child protection

Hamilton Community Pre-School has a responsibility to both the children placed in its care and the families of those children to ensure that we provide the best care possible so that they are protected from the chance of child abuse.

Under the relevant legislation, including Child Protection (Offender Registration) Act 2000, the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012, the Children’s Guardian Act 2019 & Commission for Children and Young People Act 1998, children services are required to ensure allegations of child abuse concerning children in their care are appropriately addressed. Under the Child Protection (Prohibited Employment) Act 1998, and the Commission for Children and Young People Act 1998, numerous procedures are in place to identify and exclude, if necessary, all inappropriate persons from having contact with the children in care or from being employed in child care services.

These procedures apply to Hamilton Community Pre-School and were developed to provide a framework for the protection of the child and to clarify procedures for staff that may be required to report on allegations and child abuse. This means that all Educators at Hamilton Community Preschool, by law, are Mandatory Reporters and will report any child that is at risk of significant harm.

Hamilton Community Pre-School implements the Child Safe Standards, that was recommended by the Royal Commission into institutional responses to child sexual abuse. The Standards provide tangible guidance for educators to create a child-safe culture and adopt strategies to keep the children safe from harm. We are recognised as a child-safe organisation.

The Pre-School has also implemented a Child Safe Code of Conduct for educators, parents, visitors, students and children. A Code of Conduct outlines the minimum expected behaviours between workers, children and families in the Pre-School as part of our commitment to creating a child safe environment.

Pre-School's Child Safe Documents

Local Services

Hunter Sexual Assault services - Ph: (02) 49 213888
Newcastle Domestic Violence Resource Centre - Ph: (02) 49278529
Victim Support Unit -Newcastle - Ph: (02) 49 262711
Newcastle and Hunter Counselling & Psychological Service - Ph: (02) 49 621996

Family Resources

Sexual Behaviour in Children - Common and uncommon behaviour in children
Responding to Disclosure - What to do when a child tells you they have been abused
Keeping Children safe online - Children and the internet.

Children's Resources

Morkys Safety Mission board game - Conversations about child safety can often be challenging and confronting and with Morky’s Safety Mission we hope to provide a unique way for parents or caregivers to keep talking about safety with young people.
Safety School Feelings - Sing along and learn about different feelings. Video length 4.20min.