KTS Training for the Early Childhood Sector

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KTS Training for the Early Childhood Sector
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Training Outline

• Welcome Introductions
• Background to Keep Them Safe (KTS)
• KTS and the Early Childhood (EC) Sector
• New Reporting Threshold Grounds for Reporting
• Overview of Mandatory Reporter Guide (MRG)
• Use of MRG with EC Case Studies
• Information Exchange Interagency Collaboration
• Summary, Questions Close

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Background to Keep Them Safe

• Special Commission of Inquiry into Child
  Protection (Wood)
• 111 recommendations to NSW Government
• Keep Them Safe is the Governments response and
  5-year plan to implement 106 of the
  recommendations
• Statewide Information Session rollout completed
• Proclamation 24 January 2010
• Phase 2 includes contextualised training for
  sectors and Mandatory Reporter Guide Training

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Goals of Keep Them Safe

• All children in NSW are healthy, happy and safe
  and grow up belonging in families and communities
  where they have opportunities to reach their full
  potential
• All agencies such as Health, Education, Police
  and Human Services (Housing, Juvenile Justice,
  Disability Services) should expand their role in
  supporting children
• Fewer children and young people reported to
  Community Services
• More families supported on a local level in a
  coordinated approach by other government agencies
  and NGOs

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KTS and the Early Childhood Sector

• Early Childhood staff have a vital role in the
  child protection system
• Under KTS, All Early Childhood staff must report
  cases of suspected Risk of Significant Harm to
  children to the Community Services Child
  Protection Helpline.
• Mandatory Reporter Guide (MRG) should be used
  before deciding to ring the Child Protection
  Helpline
• If the report on a child does not meet the new
  threshold, there are still many ways that Early
  Childhood staff can make a difference and access
  resources for children and families
• Regardless of whether a report has been made, EC
  staff should continue to monitor and offer
  appropriate services to families

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KTS Links to National Standards

• National Quality Framework for Early Childhood
  Education and Care implemented from 1 July 2010
  and will apply from 1 January 2012.
• Captures aspects critical to the provision of
  quality early childhood education
• The framework uses a National Quality Standard
  the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) which
  will guide EC staff to develop quality early
  childhood programs.
• Guiding Principle The rights of the child are
  paramount
• Obligation of all those who work with children to
  protect children from harm, respect their dignity
  and privacy and safeguard and promote every
  childs wellbeing

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KTS links to National Standards

• Childrens Health and Safety Standard Each
  child is protected (2.3) and action is taken to
  respond to every child at risk of abuse and/or
  neglect
• Requirement that EC staff understand and meet
  their obligations under the relevant state
  legislation
• Standard 6.3 The service collaborates with
  other organisations and service providers to
  enhance childrens learning and wellbeing and
  that links with relevant community and support
  agencies are established and maintained.

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Early Childhood reporting to CS
In 2008/2009 - 309,676 child protection reports
made to CS
Child Protection Helpline took 221,256 contacts
(average 600 per day)
Apr-Jun 2009 71,879 reports made to CS
Children 0-4 years made up 34 of these reports
(24,004) 1/3 of all reports
Source DoCS Annual Report 2008.2009
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Reports made by Reporter type

• From Apr-Jun 2009, schools and child
• care staff made 14 (10,278) of reports
• made to Community Services.
• Child care staff made up 887 (1.2) of
• these reports
• During this time, 87,470 children aged 0-5
• attended funded, licensed childrens
• services in NSW.

Source DoCS Annual Report 2008.2009
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What is being reported by schools and EC?
Physical Abuse 30 Neglect 15 Emotional
Abuse 12.5 Sexual Abuse 10 Domestic
Violence 6.3 Drug/Alcohol use by
Carer 5.8 Carer Mental Health 5.6 Child
Inappropriate Sexual Beh. 5 Suicide Risk
(child) 3.8 Drug/Alcohol Use by
child 2.4 Carer Other Issues 1.4 Runaway
Child 1.3 No Risk of Harm 1.2 Other lt1
67.5 of all reports
32.5 of all reports
Source DoCS Annual Report 2008.2009
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New Reporting Threshold Grounds for Reporting
New reporting threshold to Community Services
RISK OF SIGNIFICANT HARM (ROSH)

2 new grounds for reporting to Community Services
Section 23 of Act
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New Reporting Threshold
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What is Risk of Significant Harm?

• Sufficiently serious to warrant a response by a
  statutory authority irrespective of a familys
  consent
• Not minor or trivial
• May be reasonably expected to produce a
  substantial and demonstrably adverse impact on
  the child or young persons safety, welfare or
  wellbeing
• Can result from a single act or omission or an
  accumulation of these
• In the case of an unborn child, what is
  significant is not minor or trivial and may
  reasonably be expected to produce a substantial
  and demonstrably adverse impact on the child
  after the childs birth

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Why the need to increase the threshold?

• NSW lowest thresholds for reporting children
  at risk
• Contributed to an overwhelmed statutory system
  (Wood)
• Reduce demand on the system
• Ensure children at ROSH receive a timely and
  appropriate response from CS
• Help non-ROSH cases receive support and services

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New Grounds for Reporting

• Section 23 of the Act outlines the grounds for
  reporting to Community Services.
• Includes
• Physical Abuse,
• Sexual Abuse,
• Psychological Harm,
• Neglect,
• Exposure to Domestic Violence,
• Parental Substance Abuse and
• Parental Mental Health Concerns.
• In addition, now the act contains an additional 2
  grounds for reporting

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New Grounds for Reporting

• Parent or Carer has not arranged (and are unable
  or unwilling to arrange) for their child to
  receive an education
• AND
• A series of acts or omissions when viewed
  together may establish a pattern of significant
  harm

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• CASE STUDIES
• ROSH or not?
• TAFE NSW have applied the MRG to the following
  case studies to determine the results

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Case Study - Ava

• Ava is a 3 year old child who started pre-school
  this year and attends 2 days per week.
• A few times in the last week, you have found Ava
  playing with other children at the centre and
  pointing to their genitals and asking them to
  pull their pants down.
• On one of these occasions, you heard her telling
  another child, Its a secret.
• When discovered, Ava often becomes aggressive
  and pushes you or the other child away.
• You speak with your director about your concerns
  and the director contacts Avas parents who are
  shocked at the information.
• The director implements a strict supervision
  plan for Ava whilst she is at the centre and has
  also spoken to the parents about the same plan at
  home as Ava has an 18 month old sibling.
• Is this Risk of Significant Harm?

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Is this ROSH or not?

• YES...
• Why?
• It is sufficiently serious to warrant a response
  by a statutory authority irrespective of the
  familys consent
• It is not minor or trivial
• It may be reasonably expected to produce a
  substantial and demonstrably adverse impact on
  the child or young persons safety welfare or
  wellbeing.

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Case Study - Luca

• Luca is a 12 month old boy who attends your
  centre 3 days per week.
• One day this week, he presented with severe nappy
  rash, redness around his penis and anus and down
  his thighs, with some parts forming small
  blisters, and complained when he was being
  cleaned during a nappy change.
• You speak with your director and then speak with
  the mother when she picks Luca up that day. The
  mother became very upset and told you that Luca
  did not have any nappy rash that morning and that
  she is concerned about the level of care Luca is
  receiving at the centre. The mother indicates
  that she will be making a report about the centre
  to Community Services.
• When the Child Protection Helpline Caseworker
  speaks with the mother, she asks her whether the
  mother had noticed any redness or irritation
  around the childs genitals the night before.
• The mother indicated that Luca was crying during
  the night and that he did have some redness on
  his legs and penis but that she was so tired she
  just changed his nappy and put him back to bed.
• During the conversation, the mother informs the
  Caseworker that this is her first child, and that
  she is struggling with his care as the father is
  not supportive and works long hours.
• Is this Risk of Significant Harm?

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Is this ROSH or not?

• NO...
• Why?
• It is NOT sufficiently serious to warrant a
  response by a statutory authority irrespective of
  the familys consent
• It CANNOT be reasonably expected to produce a
  substantial and demonstrably adverse impact on
  the child or young persons safety welfare or
  wellbeing.

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Case Study - Ruby

• Ruby is a 3 ½ year old girl who attends your
  centre 3 days per week. The other 2 days she is
  with her maternal grandmother.
• Yesterday, Ruby attended the centre and told her
  teacher that he heard her parents fighting and
  yelling loudly and that it hurt her ears. She
  continued to say that, Daddy doesnt have any
  more dollars, and mummy is angry.
• You speak with your director and note that Ruby
  is always well presented, clean and is a happy
  child who engages well with her peers and
  teachers alike.
• Her mother or father always pick her up on time,
  and if they are unable to, the maternal
  grandmother will pick her up.
• She has been attending your centre for 1 year and
  you have had no other concerns about her during
  this time whatsoever.
• Is this Risk of Significant Harm?

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Is this ROSH or not?

• NO...
• Why?
• It is NOT sufficiently serious to warrant a
  response by a statutory authority irrespective of
  the familys consent
• It CANNOT be reasonably expected to produce a
  substantial and demonstrably adverse impact on
  the child or young persons safety welfare or
  wellbeing.

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Case Study - Jake

• Jake is an 18 month old boy who attends your
  centre 2 days per week.
• He has been attending for 2 months and in the
  last week you have noticed a significant change
  in his presentation.
• He has had head lice for the last 2 days and it
  doesnt seem to have been treated as it is
  getting worse and he is constantly scratching his
  head. His clothes are smelly and you noticed
  that paint from yesterday has not been wiped off
  his hands or face and his sheets have mould on
  them and smell damp.
• You know that Jake attended a nearby centre 6
  months ago and his mother told you that she moved
  him because she thought the staff were too nosey
  and asked too many questions.
• In the last week, during drop off time, you
  notice the mother is also unkempt and is
  unwilling to make eye contact with you, just
  dropping Jake off and leaving in a hurry.
• Is this Risk of Significant Harm?

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Is this ROSH or not?

• NO...
• Why?
• It is NOT sufficiently serious to warrant a
  response by a statutory authority irrespective of
  the familys consent
• It CANNOT be reasonably expected to produce a
  substantial and demonstrably adverse impact on
  the child or young persons safety welfare or
  wellbeing.

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Overview of Mandatory Reporter Guide (MRG)

• Developed to assist mandatory reporters to
  determine whether their concerns about a child or
  young person constitutes Risk of Significant Harm
  under the new legislative threshold.
• It is an online, interactive guide and is also
  available in hard copy format.
• Not a replacement for professional judgment but
  supports decision making

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Where do I get the MRG?

• The MRG is available on line either on the Keep
  Them Safe website, www.keepthemsafe.nsw.gov.au or
  on the Community Services website,
  www.community.nsw.gov.au. These links and others
  are contained in your participant guide.
• You do not need a username or log in to access
  the site.
• If going through the Keep Them Safe website, you
  will see the front page like this....

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Online MRG Tool at www.keepthemsafe.nsw.gov.au
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Mandatory Reporter Guide
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Step 1 Decide which Decision Tree meets your
concern
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MRG Decision Trees

• Listed on the left hand side of the online MRG
  tool and include
• Physical Abuse
• Neglect (includes Neglect types such as
  Supervision, Shelter/
• Environment, Food Medical Care Mental Health
  Care Education
• Sexual Abuse (includes Sexual abuse of child,
  sexual abuse of young
• person, and Child/Young Person problematic
  sexual behaviour)
• Psychological Harm
• Relinquishing Care
• Carer Concerns (includes Carer Substance Abuse,
  Carer Mental
• Health, Carer Domestic Violence)
• Unborn Child

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Physical Abuse Decision Tree

• USE THIS WHEN
• You know of an injury to a child/young person
  that you suspect is caused by abuse
• You know of treatment of a child/young person
  that may have caused or is likely to cause an
  injury
• Child/Young Person was injured, or nearly
  injured, during a domestic violence incident

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Neglect Decision Tree

• USE THIS WHEN
• You suspect that a parent/carer is not adequately
  meeting child/young person needs
• A child/young person appears neglected
• Then select the appropriate neglect sub-type
  (e.g. supervision, shelter/environment, food etc)

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Sexual Abuse Decision Tree

• USE THIS WHEN
• You learn about sexual contact or sexual abuse of
  a child/young person
• A child/young person has medical findings
  suspicious for sexual abuse
• A child/young persons behaviour, including
  sexually abusive behaviour, is concerning

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Psychological Harm Decision Tree

• USE THIS WHEN
• A child/young person appears to be experiencing
  psychological/emotional distress that is a result
  of parent/carer behaviour such as domestic
  violence
• You are aware of parent/carer behaviour,
  including domestic violence, that are likely to
  result in significant psychological harm to the
  child/young person

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Relinquishing Care

• USE THIS WHEN
• Parent/carer states he/she will not continue or
  cannot continue to provide care for a child under
  the age of 16
• OR a young person over the age of 16 when the YP
  is currently unable to make an informed decision
  (either temporarily or permanently).
• If the YP is able to make informed decisions,
  refer to the Physical Shelter tree.
• OR when child/young person is in voluntary care
  for longer than legislation allows

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Carer Concern

• USE THIS WHEN
• You have information that the child/young person
  is significantly affected by carer concerns (e.g.
  mental health, substance abuse or domestic
  violence)
• NOTE If child/young person has already
  experienced abuse or neglect, use the relevant
  abuse/neglect tree first.
• If a report to Community Services is not
  indicated using those decision trees, you may
  consider a Carer Concern decision tree.

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Unborn Child Decision Tree

• USE THIS WHEN
• You are concerned for the welfare of an unborn
  child upon his/her birth
• NOTE reports relating to an unborn child are
  not mandatory.
• HOWEVER - Those with mandatory reporting
  responsibility should consider the benefits for
  the mother and unborn child of making a report to
  enable support services to be put into place or
  to prepare for statutory intervention if
  required.

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Step 2 Answer the Questions using the
Definitions carefully
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Step 2 Answer the Questions using the
Definitions carefully
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Tips to using the definitions

• Consider what you already know
• Read the Definition
• Remember to consider the AND and OR parts of
  the definition.
• AND definitions require you to agree with more
  than one part of the definition, OR definitions
  require you to agree with one or the other parts
  of the definition.
• Read right to the end of the definition (to the
  full stop) before deciding if its a YES or
  NO
• Focus only on one question at a time

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Step 3 Continue to answer questions until you
reach a final decision
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Final Decision Types

• IF your concern meets the ROSH threshold the
  Final Decision will either be
• Immediate Report to Community Services
• OR
• Report to Community Services
• Depending on the urgency of the concerns.

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Final Decision Types

• IF your concern does not meet the ROSH threshold
  the Final Decision will be
• Consult with a Professional.
• What can you do if this is the Final Decision?
• Contact your supervisor for advice,
• Contact the KTS Support Line for Non-Government
  organisations
• If you cannot contact your supervisor or it is
  outside of the Keep Them Safe
• Support Line hours of operation, you can
  contact the Child Protection Helpline
• on 13DOCS (133627).

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Using the MRG with Case Studies

• Focus on 2 Case Studies to put
• through the MRG Caleb Alice
• Large Group Exercise

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Case Study - Caleb

• Caleb is a 5 year old boy who attends your
  pre-school 4 days per week (Mon-Thu)
• Today (Monday) you notice a bruise on the childs
  forehead, approximately the size of a 50 cent
  piece. Caleb did not have this bruise when he
  was at the centre last week.
• You mention the bruise to Caleb and he says,
  Daddy was very angry today because I wasnt
  getting ready for kindy. You got a cold cloth
  to place on Calebs forehead and whilst doing
  this, he said, Daddy pushed me on the wall, I
  hit my head. I cried and told Mummy and she
  said, Thats what happens when you dont get
  ready for kindy.
• Whilst telling you this, Caleb was upset and
  crying.
• You decide to consult with your Room Coordinator
  who suggests you all meet with the director to
  discuss the situation.
• Is this Risk of Significant Harm?

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Physical Abuse Decision Tree
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Are you aware or reasonably suspicious of a
current injury?
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Does child or another person (including reporter)
say injury was caused by parent/carer AND it was
not accidental?
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Does child or another person (including reporter)
say injury was caused by parent/carer AND it was
not accidental?
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Is the injury significant?
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Is the injury significant?
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Existence of other concerns
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List your concerns
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Final Decision Immediate Report to Community
Services
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Case Study - Alice

• Alice is a 4 ½ year old girl who attends your
  centre 5 days a week. She has two older
  siblings, Rosalie who is 10, and Emmett who is
  14 years old.
• You are aware that Alice is left with her older
  siblings every morning as the parents leave for
  work at 600am.
• Emmett drops Alice off to pre-school every day
  on his way to school. You are concerned that he
  is only 14 and has too much responsibility in the
  morning, getting both Rosalie and Alice ready for
  school and pre-school and dropping them off to
  their respective schools.
• You have spoken with your Director in the past
  about this, and the director has contacted the
  parents with her concerns on a number of
  occasions.
• On the last occasion (4 weeks ago) the mother
  advised that the situation will be coming to an
  end soon as she will be working night shifts and
  will be available to care for the children in the
  morning and drop them at school and pre-school.
• This is still going on 4 weeks later, and you
  are getting more concerned about Emmetts ability
  to continue to care for his siblings every day.
  You speak with your director again.
• Is this Risk of Significant Harm?

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Neglect Decision Tree
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Final Decision Consult with a Professional
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Information Exchange Interagency Collaboration

• New laws applying to the sharing/exchange of
  information about children and young people
  commenced on 30 October 2009
• Chapter 16A of the Act clearly prioritises the
  safety, welfare and wellbeing of a child or young
  person over an individuals right to privacy
• Wood agencies should take on a greater role and
  responsibility in supporting children and
  families and that Non Government agencies are
  equal partners with Government in the deliver of
  services to children, young people, families and
  communities
• Exchange of information between agencies is
  crucial to ensuring responsibility for child
  protection is shared amongst both Govt. and
  Non-Govt. agencies

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What is the new legislation around Information
Exchange?

• Chapter 16A of the Children and Young Persons
  (Care Protection) Act 1998
• Allows government and non government
  organisations who are prescribed bodies to
  exchange information that relates to a child or
  young persons safety, welfare or wellbeing
  whether or not the child or young person is known
  to CS and whether or not the child or young
  person consents to the information exchange.
• Chapter 16A requires Prescribed Bodies to take
  reasonable steps to co-ordinate decision making
  and the delivery of services regarding children
  and young people.

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Who are Prescribed Bodies?

• Early Childhood staff are considered a
  Prescribed Body under this legislation.
• Other prescribed bodies are
• NSW Police,
• NSW Government Departments,
• Schools,
• Health,
• Any other organisation that has direct
  supervision of the provision of health care,
  welfare, education, childrens services,
  residential services or law enforcement to
  children.

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When can agencies or NGOs request information
from others?

• Information must relate to the safety, welfare or
  wellbeing of a child or young person.
• The information may assist the agency to
• Make decisions or undertake an assessment or
  plan
• Initiate or conduct and investigation
• Provide a service
• Manage any risk to the child or young person.

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What kind of information can be exchanged?

• Information on
• A child or young persons circumstances or
  history
• A parent or family member
• People having a significant or relevant
  relationship with a child or young person or
• The other agencies dealings with the child or
  young person, including past support or service
  arrangements

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What does all this mean for you as Early
Childhood staff?

• You can exchange information about children with
  other Prescribed Bodies
• Without Community Services involvement
• Without the consent of child/young person or
  family
• Remember best practice considerations.

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Group Discussion

• Under what circumstances could you see yourself
  in your workplace needing to exchange information
  or request information about a child or young
  person?
• Keep in mind best practice considerations

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Importance of Interagency Collaboration

• New legislation helps flow of information
• Identify cumulative harm
• Work together

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Group Activity

• Collaborating with, and sharing information
  about the safety,
• welfare and wellbeing of children with other
  agencies..........
• What are the benefits?
• 2. What are the challenges?
• 3. What are some strategies that you may put into
  place in your centre to overcome some of these
  challenges?
• 10 minutes then back to the large group for
  discussion

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Information Exchange Checklist for EC staff -
Requesting Information

• Consider the information you have and what
  additional information you may need
• Consult with your supervisor
• Ensure that the request for information complies
  with best practice
• Document the process and consultation with your
  supervisor and your rationale
• Seek the information
• Consider all of the information and re-visit the
  MRG if needed
• Document your progress
• Take action as required

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Information Exchange Checklist for EC staff -
Responding to a Request for Information

• Consider the information requested and what
  additional information you may have
• Consult with your supervisor
• Ensure that the request for information complies
  with best practice
• Document the process and consultation with your
  supervisor and your rationale
• Provide the information if appropriate
• Document your progress
• Take action as required

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Summary

• Background to Keep Them Safe (Keep Them Safe
• KTS and the Early Childhood (EC) Sector
• New Reporting Threshold Grounds for Reporting
• Overview of Mandatory Reporter Guide (MRG)
• Use of MRG with EC Case Studies
• Information Exchange Interagency Collaboration

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Contacts Resources

• Your Centre Director/Authorised Supervisor
• Your local Childrens Services Advisor (CSA)
• Keep Them Safe Support Line at the Child
  Protection Helpline
• Phone [phone] (8am-5pm Mon-Fri)
• Early Childhood Peak Bodies (Give Examples)
• Keep Them Safe website www.keepthemsafe.nsw.gov.a
  u
• Community Services website www.community.nsw.gov.
  au
• HSNet website www.hsnet.nsw.gov.au

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QUESTIONS?