Legislation, Policy and circulars

The links below on this page are to government sites including SWSAHS. Each respective government agency is responsible for the content of these sites and the accuracy of the information contained.

A. Interagency Guidelines

For reference: NSW Interagency Guidelines for Child Protection Intervention, 2000 Edition (HTML Version) PDF Version

B. Relevant Legislation

Introduction to relevant legal issues

Children (Care and Protection) Act 1987 RTF file - download and open in a word processor

Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 RTF file - download and open in a word processor

The Crimes (Female Genital Mutilation) Act 1995 - as consolidated into the Crimes Act 1900 - RTF file - download and open in a word processor

Child Protection (Prohibited Employment) Act 1998 RTF file - download and open in a word processor

Commission for Children and Young People Act 1998 RTF file - download and open in a word processor

Ombudsman Amendment (Child Protection and Community Services) Act 1998 as consolidated into the Ombudsman Act 1974 - RTF file - download and open in a word processor

You can search for other legislation not listed on this page by visiting the Internet at
www.austlii.edu.au

C. NSW Health Policies

NSW Health Child Protection Policy and Procedures Manual, 1997

Information Privacy Code of Practice, Second Edition, NSW Health, December 1998.

Publication: NSW Health Services Frontline Procedures for the Protection of Children and Young People, December 2000

D. NSW Health Circulars

97/58: Incidents Reportable to the Department

97/80: Procedures for Recruitment and Employment of Staff and Other Persons - Vetting and Management of Allegations and Improper Conduct

97/135: Notification of Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect and Exchanging Information in Child Protection Investigations

98/29 Subpoenas

99/18 NSW Health Privacy Code of Conduct

99/65 Ombudsman Amendment (Child Protection and Community Services) Act 1998 - allegations of Child Abuse

2000/55 - Policy and procedure for employment screening of staff and other persons in child related areas

2000/62 - NSW Health Privacy Management Plan

2000/69 - NSW Department of Health policy on employment screening using criminal record checks

2000/76 Policy and Procedures for Employment Screening of Staff and other persons in child related areas - amendment to attachments

2002/101 Neonatal abstinence syndrome guidelines

2003/16 – Protecting Children and Young People: Recognising and reporting suspected risk of harm and responding to requests from the Department of Community Services

E. SWSAHS policies, procedures and plans

Strategic Directions in Child Protection 1998-2000: The SWSAHS Strategic Plan for the Protection of Children and Young people from Physical Abuse, Emotional Abuse and Neglect

SWSAHS Child Protection Policy and Procedure: Emergency Paging System for Contacting the Department of Community Services Helpline, June 2001

SWSAHS Child Protection Policy and Procedure: Allegations of Child Abuse Against a Health Service Employee, July 2002

SWSAHS Child Protection Policy and Procedure: Provision of Information to DoCS Under Section 248 of the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998, October 2002

SWSAHS Implementation Plan for Responding to Section 17 ‘Best Endeavours' Requests for Services from the Department of Community Services (18th December 2000).