Information for NSW Health staff
Mandatory Reporters
NSW Health mandatory reporters include:
- all NSW Health staff who deliver health care wholly or in part to children, young people and families,
- health managers whose duties include direct responsibility for, or direct supervision of, the delivery of health care wholly or in part to children, young people and families.
NSW Health mandatory reporters have a responsibility for identifying and reporting children, young people or an unborn child at risk of significant harm from abuse or neglect.
If you have a concern for a child:
- complete the Mandatory Reporter Guide (MRG) tool to help you identify if there is risk of significant harm. You can access the MRG at http://www.keepthemsafe.nsw.gov.au/home. Hard copies of the MRG are also available at health workplaces.
- if you identify risk of significant harm, call the Child Protection Helpline on 133 627 (for mandatory reporters) or 132 111 (for the general public) or in an emergency, call 000.
- Health Child Wellbeing Units (CWU) provide advice to NSW Health workers on what action to take and who to talk to about concerns for children at risk.
- contact child protection professionals at the CWU on 1300 480 420:
- if you are uncertain about what action to take
- need help on how to use the Mandatory Reporter Guide (MRG)
- to inform the CWU of concerns for a child or young person below the threshold for risk of significant harm
- where the Mandatory Reporter Guide advises you to do so.
Keep Them Safe – Making a Child Protection Report IB2010_005 outlines the legislative requirements of NSW Health staff in protecting and supporting the safety, welfare and wellbeing of children and young people.