Some weeks ago I made an Integrity Commission complaint regarding illegal conduct of a child protection worker.

Section 16 of the Children and Young Person's Act 1997 provides anonymity for mandatory notifiers (ie people who have to make complaints). A breach of anonymity allows for a 12 month jail sentence.

Surprisingly both the Ombudsman and the Integrity Commissioner were satisfied that Child Protection policies and procedures had been updated sufficiently and there was no need for further action.

This means that serious breaches of the act are tolerated.

This means that Child Protection Workers can break the law without being made to account.

In several weeks I'll be meeting with the Deputy Secretary, Gail Eaton-Briggs and Director, Pamela Honan to discuss a range of child protection issues. Since I don't get these opportunities very often I would like your comments.

Whether it's just for names sake, an officer usually has a commission, a higher responsibility than a worker, an important role, a greater responsibility.

It's time that Child Safety Services raise the bar and subject their Child Safety Officers to professional clearance like any other profession that deals with children.