Goodstart launches Safeguarding Child Framework in honour of Child Protection Week

Australia’s largest early childhood education and care (ECEC) provider, Goodstart Early Learning launched a Safeguarding Child Framework last week in honour of National Child Protection Week, reaffirming the provider’s commitment to prevent, identify and respond to child abuse, neglect and harm.

The Framework is underpinned by the 10 National Principles for Child Safe Organisations, and is grounded in Goodstart’s belief that ensuring children feel safe and secure is the first and most important obligation of the provider.

“Our approach to safeguarding children is grounded in who we are as an organisation – for children to have the best possible start in life,” said Sara Evans, Goodstart’s National Lead for Safeguarding Children and Chair of Queensland’s Child Protection Week Committee.

“Importantly, our commitment must be more than words. To safeguard children and be a child safe organisation we have to prevent, identify and respond to child abuse neglect and harm and it starts with an understanding that child protection is everyone’s business,” she added.

A core component of the Framework is about instilling a shared understanding of everyone’s role and responsibilities across every Goodstart community.

“We’ve used simple language to bring shared understanding of what child safeguarding is and ensure that all children are empowered to feel safe and be safe at Goodstart, in their families and in their community,” Ms Evans explained.

“We’ll be continuing to advocate our “look, do and tell” model which plays a key role in ongoing education not just for Goodstarters – but children, families and the wider community.”

Although the Framework has been informed by the Child Safe Standards and the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations, many Goodstarters were part of its development.

“Over the past 18 months, we have involved the voices, experiences and aspirations of hundreds of Goodstarters and incorporated the perspectives of children and families through working with our network of 70 Child Protection Advocates across the nation,” she added.

For more information about Goodstart Early Learning, please see here.