ACECQA publishes Occasional Paper 9 – Serious Incidents (injury, trauma, illness)

The Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) has published its ninth Occasional Paper, which covers serious incidents – injury, trauma or illness. 

The paper highlights the trends in notifications of serious incidents resulting in injury, trauma or illness in children’s education and care services during a two-year period. 

It identifies the volume, characteristics and causes of these incidents, including the times and locations they are more likely to happen. It also offers practical strategies to support providers and educators to prevent and reduce such incidents.

“Quality Area 2 of the National Quality Standard upholds children’s right to be protected and kept safe,” said ACECQA CEO Gabrielle Sinclair. 

“Approved providers, nominated supervisors, coordinators and educators all have responsibility for supporting the health, safety and wellbeing of all children.” 

“I encourage all approved providers and services to review and consider the findings in our latest occasional paper as part of ongoing quality improvement.”

Providers and educators can also refer to ACECQA’s recently published information sheet on managing and responding to injury, trauma, and illness incidents.

All nine occasional papers are available on the ACECQA website, here.