Commonwealth Child Safe Framework compliance statement
A Statement of Commitment to child safety
Professional Services Review (PSR) does not have any direct interactions with children in day-to-day business activity, however we recognise that it is the shared responsibility of all government agencies to prevent child exploitation and abuse. The welfare of children will always be a priority. PSR has zero tolerance for child abuse and exploitation, and any allegations and concerns for safety of children and young people will be treated most seriously. The Director and Associate Director have an obligation under section 106XA of the Health Insurance Act 1973 to refer a matter to the relevant State or Territory authority if the Director, Associate Director, a Committee, or the Determining Authority, come across material in the course of their duties that indicates that a practitioner’s conduct or failure to act has caused, is likely to cause or is causing a child a significant risk of harm. There is a similar obligation under section 106XB where the Director, Associate Director, a Committee, or the Determining Authority form the opinion a practitioner has failed to comply with professional standards, which could include the practitioner not meeting State or Territory mandatory notification obligations in relation to possible child harm.
PSR believes that all children have a right to feel safe, respected, valued and protected from harm. PSR will not knowingly engage – directly or indirectly – with anyone who poses a threat to children.
If any PSR activity is determined to have an impact on children an assessment of child safety risk will be completed and, depending on the level of risk identified, the appropriate child safety measures will be applied to manage the risk.
PSR has conducted an annual child safety risk assessment regarding the level of direct or indirect contact with children across the agency. PSR notes that there could be high consequences should there be an occurrence and therefore assigns a risk rating of medium. Controls include policies, procedures, practices, processes and technology to modify the risk. All patient records are securely stored and are only available to staff who require access to perform their duties. Should children of staff be in the office we require the parent to monitor the children at all times.
In considering the need to undertake a risk assessment in future years, PSR will consider any types of contact and interactions with children and young people that may occur including:
direct physical contact
face-to-face contact
third party contact
oral communication
written communication
electronic communication.
If PSR employees are required to undertake any type of activity where there will be a direct interaction with a child, or interactions with children, risk assessments will be conducted and appropriate strategies put in place to manage the identified risks.
PSR has taken reasonable and necessary steps to be ‘child safe’. In continuing to comply with the Framework and 10 National Principles, while leveraging the outcome of our annual risk assessment, our key initiatives include:
developing a Child Safety Policy
raising staff awareness of the Child Safety Policy and their obligations under the policy
our senior executive continuing to support the application of the Child Safety Policy
ensuring relevant staff complete required training and get and/or maintain relevant checks.
This Statement of Commitment was approved by the PSR Director (Accountable Authority) on 20 September 2024.