Important update
The PROTECT guidance for ECEC services has been updated to revise the 4 Critical Actions: Identify, Report, Support and Refer.
Please refer to the updated webpages and resources for the most up-to-date guidance on how to report abuse depending on the source – within the service, within the family, and within the community.
There will be further updates made to EC PROTECT webpages to align to this revised guidance.
PROTECT provides child safety guidance for teachers, educators and staff working in early childhood services.
Identify and respond to child abuse
If you or others are concerned a child has been, or is at risk of being abused, you must act.
Identify the source of harm first. Then respond, following the steps that fit your situation.
Identify signs of child abuse in early childhood
Recognise the signs of child abuse, understand definitions, and know the physical and behavioural indicators.
Four Critical Actions to respond to child abuse in early childhood services
Identify and respond to child abuse by an adult engaged by an early childhood service, including grooming
Creating a child-safe organisation
Child Safe Standards
Best practice advice for applying the Child Safe Standards to better protect children in early childhood services.
Resources and support
Understand your obligations to protect children
Staff working in early childhood services have legal obligations under a range of different schemes, that together aim to protect children.
Training
Access training options, including online webinars and eLearning, related to child safety, information sharing and the MARAM reforms.
Information sharing
Learn about child information sharing schemes and how early childhood staff can use them to support children’s wellbeing.
Responding to concerns about the wellbeing of a child
Regardless of the suspected cause, all concerns about the wellbeing of a child should be taken seriously and acted upon.
Updated