Mason’s Law:
Mandatory reporting for early years’ educators, family day care and approved providers Sasha Goodwin > Bond University
In Queensland, a range of professionals who work and interact with children are mandated by law to report child abuse and neglect or child safety concerns. Mandatory reporting means that there are legislative requirements imposed on certain people to report suspected cases of child abuse and neglect. It is important that we care for and meet our obligations to children, therefore in 2013 Queensland’s mandatory reporting laws were investigated and changes were made to improve mandatory reporting obligations as part of the Child Protection Reform Amendment Act 2014; these laws supported an expansion of those required to report suspected cases of child abuse and neglect. Currently in Queensland and under the Child Protection Act 1999, mandatory reporters are: • teachers • doctors • registered nurses • police officers with child protection responsibilities • a person performing a child advocate function under the Public Guardian Act 2014. Teachers include approved teachers under the Education (Queensland College of Teachers) Act 2005, employed at a school. Doctors and nurses include those employed in both the public and private health sectors. In September 2016 Queensland Parliament passed Mason’s Law; the legislation honours Mason Parker, a 16-monthold Townsville toddler who was murdered by a caregiver, days after childcare educators photographed bruises on the little boy’s body. This new legislation that becomes effective in July 2017 means that Queensland’s approved providers, supervisors, nominated supervisors, family daycare coordinators, educators and family day-care educators are mandated to report suspected cases of child abuse and neglect. The legislation does not include volunteers or staff members who do not meet the minimum professional qualification requirements. This legislation is consistent with most other states where childcare educators are mandated to report concerns. In all jurisdictions, including Queensland, the legislation also protects the reporter’s identity from disclosure, additionally if the notification is made in good faith and is not malicious, the reporter cannot be liable in any civil, criminal or administrative proceeding. People should not fear raising concerns. Never more so, has the statement “it
takes a village to raise a child” been so appropriate, raising awareness, education and protection for our children occurs when those working with children can speak up about their concerns and are mandated to do so. We all share a responsibility to protect children and young people from harm - a responsibility that extends to those situations where children may be at risk, suffer abuse and/ or neglect in their own homes. We all need to play our part and there are useful tools that can aid in this process, including the online child protection guide and services like Family and Child Connect. Education and communication are the key to this very important issue.
Want to know more about Mandatory Reporting?
The College for Australian Early Childhood Educators (CAECE) presents the interactive workshop, Everything you need to know about Mandatory Reporting. This workshop aims to support and provide information for mandated reporters by ensuring they are aware of their legal responsibilities to report known or suspected child abuse and neglect in Queensland, how to recognise indicators (red flags) of the different types of abuse and neglect, and how to make a notification. Call CAECE on 07 3299 5784 or send an email to info@caece.com.au. This workshop can be presented exclusively to your educators in your service or email CAECE to express your interest in holding this workshop in your area. What people have said about the workshop “Information in abundance. Nothing left out, good advice given.” - Tara “Presenter was well prepared and willing to give as much information as possible.” - Elizabeth “The information and passion for the industry showed.” - Meg
EARLY EDITION > SUMMER 2016
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