April 2026
Welcome to the April 2026 edition of the Specialised Substitute Residential Care (SSRC) Newsletter.
As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting SSRC providers, our 2026 newsletter series provide key updates on legislative requirements, compliance expectations, and child safety obligations. This month's newsletter provides practical steps providers must take to strengthen child safety and meet their obligations under the SSRC framework.
We welcome both existing SSRC providers and newly registered providers to the sector.
Join us for the Child Safe Roadshow in Albury!
Join us for an engaging and practical sessions focused on building stronger, safer environments for children.
On Wednesday 6 May 2026, take part in a series of interactive workshops and individual discussions designed to deepen understanding of what it means to be Child Safe in practice.
The sessions are open to any organisation or individual working with children. Providers are encouraged to spread the word and invite staff, colleagues, and team members to attend.
We're also holding specific sessions for early learning educators!
Learn more about our SAFE Series Protective Behaviours Program, designed for children under 6.
Register for our evening session at 6:30pm on Tuesday 5 May 2026 or join our ECEC specific all-day session on Thursday 7 May starting at 9.30am. This all-day session will
focus on the Child Safe Standards, risk management, and child-safe recruitment.
Child safety starts before placement
Creating safe environments for children and young people begins well before a placement is made.
Strong recruitment practices, compliance with Child Safe Standards, Working with Children Check (WWCC) obligations, and effective reportable conduct processes all play a critical role in preventing harm before it occurs.
Providers must ensure systems are active, current, and embedded across every level of their organisation - from leadership and governance to frontline care.
Child Safe Recruitment: Prevention begins before engagement
Under the Child Safe Standards, organisations must ensure recruitment practices are designed to:
- employ people who are suitable to work with children
- identify people who may pose risks to children through a robust screening process
- reinforce child safety expectations from the outset.
Effective child safe recruitment includes:
- identifying which roles involve child‑related work
- advertising and including position descriptions which explicitly reference child safety responsibilities
- referee checks that explore conduct, boundaries and suitability
- induction processes which reinforce child safety through incorporating child safe code of conduct and providing training on child safety and reporting obligations.
Employers must also:
- verify a WWCC application number or WWCC number online before engagement
- re-verify renewed WWCC every five years
- maintain accurate and up-to-date WWCC records
- immediately remove anyone from child-related work if their WWCC becomes barred, interim barred, or has expired.
These obligations equally apply to:
- Principal Officers
- Board Members
- paid employees
- volunteers
- contractors
- students on placement or undertaking vocational training where their role involves child‑related work.
Leadership update
The NSW Government confirmed the appointment of Rachael Ward as NSW Children’s Guardian, effective 4 February 2026. Also in February 2026, Bianca Dufty commenced as Deputy Children’s Guardian.
With new leadership comes a continued focus on strengthening child safe practice and provider accountability across the SSRC sector.
Ms Ward previously served as Acting Children’s Guardian and brings extensive experience in child protection law and regulatory leadership.
“I look forward to our continued work to make NSW safer for children and young people, and people living with disability.” - Rachael Ward, Children’s Guardian
Supporting this leadership, Bianca Dufty commenced as Deputy Children’s Guardian in February 2026.
A proud Ngemba and Gamilaraay woman, Ms Dufty brings significant experience in family law and Aboriginal legal services, with a strong focus on collaboration, cultural safety, and improving outcomes for Aboriginal children and young people. Ms Dufty lives and works on unceded Dharawal Country.
“I believe in collaboration, deep listening, and incorporating Aboriginal ways of being, knowing, and doing into how we work together—valuing diverse perspectives, building authentic relationships, and understanding that the best outcomes emerge from collective wisdom.” - Bianca Dufty, Deputy Children’s Guardian
Listen to Rachael Ward explain the importance of regularly talking with children and young people and how these conversations help create safer environments.
Training and webinars
To support providers in meeting their obligations, the Office of the Children’s Guardian continues to deliver practical training, webinars, and guidance.
A Reportable Conduct Webinar is now available. The Webinar covers:
- identifying reportable allegations
- risk management
- reporting responsibilities
- leadership obligations.
Principal Officers are strongly encouraged to view the recording if they are unable to attend and share it with relevant staff and leadership teams.
Strong compliance starts with strong understanding.
How Reportable Conduct and WWCC intersect
Any agency providing SSRC is captured under the Reportable Conduct Scheme. This means your agency must notify the Office of the Children’s Guardian of any reportable allegation within 7 business days of the Head of Relevant Entity (HRE) becoming aware of the allegation.
Information arising from reportable conduct processes may inform WWCC risk assessment decisions. Where a worker’s WWCC status changes as a result, the employer will be notified and must take immediate action. This reinforces why:
- reportable conduct matters must be reported promptly and rigorously
- WWCC monitoring must be active and ongoing - not “set and forget”.
Employers cannot delegate legal responsibility for these actions, even where third-party providers assist with verification or administration. Legal responsibility remains with the provider.
We strongly encourage all SSRC providers to familiarise themselves with the Reportable Conduct Scheme.
This includes reviewing useful fact sheets which can answer any questions you may have regarding the scheme, as well as notification forms to familiarise yourself with the information we require.
Contact us
If you need help or have questions, please contact us at ssrc@ocg.nsw.gov.au
Enquiries can also be sent to the Reportable Conduct Team at reportableconduct@ocg.nsw.gov.au
Updates from the Office of the Children’s Guardian and additional resources can be accessed via the link below.
If you see something, you should say something.
Call police if you believe a child is at risk of abuse.
NSW Police: 000
Child Protection Helpline: 132 111
