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Expectations and Reality
Non-government child and family workers’ experience of mandatory reporting 
The introduction of the Children & Young Persons (Care & Protection Act) 1998 brought about many changes in the NSW child protection system. One of the most significant changes was the extension of mandatory reporting to a greater number of occupational groups. In response to the level of concern about the response to calls made by mandatory reporters, surveys were conducted in 2001 by a consortium of agencies comprising UnitingCare Burnside, ACWA, the Family Support Services Association (now FaMS) and the Women’s Refuge Movement. . The aim of these surveys was to gain an understanding of the experience of non-government agencies in making reports of children at risk of harm and the perceived effectiveness of the new system.
Continuing widespread concern with the NSW child protection system including public and media criticism resulted in the announcement of a Parliamentary Inquiry into child protection in mid 2002. The Legislative Council Standing Committee on Social Issues Inquiry into Child Protection Services released its final report in December 2002 with recommendations for change across all areas of the care and protection system.
Within this context, ACWA undertook to investigate further the factors which influence the making of reports by non-government child and family service providers, the expectations of reporters when they make a report, and their views as to whether or not children are better protected by the new NSW child protection reporting system. This involved in depth interviews with child and family services worker, focussing on factors that influence the decision to report; expectations of what will happen as a consequence of making a report; and their understanding of the difference in reporting to DoCS and the requirements to report to the Ombudsman.
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