Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable People Handbook

SECTION THREE NOTIFICATION & REPORTING PROCEDURES

3.1 When and how to report It is the responsibility of all members to follow the correct procedures when reporting any suspected case of abuse against a child or vulnerable person. It is important for members to understand the different requirements when reporting the suspected abuse of a child to that of reporting the suspected abuse of a vulnerable adult. In your role as a St John SA Member you MUST report any suspected child abuse or neglect under mandatory reporting requirements to Families SA using their documented processes, as well as internally following the correct procedures. Whilst mandatory reporting to a government authority for the suspected abuse of vulnerable adults in SA does not currently exist, you also have obligations in your role as a member of St John to report this suspected abuse following the procedures outlined in this document. It is important to understand the vulnerable adults have the right to consent to any intervention and this is an important requirement when dealing with any suspected abuse. The following sections outline the different reporting requirements for members when confronted with the suspected abuse of a child and the suspected abuse of a vulnerable adult. When and how to report suspected child abuse or neglect. Whilst performing your duties as a St John Member you are required to notify the Families SA Child Abuse Report Line (CARL), Phone: 13 14 78 or their online reporting system, as well as the St John SA Child & Vulnerable Persons Officer , when you have suspicion on reasonable grounds that a child or young person has been abused and/or neglected when: Physical signs of physical or sexual abuse are observed A child displays other behaviours and there is no other satisfactory explanation A child tells you she/he has been abused A child tells you they know of someone who has been abused You hear about it from someone who is in a position to provide reliable information eg friend, neighbour, child’s relative or sibling

A child tells you they have been exposed to family violence.

You can also choose to lodge your notification online via the Families SA website. (Do not use the online notification for serious concerns) If a Member is unsure whether there are reasonable grounds to make a report, they may consult with a social worker on the CARL number rather than make a notification in the first instance. Notification to the St John SA Child & Vulnerable Persons Officer allows St John SA to manage the allegation appropriately, work with Families SA and appropriate authorities on any actions required, as well as provide support and guidance to those involved. All notifications are managed in the strictest confidence. Reporting suspected child abuse or neglect. In making a notification a Member will be asked to provide, where possible, the information listed below. It is not necessary to have all of the information to make a notification: Member’s name, title, organisation, address and relationship to the child the child/ren’s name, age and address reason for suspecting abuse or neglect alleged perpetrator’s name, age, address and relationship to child/ren an assessment of the immediate risk to the child/ren any arrangements that may exist for the care and protection of the child/ren a description of the injury, behaviour, or condition observed Following notification to CARL, the member must then report the suspected child abuse or neglect internally by contacting the Child & Vulnerable Persons Officer and completing a Suspected Abuse Report Form (attached in annexure 3). For further information please refer to the following guidelines produced by the Government of South Australia, Department of Education and Child Development. current whereabouts of the child/ren ethnicity, eg aboriginal, kinship group, non-english speaking.

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Member Handbook July 2016 St John Ambulance SA Inc