Reportable Conduct Investigations

Reportable Conduct investigations by a team you can trust

Reportable conduct investigations are among the most sensitive and legally complex matters an organisation can face. When a child protection allegation is made against one of your employees, volunteers or contractors, the stakes are high — for the child involved, for your organisation and for the respondent. For the safeguarding managers and HR professionals carrying that responsibility, having the right investigator in your corner from day one makes all the difference.

At Insight Investigations we are specialists in this area. Our Director of Investigations, Alex Tawfiq, was invited by the NSW Ombudsman to join an expert panel on reportable conduct investigations — a recognition of the depth of expertise we bring to every matter we take on.

  • What is reportable conduct?

    Under the Children's Guardian Act 2019, NSW Schedule 1 organisations, public authorities and religious bodies are required to investigate allegations made against employees, volunteers or contractors where the alleged conduct falls into one of the following categories:

    • a sexual offence

    • sexual misconduct

    • ill-treatment of a child

    • neglect of a child

    • an assault against a child

    • an offence under s 43B (failure to protect) or s 316A (failure to report) of the Crimes Act 1900

    • behaviour that causes significant emotional or psychological harm to a child

  • Who is covered by the reportable conduct scheme?

    The reportable conduct scheme applies to a broad range of NSW organisations, including:

    • Schools, Catholic schools and early childhood education services

    • Hospitals, health services and community health organisations

    • Disability service providers registered with the NDIS Commission

    • Religious bodies and faith-based organisations

    • Out-of-home care providers

    • Clubs and sporting organisations that work with children

Why choose Insight Investigations? 

Experience is everything in this area. Our investigators have spent years working within NSW Health and other sectors that deal regularly with reportable conduct matters. We understand the legislative framework, the OCG's expectations and the investigative standards required to produce findings that will hold up to scrutiny.

Alex Tawfiq was invited to participate in expert panel discussions on reportable conduct investigations by the NSW Ombudsman — one of only a small number of external investigators to be recognised in this way. When you engage Insight, you are working with investigators who have handled some of the most complex child protection cases in New South Wales.

  • Your obligations under the scheme

    Once your organisation becomes aware of a reportable conduct allegation, you are required to act quickly. The key obligations are:

    1. Submit a 7-day notification to the Office of the Children's Guardian (OCG) within seven days of becoming aware of the allegation.

    2. Submit a 30-day notification to the OCG providing an update on the investigation's progress.

    3. Complete a thorough, legally defensible investigation and submit a final report to the OCG. Missing these deadlines or submitting incomplete notifications can result in compliance issues with the OCG. Getting expert help early makes a significant difference.

  • How Insight Investigations can help

    We take the pressure off your organisation from day one. Here is what we can do for you:

    • Advise whether the alleged conduct falls within the reportable conduct scheme

    • Advise whether the matter requires notification to the police

    • Prepare and submit your 7-day and 30-day Office of the Children’s Guardian (OCG) notifications

    • Prepare a detailed investigation plan

    • Make Chapter 16A requests to relevant agencies to obtain information that may assist the investigation

    • Interview all witnesses, including children, using internationally recognised best practice methods

    • Draft the letter of allegation and interview the respondent (PSOA)

    • Prepare a thorough, legally defensible investigation report with findings on reportable conduct and any code of conduct breaches

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The 7-day notification must be submitted within seven days of your organisation becoming aware of a reportable conduct allegation. It provides initial details of the allegation. The 30-day notification is submitted 30 days later, confirming the investigation is underway and providing a progress report. Insight can prepare both notifications on your behalf. 

  • Yes. Our investigators are trained in and use internationally recognised best practice methods for interviewing children in the context of a child protection investigation. We approach these interviews with the care and sensitivity they require, and we coordinate with relevant agencies where appropriate.

  • Your organisation is required to submit the final investigation report and findings to the OCG. The OCG will review the report and may make its own findings or recommendations. We will guide you through this process and can help you respond to any OCG queries or requests for further information.

  • Our primary focus is New South Wales, where the reportable conduct scheme is well established. We also work with organisations in Queensland, where a similar scheme is being introduced. Contact us to discuss your requirements.

  • Every matter is different, but most reportable conduct investigations take between six and twelve weeks from the date we are engaged, depending on the number of witnesses, the complexity of the allegations and the responsiveness of any relevant agencies. We will give you a realistic timeframe when we discuss your matter.

  • We provide a fee estimate once we have an understanding of the scope of the matter. Our pricing is fair and transparent - we discuss our rates before we begin and keep you informed if the scope changes. Contact us to discuss.

Get expert help with your reportable conduct investigation today.

Complete the enquiry form and we will be in touch to discuss your matter further.

All enquiries are treated as strictly confidential.