Episodes

  • Policy and Practice in Focus: Reporting in an ECEC context
    May 12 2024
    Please note, this episode covers content regarding disclosures of abuse that may be upsetting for some listeners. Please take care when listening to this episode and seek support if needed. Free confidential support services are listed below. Reporting in an ECEC context can take many forms from noting breaches of a Code of Conduct to far more serious incidents. This episode looks at reporting considerations in early childhood settings, including obligations to the Reportable Conduct Scheme. About this episode: This episode is part of a short series produced by the Office of the Children's Guardian and funded by the NSW Department of Education, the NSW regulatory authority for early education and care as part of their Safety and Quality Practice program. Simon chats to two education professionals and a representative from the OCG’s Reportable Conduct Directorate to discuss setting up a reporting culture within the early education and care sector, information on how and what to report and how organisations can ensure their reporting processes are child friendly. About our speakers: Vanessa Hextall, the National Child Safe Officer from a large outside school hours care service provider with services across Australia. Vanessa has 18 years experience in the early childhood education sector specialising in quality and compliance, and risk. Her experience with reportable conduct is to educate and support the organisations with the process and determine best practice within the service delivery. Stephanie Menear, from the Office of the Children’s Guardian, is a Manager in the Investigations unit within the Reportable Conduct Directorate, with responsibility for its work with the early childhood education and care sector. She has a decade of experience working in child protection, with seven years’ experience providing guidance and support to the early childhood sector on reportable conduct matters. Preeti Khural is the Director of Education at a long day care service in Sydney’s Hills District and has a bachelor of teaching degree. She has 20 years experience in early childhood education. Preeti strongly believes in continuous education and training for educators so that they are well-informed and have the skills and knowledge to keep children safe in early childhood settings. This episode was recorded and edited on Gadigal land. The NSW Department of Education and the NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian recognise that the land we work and live on always was and always will be Aboriginal land, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present. Resources mentioned in this episode: About the Reportable Conduct Scheme Reportable Conduct Factsheet - Identifying Reportable Allegations Reportable Conduct forms Reportable Conduct Factsheet - Planning and Conducting an Investigation OCG (Reportable Conduct) eLearning OCG resources OCG Safe Series Protective Behaviours program events/training Mandatory Reporters Guide - Child Story Reporter If you’re unsure about what needs to be reported or need any support, call the Reportable Conduct enquiries line on (02) 8219 3800 If you are looking for support on how to improve your child safe practices, or to speak to a child safe officer, contact childsafe@ocg.nsw.gov.au Have a concern or a complaint about a child-related organisation? You can contact us via this form - https://ocg.nsw.gov.au/contact-us or call us on (02) 8219 3600 Free confidential support organisations: Lifeline on 13 11 14Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36Headspace on 1800 650 890Mental Health Line on 1800 011 51113 YARN on 13 92 76
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    54 mins
  • Policy and Practice in Focus: Voice and Choice in the NQF - Part B
    Mar 19 2024

    Episode 2: Voice and Choice in the National Quality Framework PART 2

    In this episode, host Katey Street sits down with educators Lisa Warburton and Angie Camilleri, and Child Safe Officer Rachel Norman to get to grips with child-centred practice in the early childhood education and outside school hours care (ECEC) sector following the update of the Approved Learning Frameworks.

    About this podcast:

    This episode is part of a short series produced by the Office of the Children's Guardian and funded by the NSW Department of Education, the NSW regulatory authority for early childhood education and care services in NSW as part of its Safety and Quality Practice program.

    In part 2 of this episode, Katey and the group discuss practices and policies in the ECEC sector which encourage children to be empowered when learning and playing, as well as ways in which they contribute to educators' planning cycles.

    About our speakers:

    Lisa Warburton is an innovative Family Day Care Educator and children's advocate from Sydney. Her career spans more than two decades in early childhood education across the globe while her breadth of experience as a parent and as a former management consultant fuels her passion in providing all children with the strongest possible start in life. Lisa's creative approach to early childhood education is underpinned by integrity, tenacity and a lifelong love of learning. Her latest venture is supporting children and their carers is a parenting book to be released next year.

    Angie Camilleri has worked in the Early Childhood sector for 15 years. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education and a Master's Degree in Education (Primary). Angie currently holds the role of Education Leader in a long daycare service and has done so for 5 years.

    Rachel Norman, from the Office of the Children's Guardian, has a Master's Degree in Disability Policy and Practice. She worked with the ECEC sector for three years and is passionate about educating service providers about the risks of abuse in organisations.

    This episode was recorded and edited on Gadigal land. The NSW Department of Education and the NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian recognise that the land we work and live on always was and always will be Aboriginal land, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present.

    Resource mentioned in this episode:

    OCG Child Safe Self Assessment

    OCG SAFE Series Protective Behaviours program events/training

    OCG SAFE Series Protective Behaviours program resources

    OCG Empowerment and Participation handbook (PDF 9.0 MB)

    eSafety Commissioner's website - resources for parents

    3D Dinosaur viewer from Google: How to

    Early Childhood Australia learning hub

    Bravehearts

    Teeny Tiny Stevies - Boss of my own body song

    Educate2Empower

    If you are looking for support on how to improve your child safe practices, or to speak to a child safe officer, contact childsafe@ocg.nsw.gov.au

    Have a concern or a complaint about a child-related organisation? You can contact us via this form - https://ocg.nsw.gov.au/contact-us or call us on (02) 8219 3600

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    37 mins
  • Policy and Practice in Focus: Voice and Choice in the NQF - Part A
    Mar 19 2024

    Episode 2: Voice and Choice in the National Quality Framework PART 1

    In this episode host Katey Street sits down with Rhonda Livingstone, the National Educational Leader for a chat about the updates to the Approved Learning Frameworks.

    About this podcast:

    This episode is part of a short series produced by the Office of the Children's Guardian and funded by the NSW Department of Education, the NSW regulatory authority for early childhood education and care services in NSW as part of its Safety and Quality Practice program.

    Katey and Rhonda discuss the background of how and why the Frameworks for Early Education and Care; Belonging, Being and Becoming: The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia (EYLF) and My Time, Our Place: The Framework for School Age Care in Australia, were updated. They also explore how children's voices and choices were promoted during the development of the Approved Learning Frameworks to ensure that children are supported to become active participants in their learning.

    About our speaker:

    Rhonda Livingstone is ACECQA's National Educational Leader. She also leads the teams responsible for promoting and recognising quality educational programs, practices and policies. Rhonda and her team support the sector and regulatory officers to build a shared understanding of, and commitment to, implementing and administering the National Quality Framework (NQF) and continuous quality improvement.

    Rhonda's extensive involvement in the National Quality Agenda reforms saw her contribute to the development of the National Quality Standard and its guide, assessment and rating tools and processes, the training and testing program for regulatory officers and the refresh of the nationally Approved Learning Framworks.

    This episode was recorded and edited on Gadigal land. The NSW Department of Education and the NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian recognise that the land we work and live on always was and always will be Aboriginal land, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present.

    Resources mentioned in this episode:

    OCG resource page

    OCG SAFE Series Protective Behaviours program

    OCG Child Safe Self Assessment

    Australian Human Rights Commission

    Be You

    Emerging Minds

    Australian Institute of Famiy Studies

    Alannah and Madeline Foundation

    ACECQA Guide to the National Quality Framework

    eSafety Commissioner's website

    Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child

    ACECQA information sheets

    ACECQA Kahoot! quiz instructions (PDF 281 KB)

    ACECQA Starting Blocks for Families

    ACECQA newsletter

    ACECQA Facebook page

    ACECQA NQF changes overview

    ACECQA Approved Learning Frameworks matching game (PDF 2.6 MB)

    Department of Education - educator resources

    Reconciliation Australia resources

    If you are looking for support on how to improve your child safe practices, or to speak to a child safe officer, contact childsafe@ocg.nsw.gov.au

    Have a concern or a complaint about a child-related organisation? You can contact us via this form - https://ocg.nsw.gov.au/contact-us or call us on (02) 8219 3600

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    43 mins
  • Policy and Practice in Focus: The Child Safe Scheme in an ECEC Context
    Feb 26 2024

    Policy and Practice in Focus: an ECEC child safe podcast miniseries

    Episode 1: The Child Safe Scheme in a ECEC context

    Early Childhood Educators face unique challenges when applying the Child Safe Scheme. In this podcast Simon Luckhurst talks to two early childhood professionals and an Office of the Children’s Guardian compliance officer to answer some common questions.

    About this episode:

    This episode kicks off a short series produced by the Office of the Children's Guardian and funded by the NSW Department of Education, the NSW regulatory authority for early education and care as part of their Safety and Quality Practice program.

    The NSW Child Safe Scheme means child-related organisations (including those involved in Early Childhood Education and Outside School Hours Care) must be able to demonstrate their commitment to child safety by employing the ten Child Safe Standards handed down by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

    If organisations and their staff and volunteers are applying the Child Safe Standards, children are safer from harm and abuse. While many organisations understand what it means to keep children safe – and are also meeting the requirements under their National Quality Framework obligations – the Child Safe Scheme is designed to ensure all aspects of child safety are maintained and improved.

    In this podcast Simon Luckhurst talks to two early childhood professionals and an OCG compliance officer to find out more about the scheme in the Early Childhood Education context.

    About our speakers:

    Meg Mendham, previous CEO of Community Connections Solutions Australia and also a board member, advisor and executive with over thirty years’ experience in the Early Childhood sector, including as an educator.

    Angela Gillespie, a Senior Manager the Blue Mountains-based Connect Children and Families organisation, and winner of the 2023 Early Childhood Australia Barbara Creaser Champion Award.

    Brittany Taylor, a Child Safe Officer in the Compliance Team at the Office of the Children’s Guardian.

    This episode was recorded and edited on Gadigal land. The NSW Department of Education and the NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian recognise that the land we work and live on always was and always will be Aboriginal land, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present.

    Resources mentioned in this episode:

    Office of the Children’s Guardian resources page

    OCG Child Safe Self-Assessment

    OCG Child Safe eLearning

    Coffee Conversations

    If you are looking for support on how to improve your child safe practices, or to speak to a child safe officer, contact childsafe@ocg.nsw.gov.au

    Have a concern or a complaint about a child-related organisation? You can contact us via this form - https://ocg.nsw.gov.au/contact-us or call us on (02) 8219 3600

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    50 mins
  • Episode 2: Compliance with the NSW Child Safe Scheme
    Dec 17 2022

    Episode 2: Compliance with the NSW Child Safe Scheme

    Compliance doesn’t have to be confusing! In this episode, host Simon Luckhurst and guest speakers Louise Coe, Lisa Purves and Sean Brohier break down what compliance to the Child Safe Scheme looks like, as well as what it doesn’t look like.

    About this podcast:

    This episode discusses compliance with the Child Safe Scheme. It also talks about what support is available to organisations to help them build capabilities, knowledge and skills of the Scheme – and includes a preview of the new Child Safe Self-Assessment from the OCG.

    CONTENT WARNING: This episode discusses themes and topics that may be upsetting for some audiences. We encourage you to look after your mental health and seek help if necessary.

    BEYOND BLUE: 1300 22 4636 https://www.beyondblue.org.au/

    LIFELINE: 131 114 https://www.lifeline.org.au/about/our-services/

    NSW MENTAL HEALTH LINE: 1800 011 511 https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/mentalhealth/Pages/mental-health-line.aspx

    KIDS HELPLINE: 1800 551 800 https://kidshelpline.com.au/

    About our speakers: Louise Coe is the Director of Child Safe Organisations at the NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian, and was previously the Director of the Working with Children Check team. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce /Laws (honours) and Executive Masters of Public Administration, and has experience across both government and non-government organisations in a variety of legal and regulatory roles.

    Sean Brohier has held a career in compliance and investigations for over 20 years. He has worked for the Office of State Revenue, NSW Fair Trading, and is currently the manager of the OCG’s Compliance and Investigations teams. He’s passionate about working with the community to help keep children safe.

    Lisa Purves came to the OCG in 2011 and is currently the Manager of the Child Safe Organisations team. While she has a compliance and regulatory background her preference is to create training and resources that make it easy for people to comply with their obligations, recognising that most people want to do the right thing – if they know what to do.

    Support and Resources:

    Child Safe Self-Assessment: cssa.ocg.nsw.gov.au

    Office of the Children’s Guardian resources - https://ocg.nsw.gov.au/our-resources

    If you are looking for support from an OCG Child Safe Officer specific to your sector, or to book a training webinar for your staff contact childsafe@ocg.nsw.gov.au

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    25 mins
  • Episode 1: Beyond the Royal Commission
    Nov 28 2022

    This episode discusses why and how the Royal Commission was set up, the implications of the Commission’s findings across child safe organisations, the challenges that some organisations faced in updating their policy and practice, and where organisations can now find support and other helpful resources to become more child safe.

    CONTENT WARNING: This episode discusses themes and topics that may be upsetting for some audiences. We encourage you to look after your mental health and seek help if necessary.

    BEYOND BLUE: 1300 22 4636 https://www.beyondblue.org.au/

    LIFELINE: 131 114 https://www.lifeline.org.au/about/our-services/

    NSW MENTAL HEALTH LINE: 1800 011 511 https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/mentalhealth/Pages/mental-health-line.aspx

    KIDS HELPLINE: 1800 551 800 https://kidshelpline.com.au/

    We’d like to thank our guest speakers on this episode:

    Justice Peter McClelland was a Judge of Appeal in New South Wales. Prior to this, he was the Chief Judge at Common Law of Supreme Court of New South Wales, a Judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales, Chief Judge of the Land and Environment Court of New South Wales, Chairman of the Sydney Water Inquiry and Assistant Commissioner at the Independent Commission Against Corruption. He was also the head of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses into Child Sexual Abuse.

    Richard Weston is the first Deputy Children’s Guardian for Aboriginal Children and Young People in New South Wales, bringing more than 25 years of experience in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs to the role. The 20 years prior to this role he has held a number of CEO positions in First Nations peak bodies focused on health, healing and children. He is an experienced leader who has worked in very challenging social and political environments and delivered measurable social, health and economic outcomes. He has also been part of a number of advisory groups and committees working on national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander policy matters. Most recently has been appointed to the Federal Governments Referendum Engagement Group to support Constitutional Recognition of a First Nations Voice to Parliament.

    Karen Jones is the Chief Executive of the NSW Office of Sport, leading 400 employees across 18 locations, to set the state sport policy agenda and provide direct service delivery to communities throughout NSW. Karen’s role is to work with government, the sport sector and key partners to create healthier people, connect communities and make a stronger NSW through the power of sport and recreation. Despite significant challenges in recent years, Karen is proud to have continued serving communities and supporting the sport sector. Throughout various adverse weather events, including bushfire, flood and drought, the Office of Sport has operated its sport and recreation centres as evacuation centres to provide displaced community members with accommodation and assist emergency services workers. In addition, the Office of Sport has offered relief programs for youth who were directly impacted during these difficult times and administered grant programs to support the repair and restoration of vital sport infrastructure.

    Support and Resources:

    Find out more about the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses into Sexual Abuse - https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/

    Office of the Children’s Guardian resources - https://ocg.nsw.gov.au/our-resources

    Office of Sport - https://www.sport.nsw.gov.au/

    Play by the Rules resources - https://www.playbytherules.net.au/

    Looking for support from an OCG Child Safe Officer specific to your sector, or book a training webinar for your staff - childsafe@ocg.nsw.gov.au

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    42 mins