01 AugKeeping all our children safe

Posted on 01 Aug 2023

The team at ELAA was highly distressed to read in the media on Tuesday about the large number of cases of child abuse, occurring over many years, and the subsequent arrest of an Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) worker in Queensland.  

All children have a right to be safe, in every environment.  

Cases like these rightfully make us worry about whether we are doing enough to keep children safe, and what more can be done. 

Here is a reminder of a few key things ECEC providers can do to keep children safe. 

Pay attention when recruiting 

• All employers should conduct thorough reference checks and speak to current or recent managers and senior managers.  
• You need to ask explicit questions about an employee’s conduct, like does the past employer have any concerns about their conduct, even if minor? The same vigilance should be applied to volunteers and students. 

Working with Children Check or VIT registration 

• Regularly check the status of your educators, volunteers and students’ Working With Children (WWC) Checks and Victorian Institute of Teaching registration.  
• Keep a record of the WWC application receipt or Check number of all educators, volunteers and students at your service  
• Carefully look at the WWC physical cards or digital cards (via the Service Victoria app or a PDF hardcopy) and record the number, expiry date and card type (‘E’ for paid employees or ‘V’ for volunteers) 
• Ensure educators notify Services Vic within 21 days of commencing child-related work with your organisation and that they include your organisation’s correct address. They must also notify Services Vic whenever their personal and contact details change within 21 days of becoming aware of the change.  

Keep a watchful eye and listen to your gut 

• If you see, hear or note anything unusual about how an employee is interacting with a child or children, or images on their computer or devices, alert your supervisor. 
• Keep an eye on close relationships with parents and guardians and/or children that don’t seem right. 
• Educate yourself on signs of grooming – https://bravehearts.org.au/about-child-sexual-abuse/what-is-grooming/  
• Re-read the Child Safe Standards https://ccyp.vic.gov.au/child-safe-standards/the-11-child-safe-standards/ . These standards need to be living documents in your service. Everyone needs to observe them and know how and when to act. They must be embedded in every day thinking and practice. 

Be mindful of children’s images and online environments 

• Implement image policies that ensure permission is granted to use children’s images, and that images are withdrawn from use after a period of time. 

Supporting your teachers and educators

• Be You- https://beyou.edu.au/
• Benestar- (VECTEA20 respondents only) – Benestar | EAP, Critical Incident Response, Organisational Development services
• Self care tips – https://thesector.com.au/2023/07/28/top-tips-on-self-care-designed-to-help-ecec-leaders-to-thrive/
• Smiling mind- https://www.smilingmind.com.au/
• Your own EAP

Remember, keeping children safe is all our responsibility, all the time.