Important Updates – Safety Quality & Care Legal Services

Improving education and care services – our initial thoughts…

There is much discussion and debate about the current state of education and care services in Australia. We must remember that overwhelmingly, approved providers, early childhood teachers, educators and other…

National Child Safety Review – Our Submission

The Commonwealth Government is currently considering various options to improve child safety in education and care services. It recently published a Consultation Regulation Impact Statement to explain what is being…

Protecting Children’s Counselling and Health Records during Family Law Proceedings

The Family Law Amendment Act 2024 (Cth) makes a number of significant amendments to the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth). One of the significant amendments is to enable a Court…

Current State of Education and Care Services in Victoria

There has been recent significant media attention about the current state of education and care services in Australia. Due to the significant investigative work of the ABC Four Corners Program,…

Improving our response to child sexual abuse

WARNING: This article discusses child sexual abuse and may be triggering or distressing for some people. Please use your discretion before reading this article. Please also take care of yourself…

Child Safe Standards – Focus on Employees and Volunteers

Organisations that must implement the Child Safe Standards must ensure that people working with children and young people are suitable and supported to provide for the safety and wellbeing of…

New Social Services Regulator

On 1 July 2024, the Social Services Regulator commenced operation. Its powers and functions are set out in the Social Services Regulation Act 2021 (Vic), the Social Services Regulations 2023…

Learnings from the Reportable Conduct Scheme

The Reportable Conduct Scheme commenced on 1 July 2017. It requires certain individuals and organisations that exercise care, supervision and authority over children to comply with the following legal obligations:…

Learnings from a Review of the State education system in Victoria

The Legislative Council Legal and Social Issues Committee of the Parliament of Victoria conducted an inquiry into the state education system in Victoria. At the time of the inquiry, there…