Understanding grooming: guidance for child-related organisations

This article discusses grooming and child abuse prevention. Readers are encouraged to read with discretion. Support resources are provided at the end of the article.

Child-related organisations across Australia play a critical role in protecting children from abuse. New guidance from the New South Wales Office of the Children’s Guardian (OCG) highlights the importance of understanding grooming behaviours and ensuring systems are in place to identify and respond to potential risks.

For early childhood education and care (ECEC) services, where educators build close relationships with children and families, awareness of grooming behaviours is an essential part of maintaining safe environments.

Grooming refers to behaviours used to manipulate and control a child, and sometimes the child’s family or organisation, to gain access to the child and prevent abuse from being detected. These behaviours are often subtle and may appear harmless at first, which can make them difficult to identify. 

Perpetrators may seek to build trust with a child, their family or colleagues, sometimes favouring certain children or creating situations where they can isolate a child from others.

Because grooming behaviours often develop gradually, organisations must focus on recognising patterns rather than relying on a single obvious sign.

Organisations that work with children have a responsibility to identify and manage risks that could lead to harm or abuse. Preventing abuse requires strong systems, clear policies and an informed workforce capable of recognising concerning behaviour early. 

The OCG emphasises that creating child safe organisations involves building cultures where concerns are recognised, reported and addressed appropriately.

This approach aligns with the broader Child Safe Scheme in NSW, which encourages organisations to develop policies, processes and practices that prevent and respond to child abuse. 

Grooming can take many forms and may involve both children and adults in the child’s support network. Examples can include:

• giving special attention, gifts or privileges to certain children
• creating opportunities for one-on-one contact outside usual program activities
• attempting to form unusually close relationships with children or families
• breaking organisational rules or boundaries with children
• discouraging children from sharing information with others.

These behaviours may be used to gradually build trust and reduce the likelihood that abuse will be questioned or reported.

Clear codes of conduct are a critical safeguard in child-related organisations. They establish boundaries around acceptable behaviour and help staff recognise when conduct may place children at risk.

Effective policies should:

• clearly define appropriate and inappropriate behaviour
• outline expectations for professional boundaries
• provide guidance on reporting concerns
• be regularly reviewed and communicated to staff and volunteers.

Policies alone, however, are not sufficient. They must be embedded into everyday practice and supported through training and leadership.

The OCG emphasises that preventing abuse requires more than individual vigilance. It relies on organisational cultures where child safety is prioritised and concerns can be raised without hesitation.

Practical strategies include:

• providing regular training on child safety and grooming behaviours
• ensuring staff understand reporting pathways
• encouraging open discussions about professional boundaries
• responding promptly and transparently to concerns.

Leadership also plays a key role in reinforcing safe practices and modelling appropriate behaviour.

Where behaviours raise concerns about potential harm to a child, organisations must follow established reporting procedures. In NSW, certain conduct may fall under the Reportable Conduct Scheme, which requires organisations to notify the OCG when allegations involving employees arise. 

In cases where a child may be at risk of significant harm, reports should be made to the NSW Child Protection Helpline.

For ECEC providers, the guidance reinforces the importance of strong safeguarding systems within early learning environments.

Educators and leaders are often well placed to notice changes in behaviour, unusual interactions or breaches of professional boundaries. Ongoing training and clear reporting processes can ensure concerns are identified and addressed quickly.

By embedding child safe practices, organisations can strengthen their ability to prevent harm and ensure children remain protected within learning and care environments.

The full resource is available via the NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian website.

Support and resources

Readers seeking further information or support can access the following resources:

• NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian – guidance on grooming and child safe organisations
• NSW Child Protection Helpline – 13 21 11
• 1800RESPECT – 1800 737 732 (national sexual assault, domestic and family violence support service)
• Lifeline – 13 11 14 (24-hour crisis support)