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:
- Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy
- Working with Children and Young People Code of Conduct.
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:
- Kids Help Line. Phone 1800 55 1800
- Lifeline. Phone 131 114
- Youth Help Line. Phone 1300 13 17 19
- Parent Help Line. Phone 1300 364 100
Legislative requirements
DHS is responsible for administering:
- the Child Safety (Prohibited Persons) Act 2016
- relevant sections of the Children and Young People (Safety) Act 2017.
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
Diversity and inclusion
Diversity and inclusion
Data Collection and Gender Guideline
Diversity and Inclusion Strategy
Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2020–2023
Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2020–2023 (PDF 4.9 MB)
Disability Access and Inclusion Plan
Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2020–2024
Inclusive SA
Inclusive SA — South Australia's first Disability Inclusion Plan
Reconciliation
Reconciliation
Reconciliation
Statement of Reconciliation
Statement of Reconciliation
Statement of Reconciliation (PDF 764.3 KB)
Reconciliation Action Plan
DHS Innovate Reconcilation Action Plan 2022–2024
DHS Aboriginal Workforce Strategy 2021–2023
DHS Aboriginal Workforce Strategy 2021–2023
DHS Aboriginal Workforce Strategy 2021–2023 (PDF 1.8 MB)
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