At Excelsia, we are committed to creating safe, respectful, and nurturing environments for every child and young person engaged in our work integrated learning programs.
On Monday 1 December, our School of Education and placement team participated in specialised child safety training delivered by the Office of the Children’s Guardian.
This training strengthens our understanding of child protection standards and best practices, ensuring we not only meet compliance but continually raise the bar for safety and care.
Participants explored key aspects of child safety, including the implementation of the 10 Child Safe Standards to prevent, respond to, and report harm and abuse to children. Across three sessions, participants also learned about developing a child-focused complaints process and gained awareness of the signs of grooming.
The NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian Child Safe Engagement Officer, Skye Taylor said, ‘I was happy to see staff from different teams comparing their knowledge about teaching child safe practices to early childhood education and primary and secondary education students. Staff focused their discussion on how Excelsia can better prepare their students to report any concerns and feel confident in their child safe knowledge.’
Excelsia’s Director of Student Placements, Helen Fittler said, ‘Why does this matter for Early Learning Centres? From 2026, ELCs across Australia will implement mandatory child safety training for all staff, volunteers, and students, with government-supported closures of up to five hours annually to allow completion of this training. These reforms, led by the Australian Centre for Child Protection, reflect a national commitment to safeguarding children. Excelsia is proud to be ahead of the curve; our proactive approach ensures our students enter placements fully prepared to uphold these standards and contribute to safer learning environments for every child.’
The Child Safe Standards provide a framework for creating child safe organisations. They are designed to drive cultural change to create, maintain and improve child safe practices. When organisations apply the Standards they build a culture where abuse of children is prevented, responded to and reported.
The Standards are based on the extensive research and consultation by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. They provide clear guidance for organisations to create cultures, adopt strategies and act to put the interests of children first to keep them safe from harm.
