Child Safety Review and digital technology practice

The Review of the Child Safety Arrangements under the NQF commenced in May 2023 to identify new or refined systemic safeguards needed to support approved providers of education and care services to protect children, with a focus on reducing harm, abuse and neglect. The final report was published by ACECQA in December 2023.

The Australian Government, and state and territory governments, are considering the outcomes of the final report, which provides 16 recommendations. This includes consideration of possible regulatory changes to:

• mandate that only service-issued/approved devices may be used in centre-based services when taking images or videos of children, with further requirements for Approved Providers to have strict controls in place for the appropriate storage and retention of images (Recommendation 2.3)
• mandate that anyone working or engaged in a centre-based service in any capacity is prohibited from having personal electronic devices that can take images or video, such as tablets and phones, on their person whilst with children (Recommendation 2.4).

At ESB we are aware that most educators use digital technology in some form to document and share children’s learning and development, and to communicate with families and other stakeholders.

While governments are considering the final report recommendations, we encourage approved providers to reflect on and discuss questions such as:

• What are the regulatory and quality requirements for documentation?
• What is the intent and purpose of your service’s policy about documentation? Does it assist in supporting children’s learning and development? 
• How will capturing the image or video benefit and improve educational outcomes for children in that moment?

We recommend that providers review their policies and procedures that ensure a child-safe environment in the context of the review recommendations, and within your service community and context now, to ensure they are fit for purpose.

During regulatory activities, the ESB will be focusing on services’ approach to technology use within current NQF requirements and will be encouraging voluntary compliance with recommendations 2.3 and 2.4. If we identify any risks to children’s health, safety and wellbeing as a result of electronic device usage, we will consider the need for regulatory response, and take the most appropriate and proportionate action to minimise risk.