Raising Concerns
SDN is proud to be a Child Safe Organisation and the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of all children is our priority. We know that child safe cultures create environments where staff and families can identify and report suspected harm of children.
We report suspected abuse, neglect, or mistreatment promptly and lawfully to the appropriate authorities.
What to do if you have concerns about harm or mistreatment of a child in an SDN service
We have high expectations for staff, and all staff must abide by the SDN Code of Conduct.
Anyone, including staff and families, can report any misconduct or concerns about the treatment of children in our services to the SDN Incident Line on 1300 838 152.
This includes reportable allegations, such as Reportable Conduct in NSW or ACT, or a Reportable Incident in the NDIS. Investigations of allegations of misconduct are led by SDN’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kay Turner.
If the risk of harm is immediate, or there are urgent concerns for the child’s health or safety, contact the police immediately on 000.
SDN staff can refer to SDN’s Reporting an Allegation of Possible Reportable Conduct or Reportable Incident procedure.
See also:
- Reportable Conduct Scheme | Office of the Children's Guardian (nsw.gov.au)
- Reportable conduct | ACT Ombudsman
- NDIS Incident Management and Reportable incidents
What to do if you are concerned that a child is at risk of harm at home or in the community
Many staff members at SDN are mandatory reporters. This means they have a legal obligation to report any suspicions they have that a child is at risk of significant harm. At SDN, we take this role seriously and we train our staff to take it seriously too.
You can report concerns by calling the NSW Child Protection Helpline on 132 111 or report online here
In ACT call 1300 556 728 or submit a Child concern report.
If the risk of harm is immediate, or there are urgent concerns for the child’s health or safety, contact the police immediately on 000.
Mandatory reporters do not need approval from their manager to make a report, however, they will need to inform them of any reports made.
Staff should refer to SDN Responding to Concerns of Risk of Harm procedure.
See also: