Mandatory Reporting and St John

Every member of St John Norfolk is required, within the framework of St John NSW, to complete annual Child Safety Training. The aim of our child safety training is to ensure that as an organisation, St John provides a safe environment for all children, whether as junior members or as patients. Essentially the training encourages adult members to take responsibility in ensuring that children are heard, their opinions are respected, and they are always kept safe.

As members of St John Norfolk Island, ambulance volunteers fall into the category of mandatory reporters. In accordance with the Child Welfare Act (2009), St John members have a legal responsibility to report to the child welfare officer (Ni Connect) as volunteers engaged in St John duties when (as),

• an adult to whom this section applies reasonably suspects that a child or young person has suffered, or is suffering, or at risk of suffering, sexual abuse or non-accidental physical injury;

and

• the person’s reasons for the belief arise from information obtained by the person during the course of or from the person’s work (whether for remuneration or otherwise);

While I believe that the community would take very reasonable step to ensure our children are kept safe, the law is there to remove any ambiguity surrounding our responsibilities as volunteers. It is also worth noting that providing false, or misleading information, may result in a fine of 50 penalty units, imprisonment for six months, or both.

It is important also to realise, that as St John volunteers, our role isn’t to police; our whole purpose is to make sure you are safe. More than anything else, it matters that everyone is safe, and that we are looking after each other

A copy of the Norfolk Island Child Welfare act can be downloaded at,

Child Welfare Act 2009 (NI), https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2017Q00010/Download

Our next skill drill will be held 8 October, 18:30, at the St John shed on Grassy Road.

If you are interested in becoming a St John volunteer or, for more information about St John Norfolk or first aid training, please email norfolk.island@stjohnnsw.com.au or james.garden@stjohnnsw.com.au