The Times Australia
The Times World News

.

how parents and educators can keep childcare services safe from abuse

  • Written by David Bartlett, Industry Fellow, Griffith University
how parents and educators can keep childcare services safe from abuse

Last week, a former childcare centre worker was charged[1] with more than 1,600 child abuse offences, sending shivers through the Australian community. There are about 1.4 million children[2] using a childcare service (including centre-based care, family daycare and outside school hours care) around the country.

In response to a confidential briefing about the case last year, Education Minister Jason Clare set up a review[3] into safety practices in the childcare sector.

This will see the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority work with the Australian Federal Police. They will provide an interim report in October and a final report in December.

Recent Australian research[4] indicates children are most likely to be sexually abused by an adolescent they know (such as a sibling or peer at school) or an adult caregiver in the home.

Nonetheless, the first question parents have understandably asked in the wake of this devastating news is “how could this happen?”. Followed very closely by “is my child safe?”.

We can reduce the likelihood of abuse occurring in childcare centres. This will need governments, childcare services, educators and parents to work together.

Police checks are just the start

Each state and territory requires people who work with children to have a working with children clearance[5].

There are differences between state and territory jurisdictions but applicants are required to prove their identity and provide prior aliases.

At the centre of the process is a police criminal history check. Certain records, including charges or convictions for child sexual offences or other violent offences would see an application denied.

This is a start. But it does not mean all employees with a clearance are trustworthy. Unfortunately, many offenders remain undetected, let alone prosecuted. And working with children may give employees the opportunity to offend for the first time, or trigger previously unrealised motivations to offend.

The man charged with 1,623 child abuse offences in multiple jurisdictions, including Queensland, had passed[6] the state’s “blue card” check, clearing him to work with children.

Children play with play-dough and coloured rocks.
All childcare workers need to pass a working with children check. Shutterstock

Safer recruitment processes

With the current shortage of childcare workers[7], employers may be tempted to expedite the employment of new staff. But rigorous recruitment practices[8] are vital.

A history of frequent job changes and working at multiple sites and organisations – particularly when accompanied by residential relocations – suggests someone might be trying to evade detection.

Verbal reference checks are more effective than written forms or reports. This includes talking directly to past managers and supervisors, including those in other jurisdictions. Questions should include, were there any concerns about their interactions with children? Were they reported? Would the employer hire them again? If not, why not?

The importance of open plan centres

Even if someone motivated to abuse children gets a job, it is still possible to prevent abuse occurring.

The physical environment of a childcare centre and how it is managed can significantly reduce the opportunity for abuse to occur. Open plan centres[9] allow for natural surveillance and reduce the likelihood of offending.

Where possible, it is also important to prevent blind spots (created by moving furniture, covering windows or building cubbies) that obstruct the natural line of sight. If there are blind spots like windowless offices or storerooms, open door policies or CCTV can be used.

On top of all this, centres can require staff to always be in line of sight of another staff member.

Centres should also ban staff from carrying personal mobile phones during work hours and stipulate where they should be stored. If staff need to take photos of children for documentation or parent reports, this can be done on a centre device[10] that is managed and overseen by multiple staff.

An open plan childcare classroom with desks, shelves and shelves.
Open plan centres can help keep children safe. Shutterstock

Read more: Real dirt, no fake grass and low traffic – what to look for when choosing a childcare centre[11]

Beware of cognitive biases

Research on child sexual abuse[12] is full of accounts of disbelief a person could engage in that behaviour.

Both parents and centre workers are susceptible to cognitive biases[13], that can lead them to discount the likelihood a person could abuse children. In the childcare context two factors can increase these biases.

Knowing a person has a working with children check tends to reinforce the view they are a “good person” who would not harm a child.

Child sex abusers also engage in a range of grooming techniques. While community awareness of child grooming techniques is increasing, there is less awareness that offenders often groom parents and colleagues[14]. They do this by ingratiating themselves through acts of kindness and friendship.

These behaviours serve to reinforce they are “good people” and facilitate continued access to children. Overly familiar and personal conduct is another red flag in child-related employment contexts.

Read more: Use proper names for body parts, don't force hugs: how to protect your kids from in-person sexual abuse[15]

Share information

Information sharing is a key part of reducing risk. Centres should have clear processes for staff and parents to safely raise concerns and have them investigated quickly.

Importantly, we must also equip children with the skills to communicate concerns if they arise. This includes teaching them[16] appropriate terminology for body parts and basic rules about safe and unsafe behaviours. This can empower even very young children to disclose abuse.

The vast majority of childcare workers are good people. And if there is clear leadership and governance for childcare centres and good parental awareness, we can improve children’s safety. But we need to remain vigilant.

For support and advice regarding child sexual abuse, you can call Bravehearts[17] on 1800 272 831.

If you are a child, teenager or young adult who needs help and support, you can call Kids Helpline[18] on 1800 55 1800.

If you are an adult who experienced abuse as a child, call the Blue Knot Helpline[19] on 1300 657 380.

You can also call 1800RESPECT[20] on 1800 737 732 to access support for domestic, family and sexual violence.

References

  1. ^ was charged (www.afp.gov.au)
  2. ^ 1.4 million children (www.education.gov.au)
  3. ^ set up a review (www.smh.com.au)
  4. ^ Australian research (www.acms.au)
  5. ^ clearance (ocg.nsw.gov.au)
  6. ^ had passed (www.abc.net.au)
  7. ^ shortage of childcare workers (www.theguardian.com)
  8. ^ recruitment practices (library.nspcc.org.uk)
  9. ^ Open plan centres (doi.org)
  10. ^ done on a centre device (www.smh.com.au)
  11. ^ Real dirt, no fake grass and low traffic – what to look for when choosing a childcare centre (theconversation.com)
  12. ^ child sexual abuse (apo.org.au)
  13. ^ susceptible to cognitive biases (apo.org.au)
  14. ^ groom parents and colleagues (doi.org)
  15. ^ Use proper names for body parts, don't force hugs: how to protect your kids from in-person sexual abuse (theconversation.com)
  16. ^ teaching them (onlinelibrary.wiley.com)
  17. ^ Bravehearts (bravehearts.org.au)
  18. ^ Kids Helpline (kidshelpline.com.au)
  19. ^ Blue Knot Helpline (blueknot.org.au)
  20. ^ 1800RESPECT (www.1800respect.org.au)

Read more https://theconversation.com/we-need-more-than-police-checks-how-parents-and-educators-can-keep-childcare-services-safe-from-abuse-211197

Times Magazine

Building a Strong Online Presence with Katoomba Web Design

Katoomba web design is more than just creating a website that looks good—it’s about building an online presence that reflects your brand, engages your audience, and drives results. For local businesses in the Blue Mountains, a well-designed website a...

September Sunset Polo

International Polo Tour To Bridge Historic Sport, Life-Changing Philanthropy, and Breath-Taking Beauty On Saturday, September 6th, history will be made as the International Polo Tour (IPT), a sports leader headquartered here in South Florida...

5 Ways Microsoft Fabric Simplifies Your Data Analytics Workflow

In today's data-driven world, businesses are constantly seeking ways to streamline their data analytics processes. The sheer volume and complexity of data can be overwhelming, often leading to bottlenecks and inefficiencies. Enter the innovative da...

7 Questions to Ask Before You Sign IT Support Companies in Sydney

Choosing an IT partner can feel like buying an insurance policy you hope you never need. The right choice keeps your team productive, your data safe, and your budget predictable. The wrong choice shows up as slow tickets, surprise bills, and risky sh...

Choosing the Right Legal Aid Lawyer in Sutherland Shire: Key Considerations

Legal aid services play an essential role in ensuring access to justice for all. For people in the Sutherland Shire who may not have the financial means to pay for private legal assistance, legal aid ensures that everyone has access to representa...

Watercolor vs. Oil vs. Digital: Which Medium Fits Your Pet's Personality?

When it comes to immortalizing your pet’s unique personality in art, choosing the right medium is essential. Each artistic medium, whether watercolor, oil, or digital, has distinct qualities that can bring out the spirit of your furry friend in dif...

The Times Features

NSW has a new fashion sector strategy – but a sustainable industry needs a federally legislated response

The New South Wales government recently announced the launch of the NSW Fashion Sector Strategy, 2025–28[1]. The strategy, developed in partnership with the Australian Fashion ...

From Garden to Gift: Why Roses Make the Perfect Present

Think back to the last time you gave or received flowers. Chances are, roses were part of the bunch, or maybe they were the whole bunch.   Roses tend to leave an impression. Even ...

Do I have insomnia? 5 reasons why you might not

Even a single night of sleep trouble can feel distressing and lonely. You toss and turn, stare at the ceiling, and wonder how you’ll cope tomorrow. No wonder many people star...

Wedding Photography Trends You Need to Know (Before You Regret Your Album)

Your wedding album should be a timeless keepsake, not something you cringe at years later. Trends may come and go, but choosing the right wedding photography approach ensures your ...

Can you say no to your doctor using an AI scribe?

Doctors’ offices were once private. But increasingly, artificial intelligence (AI) scribes (also known as digital scribes) are listening in. These tools can record and trans...

There’s a new vaccine for pneumococcal disease in Australia. Here’s what to know

The Australian government announced last week there’s a new vaccine[1] for pneumococcal disease on the National Immunisation Program for all children. This vaccine replaces pr...