Reportable Conduct Obligations of Schools and How to Avoid Flawed Investigations

The Victorian government has passed the Children Legislation Amendment (Reportable Conduct) Act 2017 introducing a “reportable conduct” scheme to regulate how schools identify, investigate and respond to child safety allegations made against employees. The new laws commence on 1 July 2017. Is your school ready to comply?

In this essential briefing for non-government schools, FCB Workplace Law partner and accredited specialist in workplace relations, Paul O’Halloran, will provide you with guidance on the new reportable conduct obligations of Victorian schools and school Principals, as well as best practice workplace investigation skills.

What is covered?

Attendees will learn the following:

• What are the reportable conduct laws?
• Who can make complaints and what don’t schools have to investigate?
• What are the legal obligations on school Principals?
• Can police and school investigations operate concurrently and what are the implications?
• How can schools comply with reportable conduct laws?
• How can schools avoid flawed workplace investigations when investigating reportable conduct?
• When and why should schools use an independent investigator to investigate reportable conduct?

The workshop will be conducted in a small group of like-minded education professionals encouraging round table discussion.

Who should attend?

The following professionals from non-government schools should attend:

• Principals
• Deputy Principals
• HR professionals in schools
• Business Managers
• Parish priests (where the parish controls the school)