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Policies and plans

If you would like to access a policy not currently available online, please email the department.

Documents provided on the website can also be provided in other formats. Email us to request documents in another format.

Children and Young People

Children and Young People

Children and Young People Policy

DHS recognises children and young people are valued citizens and that the future of South Australia is linked to their wellbeing. It is vital to South Australia that all children and young people have the chance to thrive.

We want each child and young person to:

  • be safe from harm
  • do well at all levels of learning and to have skills for life
  • enjoy a healthy lifestyle
  • be active citizens who have a voice and influence.

These outcomes are set out in the Children and Young People (Safety) Act 2017.

Every person in South Australia must protect and promote these outcomes for children and young people.

DHS supports children and young people to feel:

  • safe
  • valued
  • respected, and
  • encouraged to reach their individual potential.

DHS powers and responsibilities

The department has certain powers and responsibilities around the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. We take these powers seriously and will provide early intervention when there is a risk that children and young people will be harmed.

DHS is a key partner in the South Australian Government’s Child and Family Support System (CFSS) reform activities.

We educate our staff

We continue to develop a culture in the department where the protection and support of children and young people is key. We make all staff, including new hires, aware of their responsibilities in this area.

DHS ensures staff include child safety and protection all aspects of their work. Everyone must follow the:

Protection and support of children and young people is part of:

  • DHS screening processes
  • recruitment and selection
  • regular compliance reviews.

This is our responsibility as set out in the Child Safety (Prohibited Persons) Act 2016. It is one of the ways we support the provision of child-safe environments.

Mandated notifiers

Many of our staff are ‘mandated notifiers’. This means if they suspect risk or harm to a child or young person, which they identify while performing their duties with DHS, they must report it.

Receive this information in other formats

Documents provided here can be provided in other formats. Email us to request alternative formats.

Feedback and helplines

If you believe that someone working for DHS has broken the Working with Children and Young People Code of Conduct, you can send us feedback or complaints.

If you believe a child or young person is at risk of harm, phone the Child Abuse Report Line on 13 14 78.

You may also seek support from:

Legislative requirements

DHS is responsible for administering:

Legislation regarding Child Safe Environments.

Community Services Policy

Community Services Policy

Not all policies are available online but more will be made available over time.

If you would like to access a policy not currently available online, please email us.

Please note that documents provided on the website can also be provided in other formats. Please email us to request alternative document formats.

  • Aboriginal Impact Statement Policy
  • Information Sharing Guidelines Policy
  • Policy Development and Review Policy
  • Volunteering Policy

Corporate Policies

Corporate Policies

Assets and Facilities

Workplace Surveillance Devices Policy

Critical Client Incidents

Critical Client Incident Policy (PDF 245.5 KB)

Critical Client Incident Disclosure Policy (PDF 304.5 KB)

Office of the Chief Executive

Customer Feedback and Complaints Policy

Workplace equality and respect

All forms of violence are unacceptable, regardless of gender. However, evidence shows overwhelmingly that women experience domestic, family or sexual violence at higher rates, both in Australia and around the world.

DHS is participating in the Equal Opportunity Commission’s Workplace Equality and Respect Project, which aims to prevent violence against women by addressing the social conditions that cause it. Research shows that to reduce violence against women we must first improve gender equality.

As part of the project, we’ve developed a Workplace Equality and Respect Action Plan to guide our department’s efforts to prevent violence against women. The plan promotes equal participation in the workforce, respectful relationships between the genders, and the breaking down of harmful stereotypes about each gender’s role in society. It is in line with the Our Watch Workplace Equality and Respect Standards.

Gender equality and respect is everyone’s responsibility and our workplace has a vital role to play in creating cultural change to stop violence against women. Together, we can contribute to a South Australia where women and their children live free from violence.

Resources

If you need help

Emergency contact numbers

Screening Policies

Screening Policies

Not all policies are available online but more will be made available over time.

If you would like to access a policy not currently available online, please contact us.

Please note that documents provided on the website can also be provided in other formats. Please contact us to request alternate document formats.

  • Screening Unit Information Privacy Policy
Page last updated : 06 Dec 2021

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