In Focus

Regulatory Spotlight

Changes to Teacher registration legislation from 19 December 2023

Changes to teacher registration in Western Australia are planned to come into effect with the commencement of the Teacher Registration Amendment Act 2023, on 19 December 2023.

To support the implementation of the changes, detailed information, an information sheet and a brief video are all available through a dedicated landing page Act Changes.

More information

• Teacher Registration Amendment Bill 2022
• Information Sheet
• Video on changes to teacher registration in Western Australia
• If you have any questions, please email review@trb.education.wa.edu.au

Mandatory Reporting of Child Sexual Abuse in WA

With the staged implementation of mandatory reporting for Early Childhood Workers edging closer, now is the perfect opportunity to review the requirements, your policies and procedures and consider any staff training.

In Western Australia, it is mandatory for certain professionals to report a belief of child sexual abuse. Currently teachers are considered mandatory reporters and as part of the staged implementation to expand the scope of mandatory reporters, Early Childhood Workers will become mandatory reporters from 1 November 2024.

Mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse in Western Australia is governed by the Children and Community Services Act 2004 (the Act).

Anyone who is concerned that a child is suffering any form of abuse or neglect should report their concerns to the Department of Communities through the Central Intake Team on 1800 273 889, even if they are not a mandatory reporter under the Act.

Further information, including the Mandatory Reporting Guide, information sheets and FAQs, is provided on the Mandatory Reporting of Child Sexual Abuse Resources page.

Quality in Focus  

Child Protection – Free Training

Child Protection Week served as a powerful reminder of our collective responsibility to protect and nurture children in our care. To support the professional learning and development of those working in the sector, Child Australia is offering a FREE on-demand webcast focused on child protection. This webcast is available to all professionals and organisations in the sector and is designed to serve as a helpful reminder of our critical role in safeguarding children.

By promoting a culture of continuous learning and collaboration, we can work together to raise the standards of child protection throughout Western Australia.

Our commitment to safeguarding children is not just in words but is deeply embedded in every action we take. As we observe Child Protection Week and beyond, let us unite as advocates for the safety and wellbeing of our children. Together, we can build a brighter future for the little ones who rely on us.

2023 ECRU Roadshow is underway

Dorothy Bagshaw (Aunty Dot) - Welcome to Country

The first of our 11 roadshows kicked off last week in Subiaco. Over 350 participants attended across the three sessions.

Book ECRU Roadshow sessions - Eventbrite

It’s not too late to register for the upcoming sessions.  Any enquiries can be directed to ecruevents@communities.wa.gov.au

Virtual group Next Assessment Support & Advice (NASA) discussions

This month the Education and Care Regulatory Unit (ECRU) will be hosting their second round of virtual group NASA discussions. These sessions provide a great opportunity for educators and staff from participating services to engage with their early childhood education and care (ECEC) colleagues and ECRU staff about the assessment and rating process and share their experiences and questions. Over 180 participants are currently registered.

Don’t forget, from 2024 ECRU will host quarterly NASA discussions on an opt in basis via Eventbrite registration. Dates will be published via In Focus and it will be up to individual services to determine if and when they would like to participate. Services will no longer be invited based on assessment and rating scheduling. In addition, a pre-recorded session will be made available on ECRU’s webpage in 2024.

The change to group discussions aligns with WA’s 2024 implementation of refinements to the Assessment and Rating process which includes reduced notice periods and the use of partial assessments.  

Latest  News 

Trauma informed practice: A Guide for Early Childhood Professionals

Gowrie Victoria, in partnership with the Alannah & Madeline Foundation, have released a Trauma informed practice guide aimed at early childhood professionals. The practice guide has been created to develop educators’ understanding on the effects of trauma, and how best to support children and families who experience it.

Podcast – Engaging children: exploring children’s strengths and interests

Emerging Minds have a new podcast in their Engaging Children series. This episode focuses on exploring and learning about children’s strengths and interests. Making conscious and thoughtful efforts to get to know children, builds strong foundations for developing programs based on supporting children’s skills and abilities.

The podcast encourages you to have conversations with children and learn about their perspectives. The purpose of this is to positively engage with children and understand how you can best support them to succeed. Valuing and respecting children’s strengths and interests is reflective of a child-centred approach and supports each child to thrive.

Listen to the podcast, and others in the Engaging Children series, on the Emerging Minds website.

Wellbeing champions

Dr Donna Cross and Dr Leanne Lester have collaborated to create a framework for educator wellbeing.

The wellbeing framework has been broken down into 4 elements:

1. Quality induction and sufficient professional learning
2. Clearly defined roles
3. Role status equivalence
4. A proactive focus on wellbeing.

The purpose of this framework is to develop “wellbeing champions”, where developing a sense of wellbeing is seen as the responsibility of everyone. Wellbeing is closely linked to both quality and improvement and supports a positive and healthy mindset.

To learn more about the wellbeing framework view this article from the Teacher Magazine.

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