The Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS)

What SIRS is

The Serious Incident Response Scheme aims to reduce abuse and neglect in aged care. Every provider must have an incident management system (IMS) to record, manage and learn from incidents, and must tell the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission about reportable incidents.

The 8 reportable incident types

Unreasonable use of force; unlawful sexual contact or inappropriate sexual conduct; psychological or emotional abuse; unexpected death; stealing or financial coercion by a staff member; neglect; inappropriate use of restrictive practices; and unexplained absence from care.

An incident is reportable if it has occurred, is alleged to have occurred or is suspected of occurring — even if it can't be confirmed, even if it's under investigation and even if the older person doesn't want it reported.

Who reports what

Your provider notifies the Commission. Priority 1 incidents — for example where someone needs medical or psychological treatment, sexual misconduct, unexpected death or unexplained absence — must be notified within 24 hours of becoming aware. All other reportable incidents are Priority 2 and must be notified within 30 days.

As a worker, the Commission says you must understand how your provider's IMS works, make sure everybody is safe when an incident happens, record incidents in the IMS and report to external bodies when needed. If an incident may involve a crime or ongoing danger, the police must be notified within 24 hours — by you or someone from your service, following your provider's procedure. If you're unsure, ask your manager.

Speaking up safely

If you think your service's response is inadequate, you can discuss it with your manager if you feel safe to, or contact the Commission directly. The Aged Care Act 2024 protects people who make disclosures, including workers, who can choose to stay anonymous.