Reportable Conduct Investigations

 

EIS provides an investigation service to organisations to help them respond to allegations involving children. There are many reasons why organisations should utilise an external professional to conduct a reportable conduct investigation. 

​

Internal handling of a reportable conduct allegation may not be appropriate, due to allegations of bias, insufficient skills or resources to conduct a thorough investigation, or a lack of experience and expertise to conduct time consuming complex investigations.

​

Outsourcing the investigation process to an independent specialist is the best way to ensure that there is no compromise of procedural fairness and allows you to remain focussed on your core business whilst avoiding a conflict of interest, or a perceived conflict. 

​

As the reportable conduct investigation will be subject to review by an external body, engaging an independent investigator will give you peace of mind knowing that the investigation process can commence at short notice and follow best practice guidelines and withstand external scrutiny. 

​

The Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 (The Act) sets out the types of incidents that form reportable conduct, these are: 

​

• Sexual offences

• Sexual misconduct

• Physical violence

• Behaviour likely to cause significant emotional or psychological harm

• Significant neglect

​

An investigation conducted by EIS will be to the highest standard with mitigations in place to ensure that no child victim is retraumatised by the investigation and/or interview process. Our principal investigator is an accomplished interviewer with nearly three decades of experience, doctoral level tertiary qualifications and has completed professional industry training related to interviewing children in the context of reportable allegations. 

​

An EIS reportable conduct investigation will ensure that: 

​

• a detailed investigation plan is prepared

• all relevant evidence is gathered and assessed

• chain of evidence principles is adhered to

• all relevant evidence is securely stored and documented 

• all interviews are conducted in an environment that makes the witness feel culturally safe 

• that the rights of the child are respected 

• no emotional or psychological harm comes to witnesses as a result of the investigation process or interview

• where required, a child psychologist or other professional is included in the interview process

• compliance to regulatory frameworks is maintained

​

Investigations conducted by EIS are carried out according to the principles of procedural fairness with the balance of probabilities applied as the standard of proof in deciding whether or not the allegation is reportable conduct under The Act. Due to the seriousness of reportable allegations the Briginshaw test is applied which requires that the more serious the allegation, a substantiated finding must be supported by strong evidence. 

​

The report will clearly set out all the allegations and our findings as to whether the reportable conduct happened, with all evidence contained in the report, which will give you everything you need to confidently make a reliable decision.

​