Child Protection for Teachers

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for teaching staff and education leaders who want to improve their professional practice. It may also be of interest to student support staff, including teacher aides, school counsellors, chaplains, etc.

For Australian school educators, this course aligns with the following Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST):

Create and maintain supportive and safe learning environments

4.4 Maintain student safety

Engage in professional learning

6.2 Improve practice

Engage professionally with colleagues

7.1 Meet professional ethics and responsibilities

7.2 Comply with legislative requirements

7.4 Engage with broader networks

For Australian educators in before-school settings, this course aligns with the following National Quality Standard:

Quality Area 2 – Children’s health and safety

Element 2.2.3 Child protection: Management, educators and staff are aware of their roles and responsibilities to identify and respond to every child at risk of abuse or neglect.

Warning: Child abuse is a sensitive issue and you may feel a range of emotions when you engage with this material. Please take care of yourself and each other as you work through this course.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to…

Identify the warning signs and indicators of child abuse and neglect subtypes

Describe the key elements of child protection legislation and policy relevant to your school context

Assess where child abuse and neglect prevention fits within school curriculum, and become familiar with the most effective pedagogies for implementing prevention initiatives

Reflect on your role as a mandatory reporter and staff member in a child-safe organisation