Putting children first: Child safe organisations

All children have the right to be safe, heard and protected from harm. Creating environments where children feel valued, respected and secure is a shared responsibility—and a fundamental requirement for all early childhood education and care (ECEC) services. This course introduces ECEC professionals to the essential concept of child safe organisations. Drawing on the findings of major national inquiries, including the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, it explores why all organisations working with children must actively commit to safeguarding children’s rights and wellbeing.

Participants will be guided through the 10 National Principles for Child Safe Organisations, learning how they align with children’s human rights and how to implement them in day-to-day practice. The course offers practical tools, case studies, and reflective questions to help individuals and teams take meaningful action—reducing risks, identifying and responding to harm, and fostering a culture where children’s voices are heard and respected.

Learning outcomes:

In this course, you will:

• identify what a child safe organisation is and explain its importance within the early childhood education and care context
• explore the 10 National Principles for Child Safe Organisations and how they align with children’s rights and safety
• identify ways to apply child safe practices and principles to daily operations, policies and team culture to reduce the risk of harm and respond appropriately to concern.

This course is recommended for:

• approved providers
• nominated supervisors
• educators and early childhood teachers
• family day care educators and coordinators
• education and care staff members
• volunteers and students working with children.

It is suitable for all roles in education and care settings and should be completed annually to maintain up-to-date knowledge and support a consistent, child-safe culture across the service.

Duration: 1 hour