Conduct reporting guide - for registered teachers

I am a registered teacher* and I have a concern that another registered teacher* in a Victorian school has used physical violence against a learner (including behaviour outside the education setting).

For example, a registered teacher*

• deliberately hit, punched or used excessive force when restraining a learner, which caused the learner physical or mental injury.

Reporting guide

The above examples could amount to criminal offences and must be reported to the school and Victoria Police. They can also be reported to CCYP, VIT and VRQA.

I am a registered teacher* and I have a concern that another registered teacher* in a Victorian school has engaged in sexualised behaviour against a learner (including behaviour outside the education setting).

For example, a registered teacher*

• sent inappropriate messages or images to a learner by email, text or another form of electronic messaging
• deliberately touched a learner in a sexual manner, and/or
• committed a sexual offence against a learner.

Reporting guide

The above examples could amount to criminal offences and must be reported to the school, and Victoria Police. They can also be reported to CCYP, VIT and VRQA.

In response to the Betrayal of Trust report, a new criminal offence for failing to protect (or disclose information regarding) a child under the age of 16 from a risk of sexual abuse commenced on 1 July 2015. Read more here.

I am a registered teacher* and I have a concern that another registered teacher* in a Victorian school has demonstrated inappropriate (but not sexual or physically violent) behaviour towards a learner (including behaviour outside the education setting).

For example, a registered teacher*

• used offensive language in class, which caused a learner to feel uncomfortable
• used a racist/derogatory term to describe a learner
• bullied a learner by repeatedly singling them out for discipline, when the learner had done nothing to deserve it
• yelled excessively at a learner when they misbehaved, causing the learner to feel upset and/or unsafe
• restrained a learner by holding their arm (although not in a violent or sexual manner) when it was not necessary or appropriate
• has not adequately responded to disclosure of abuse by a child (read more here), and/or
• threatened violence towards / in front of a learner.

Reporting guide

Some of the above examples could amount to reportable conduct under the Reportable Conduct Scheme and must be reported to the school. They can also be reported to CCYP and VIT. Reportable conduct issues that occur outside the education setting must be reported to CCYP.

Teachers only need to report conduct to the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (Child Protection) if it falls under their mandatory reporting obligations.

I am a registered teacher and I have a concern about another registered teacher’s health or behaviour outside of the school setting.

For example

• a registered teacher displays behaviour suggesting a health concern which may impact their role as a teacher
• I have concerns about a teacher’s behaviour outside the school setting which may impact their role as a teacher, and/or
• I have concerns that a teacher may not be registered.

Reporting guide

The above examples could amount to breaches of the Victorian Teaching Profession’s Code of Conduct and should be reported to the school and VIT.

I am a registered teacher and I have a concern about the content / curriculum being delivered and/or the type of assessment in a Victorian school, or I have a concern about how complaints and policies are being addressed.

For example

• the topics covered in a lesson did not relate to the Australian or Victorian Curriculum
• the amount of assessment required of learners is excessive
• I have concerns about the school's compliance with the Child Safe Standards
• the school has not adequately handled a complaint or issue I raised with them, and/or
• the school has made decisions which are not in line with school policies.

Reporting guide

The above examples could amount to breaches of the Child Safe Standards and/or the VRQA minimum standards and should be reported to the school. They can also be reported to CCYP and VRQA.

I am a registered teacher* and I have a concern that another registered teacher* in a Victorian EC service has used physical violence against a learner (including behaviour outside the education setting).

For example, a registered teacher*

• deliberately hit, punched or used excessive force when restraining a learner, which caused the learner physical or mental injury.

Reporting guide

The above examples could amount to criminal offences and must be reported to the EC service, and Victoria Police. They can also be reported to CCYP, VIT and QARD.

I am a registered teacher* and I have a concern that another registered teacher* in a Victorian EC service has engaged in sexualised behaviour with a learner (including behaviour outside the education setting).

For example, a registered teacher*

• sent inappropriate messages or images to a learner by email, text or another form of electronic messaging
• deliberately touched a learner in a sexual manner, and/or
• committed a sexual offence against a learner.

Reporting guide

The above examples could amount to criminal offences and must be reported to the EC service, and Victoria Police. They can also be reported to CCYP, VIT and QARD.

In response to the Betrayal of Trust report, a new criminal offence for failing to protect (or disclose information regarding) a child under the age of 16 from a risk of sexual abuse commenced on 1 July 2015. Read more here.

I am a registered teacher* and I have a concern that another registered teacher* in a Victorian EC service has demonstrated inappropriate (but not sexual or physically violent) behaviour towards a learner (including behaviour outside the education setting).

For example, a registered teacher*

• used offensive language in class, which caused a learner to feel uncomfortable
• used a racist/derogatory term to describe a learner
• bullied a learner by repeatedly singling them out for discipline, when the learner had done nothing to deserve it
• yelled excessively at a learner when they misbehaved, causing the learner to feel upset and/or unsafe
• restrained a learner by holding their arm (although not in a violent or sexual manner) when it was not necessary or appropriate
• has not adequately responded to disclosure of abuse by a child  (read more here), and/or
• threatened violence towards / in front of a learner.

Reporting guide

Some of the above examples could amount to reportable conduct under the Reportable Conduct Scheme and must be reported to the EC service. They can also be reported to CCYP and VIT. Reportable conduct issues that occur outside the education setting must be reported to CCYP.

I am a registered teacher and I have a concern about another registered teacher’s health or behaviour outside of the EC service setting.

For example

• a registered teacher displays behaviour suggesting a health concern which may impact their role as a teacher
• I have concerns about a teacher’s behaviour outside the EC service setting which may impact their role as a teacher, and/or
• I have concerns that a teacher may not be registered.

Reporting guide

The above examples could amount to breaches of the Victorian Teaching Profession’s Code of Conduct and should be reported to the EC service and VIT.

The teacher or EC service may also be required to make a notification to QARD depending on the circumstances.

I am a registered teacher and I have a concern about a learner’s health, safety or wellbeing, relevant legislation being contravened, or how complaints and policies are being addressed in a Victorian EC service.

For example

• I have concerns about the EC service's compliance with the Child Safe Standards
• the EC service has not adequately handled a complaint or issue I raised with them, and/or
• the EC service has made decisions which are not in line with the EC service policies.

Reporting guide

The above examples could amount to breaches of the Child Safe Standards and should be reported to the EC service. They can also be reported to CCYP and QARD.