that aims to improve the safety and wellbeing of children and young people in institutional settings.
The Child and Youth Safe Organisations Framework will contribute to the development of child and youth safe organisations in Tasmania, which promote the safety of children and young people from all forms of harm in institutional settings.
In particular, the Framework will contribute to the prevention of sexual abuse against children and young people in institutional settings.
It will also improve investigation of, and responses to, child sexual abuse in institutional settings.
The Child and Youth Safe Organisations Framework project plan (PDF, 731.3 KB) includes more information about the project’s purpose, methodology, and consultation and engagement approach.
The Framework will be made up of two legislated components that are both based on recommendations from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse:
The Framework will be regulated by an independent body.
Several advisory panels have been established to inform the design and implementation of the Framework.
The Framework will be established by the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Bill, which was tabled in November 2022 and is expected to become law in early 2023.
What are Child and Youth Safe Standards?
The Child and Youth Safe Standards will be a list of things organisations must do to protect the wellbeing and safety of children they come into contact with.
Organisations must apply all 10 Child and Youth Safe Standards in an environment that ensures the right to Cultural Safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people. This is known as the ‘universal principle’.
More information about the Child and Youth Safe Standards.
What is the Reportable Conduct Scheme?
Some organisations engage with children and young people in ways that place them at higher risk of harm.
These organisations will be required to comply with the Reportable Conduct Scheme to report concerns about conduct related to child abuse involving a worker.
More information about the Reportable Conduct Scheme.
Who is being consulted with about the Framework?
The Department of Justice has established several advisory panels to inform the creation and implementation of the Framework.
The panels represent:
- people with lived experience
- community services
- businesses, clubs and associations, and local government
- non-government schools and education sector regulators.
In addition to the above, work is continuing to establish an ongoing consultation mechanism for children and young people with care experience.
Consultation on the Framework will also involve:
- individual meetings with stakeholders
- focus groups
- roundtables
- workshops
- public consultations
- speaking with other jurisdictions.
Who will have to comply with the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Framework?
This table provides a summary of the types of organisations that will have to comply with the Child and Youth Safe Standards and Reportable Conduct Scheme, including the date when their compliance will start.
| Type of organisation | Child and Youth Safe Standards | Reportable Conduct Scheme | Date must start to comply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation and residential services for children, including housing services and overnight camps | Yes | Yes | 1 January 2024 |
|
Activities or services of any kind, under the auspices of a particular religious denomination or faith through which adults have contact with children | Yes | Yes | 1 January 2024 |
| Child care and commercial babysitting services | Yes | Yes | 1 January 2024 |
| Child protection services and out-of-home care, including contact services | Yes | Yes | 1 January 2024 |
| Health services for children, including organisations that provide counselling services* | Yes | Yes | 1 January 2024 |
| An organisation that provides early intervention or disability support services | Yes | Yes | 1 January 2024 |
| Justice and detention services for children* | Yes | Yes | 1 January 2024 |
| Education services for children | Yes | Yes | 1 January 2024 |
| Tasmanian Government and Local Government | Yes | Yes | 1 January 2024 |
| Tasmanian Parliament | Yes | Yes | 1 January 2024 |
| Government House | Yes | Yes | 1 January 2024 |
| Neighbourhood Houses | Yes | 1 July 2024 | |
|
A club, association or cadet organisation that has a significant membership of, or involvement by, children | Yes | Yes | 1 July 2024 |
| An entity that provides a coaching or tuition service to children | Yes | Yes | 1 July 2024 |
| An entity that provides commercial services to children | Yes | 1 July 2024 | |
| A transport service specifically for children | Yes | 1 July 2024 |
*Full details of the organisations required to comply with the Child and Youth Safe Standards, and the Reportable Conduct Scheme, are set out in Schedule 2 and 3 respectively within the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Bill 2022.
How do I stay up to date about the Framework?
You can subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date about the development and implementation of the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Framework.
To subscribe:
- Go to the subscription webpage
- Fill in your details
- Check the box that says ‘Child and Youth Safe Organisations Framework’.
You can also read earlier editions of the newsletter:
How do I get in touch with the people developing the Framework?
You can send questions and comments related to the Framework and the project to cysof@justice.tas.gov.au
Useful links
The following websites have tools, resources and information on how the Child Safe Standards and Reportable Conduct Scheme are operating in other parts of Australia:
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:
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For domestic, family, and sexual violence counselling and support, contact
1800RESPECT:- Phone: 1800 737 732
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For short-term support if you are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping or staying safe, contact Lifeline:
- Phone: 13 11 14
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For free professional phone and online counselling for anyone affected by suicide living in Australia, contact Suicide Call Back Service:
- Phone: 1300 659 467
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For information and support for anxiety, depression and suicide prevention for everyone in Australia, contact Beyond Blue:
- Phone: 1300 224 636
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For information and support for anyone who is affected by complex trauma, contact
Blue Knot Foundation:- Phone: 1300 657 380
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For counselling and support for Australian men, contact MensLine Australia:
- Phone: 1300 789 978
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For advice for men about family violence, contact Men's Referral Service:
- Phone: 1300 766 491
- Phone: 1800 55 1800
Tasmania:
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For information about child wellbeing and safety, contact
Strong Families, Safe Kids Advice and Referral Line:- Phone: 1800 000 123
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For free and confidential support for people who have been affected by sexual violence, contact the
Sexual Assault Support Service:- Phone: 1800 697 877
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For sexual assault support in Northern Tasmania and North West Tasmania, contact Laurel House:
- Phone for Northern Tasmania: (03) 6334 2740
- Phone for North West Tasmania: (03) 6431 9711
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For information and support for children, young people and adults affected by family violence, contact
Family Violence Counselling and Support Service:- Phone: 1800 608 122
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For free and confidential support for people impacted by crime, contact
Victims of Crime Service:- Phone: 1300 300 238
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For support for relationships and to live positive lives, contact
Relationships Australia Tasmania:- Phone: 1300 364 277