Child Safety Review update
The health, safety, wellbeing and protection of children attending early childhood education and care (ECEC) services continues to be of the highest priority for national, state and territory governments.
The Review of Child Safety Arrangements under the National Quality Framework identified that while the National Quality Framework (NQF) is a robust regulatory scheme, with a strong focus on continuous quality improvement, more can be done to refine and strengthen the NQF and the National Quality Standard (NQS).
The National Model Code was introduced in July 2024, following the review, undertaken by the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) being published in December 2023. Policy positions were drafted for the eight expedited recommendations followed by consultation to determine targets in August 2024. Work has now begun on drafting policy papers for non-expedited recommendations. In addition, ACECQA has started drafted the content for the NQF Child Safe Guide and NQF eSafety Guide.
National Model Code
The National Model Code has been well received by the sector since its release on 1 July 2024. There has been positive feedback about the importance of the National Model Code in providing guidance to the education and care sector in relation to the use of service-issued electronic devices. Several peaks (bodies that represent members or entities within a specified industry, sector, profession or trade), services and employee representatives have been promoting the National Model Code, as well as many services adopting the code if they haven't previously. All services are encouraged to adopt the code.
ACECQA has developed supporting resources to assist approved providers, educators, other staff, families and carers to learn more about the National Model Code.
Expedited recommendations
In July, policy and regulatory experts from all jurisdictions (except Tasmania who were unable to attend) met in Brisbane to develop policy positions and the proposed implementation approach for the expedited recommendations.
The approach included changes to all but one of the prioritised recommendations from what was endorsed in-principle by Education Ministers in February 2024.
The changes better address the intent of the recommendations in a way that can be prioritised and includes comprehensive guidance to the sector to promote improved compliance with current requirements and support embedding cultural change.
Consultation
From 12 to 13 August 2024, targeted consultation was undertaken with early childhood education and care peak bodies, employee representatives, Catholic and Independent schools' representatives, and experts in their respective fields.
In addition, an online survey was developed to capture data on levels of support for the proposed approach to each prioritised recommendation.
Targeted consultation confirmed support for, and informed the development of, a comprehensive implementation approach for the eight prioritised recommendations.
The proposed actions are in relation to:
- child safe culture
- safe online environment
- the capture, use, storage and disposal of images and videos of children
- notification timelines
- e-cigarettes.
Next steps
Policy options for the remaining recommendations are currently being drafted.
In late October 2024, the jurisdictional ECEC policy and regulatory experts met in Brisbane to develop policy options for these recommendations. As a results, policy papers will be finalised and submitted to all Education Ministers for approval.
A full consultation process will be undertaken next year for the remaining recommendations, as well as four elements from the expedited recommendations which require further consideration and consultation.
The four elements are:
- mandating use of service-issued devices
- prohibiting personal electronic devices
- requiring parental authority to record children
- incorporating educators in scope of penalty provisions for failure to report.
Updates will continue to be provided as the review progresses.