Safeguarding Solutions Australia

It is alleged that students posed as judges, defence lawyers and prosecutors during the “mock trial”. Hazing isn’t just a workplace issue - it happens in education, sport, recreation, hobby groups, and the targets are often children or vulnerable adults. https://lnkd.in/gUHCZ8mv

Six students have been expelled, and 21 suspended at St Paul's College. The suspended students were “bystanders who failed to intervene”. We applaud this firm action. https://lnkd.in/gUBq-XMd

🚨NDIS ALERT🚨Boards, executives and officers - take note. Provider penalties will increase from a max of $400k to over $15 million when a participant is hurt or injured under the providers care. Getting your participant risk assessments right is essential. We can help. https://lnkd.in/gjTnGwbK

Safety matters.

⚠ Safeguarding, Duty of Care & Abuse Law Litigation Alert ⚠ In 2022-23, ***240*** child-on-child sexual abuse incidents were reported to police by Vic Gov primary schools. More than half of the incidents involved children under 10... These alarming statistics should be of immediate concern for all primary and secondary education, care, and recreation services. Victorian organisations bound by the Child Safe Standards have a legal duty to prevent not only the risk of harm and abuse to children by adults but also peer-to-peer harm. We urge providers to reflect on their risk management strategies and seek expert assistant in ensuring that prevention approaches are effective, and response protocols are appropriate. Sadly, for this child, it is alleged that the school failed to respond to an extremely serious allegation of sexual assault. In this case, it is alleged; - The school did not take immediate action after the incident. Instead, it sent to alleged victim back to class with the subject of allegation - The incident was not reported to the authorities as required. - The school only took action after the alleged victim's parents complained. - No psychological or emotional support was offered to the alleged victim. Need assistance with managing the risk of peer to peer harm? We can help #safeguarding #primaryschool #secondaryschool #education #primaryeducation #childabuse #sexualassault #childsafestandards #ccyp #riskmanagement Independent Schools Victoria Independent Schools Queensland Australian Professional Teachers Association (APTA) https://lnkd.in/gzXeXmwu

Child Protection worker submits ChatGPT authored report to the Court...DFFH subsequently reviewed 796 cases and found 100 cases with indicators that ChatGPT may have been used to draft documents such as court reports, case notes, case plans, and risk assessments. 13% of surveyed staff confirmed using ChatGPT in a 6-month period. The Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner report is exceptionally interesting reading and provides helpful guidance in the Compliance Notice about sensible the steps that many organisations should consider to deal with the two primary issues; privacy breaches arising from uploading information to AI systems, and relying on AI systems to form opinions, assessments, and evidence. Predictive text is not professional practice. https://lnkd.in/gX5USu4V

Exposure to #ova and #psychosocialhazards in the #disability sector? Refresh your staff and participant risk register with the Safeguarding Solutions Australia team. Reach out for more info about how we can help you keep your workers and participants safe and well.

There have been a number of arrests of Australian citizens alleged to have run "prostitution rackets" out of spas in Bali. One alleged victim is 17 years old. Thats sex-trafficking and child exploitation. Not a "prostitution racket". https://lnkd.in/gYQyrBmm

Q: How can Safeguarding Solutions Australia assist lawyers representing victim-survivors of institutional harm and abuse? A: Safeguarding specialists are ideally positioned to both strategic advice and expert opinions in abuse law cases because we possess a deep understanding of the systems, policies, and practices that are in place to protect vulnerable children, young people, and adults. Our multidisciplinary knowledge enables us to undertake robust, impartial, and independent assessments of risk factors, identify gaps in case management and complaints management practices, evaluate the quality and appropriateness of care and care planning, and opine whether appropriate preventive measures were taken. With extensive experience in institutional and historic abuse investigations, case reviews, and expert opinion, safeguarding professionals bring a unique, evidence-based perspective that strengthens legal strategies and aids in the pursuit of justice for survivors. Reach out today to arrange a consultation. #safeguarding #abuselaw #historicabuse #sexualabuse #physicalabuse #neglect #litigation #negligence #torts #damages #classaction #compensation

How come #safeguarding investigations take so long? Generally, these #investigations need to satisfy both (1) #regulatory requirements *and* (2) #industrial requirements. This increases due diligence. Where multiple obligations are imposed, a report needs to meet the prescribed expectations of the regulatory body and practice standards established by the Fair Work Commission via precedent. For example, Reportable Conduct Investigation into alleged misconduct must satisfy the legal obligations set out by the Commission for Children and Young People Victoria, and, if relied upon industrially, must be procedurally fair and naturally just to satisfy the Fair Work Commission. Get it wrong and you're likely to be subject to both regulatory scrutiny and potential enforcement, and an industrial dispute resulting in a potential financial penalty...even if the misconduct is substantiated. Don't risk it. We can help.