Housing SA

In reply to Ms SANDERSON (Adelaide) (23 July 2014). (Estimates Committee A)

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON (Ramsay—Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers): I have been advised:

1. The Children's Protection Act 1993 (the Act) is committed to the Minister for Education and Child Development.

Section 11(1) of act requires certain people to make a notification if they suspect on reasonable grounds that a child has been, or is being, abused or neglected, and the suspicion is formed in the course of their work (paid or voluntary) or while carrying out official duties.

Under section 11(2)(j) this requirement includes any person who is an employee of, or volunteer in, a government or non-government organisation that provides health, welfare, education, sporting or recreational, child care or residential services wholly or partly for children being a person who:

is either engaged in the actual delivery of those services to children; or

holds a management position in the relevant organisation, the duties of which include direct responsibility for, or direct supervision of, the provision of those services to children.

I am advised that, as a consequence of these provisions, Housing SA staff in service delivery positions are mandatory notifiers.

2. Housing SA service delivery staff are required to contact the Child Abuse Report Line if they suspect on reasonable grounds that a child or young person has been or is being abused or neglected. Housing SA's Mandatory Notification Guidelines expressly state that a child protection notification may be required where the child's living environment is squalid, unhygienic or insanitary.

Maintenance contractors are required under the terms of their contracts to immediately report any potentially hazardous situations, including squalor, to Housing SA for further investigation and follow-up. This may include child protection issues.