SSR functions and powers
The SSR is responsible for administering the Reportable Conduct Scheme. Our functions and powers, including what we can and can’t do as a regulator, are set out by the Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005.
Under the Reportable Conduct Scheme, we have the power to:
- receive allegations and findings of reportable conduct
- assess an organisation’s systems to prevent, notify, and investigate reportable conduct
- provide oversight of investigations into reportable allegations
- investigate allegations in some circumstances
- share allegations, findings and other information with the Victoria Police, SSR's WWC Check scheme, other regulators such as VIT and VECRA or professional registration bodies
- build the capacity of organisations to respond to allegations of abuse
- report to the Victorian Parliament on performance of the Reportable Conduct Scheme and trends.
The Reportable Conduct Scheme does not replace or interfere with police investigations. We work with Victoria Police to make sure allegations of criminal conduct are dealt with appropriately.
What the SSR does with allegations we receive
We carefully consider all allegations and information we receive. When we oversee an investigation by an organisation under the Reportable Conduct Scheme, the SSR may decide to:
- provide the organisation responding to the allegation support and guidance
- check that the organisation is handling the allegation in an appropriate and timely manner
- refer allegations and findings to Victoria Police, relevant regulators such as VIT, VECRA or other professional accreditation bodies
- refer allegations and findings to be assessed under the WWC Check scheme.
SSR investigations
While a key purpose of the Reportable Conduct Scheme is for the SSR to oversee and monitor organisations responses and investigations to allegations of child abuse and neglect made against their workers and volunteers, in some circumstances the SSR may conduct its own investigations. These are referred to as own motion investigations.
The SSR may commence an own motion investigation if the SSR:
- considers it is in the public interest for the SSR to investigate and there is evidence to support a belief, on reasonable grounds, that the alleged conduct occurred, or
- is advised by an organisation or regulator they will not, or are unable to, investigate the reportable allegation.
The SSR may also investigate any inappropriate handling of, or response to, a reportable allegation by an organisation or a regulator if the SSR considers it is in the public interest.
Information sharing
Information sharing is a key element of the Reportable Conduct Scheme. This enables the different organisations that are part of the child safety system to identify and address risks to children.
Under the Reportable Conduct Scheme information is shared with:
- Victoria Police
- WWC Check – this includes all allegations and all findings and may result in a reassessment of the worker or volunteer’s WWC Clearance.
- Worker Carer Exclusion Scheme – this includes relevant allegations and findings
- relevant regulators, such as the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) and the Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority (VECRA)
A finding that a person has engaged in reportable conduct triggers an assessment of whether that person is suitable to continue to work or volunteer with children. An assessment may also take place where WWC Check is made aware of child safety risk information like serious allegations of abuse that are under investigation. This may lead to the suspension or revocation of a person’s WWC Clearance. WWC Check may impose an interim bar or suspension while an investigation is underway and they assess the risk they pose.
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