The NSW Child Safe Standards Framework is the guiding standard for child safety and wellbeing in NSW. All child-safe organisations that work with children in NSW should be committed to applying the ten standards in all aspects of their service provision.

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse identified situational risk, as being one of four dimensions and degrees of risk of child abuse. Situational risk is defined as “arising from the opportunities for abuse that the environment offers” (Parkinson & Cashmore’s report to the Royal Commission into institutional responses to child sexual abuse).

From the initial planning stage of the physical environment, approved providers should consider how they can minimise or prevent opportunities for situational risk and create child-safe spaces into the building design.

Situational crime prevention aims to reduce the opportunity for the abuse of children by designing environments with child safety at the forefront. According to the Office of the Children’s Guardian, in a child safe setting it relates to changing environmental factors that may increase the likelihood of child harm or abuse occurring, for example, by making sure there are no secluded or obstructed areas where adults can be alone with children (OCG, Risk Management and the Child Safe Standards, 2022, p.55).

“Child safe organisations are those that have sought to minimise the modifiable situational risks to the extent that is reasonably possible.” (Parkinson & Cashmore 2015)

The OCG also highlights how environmental cues in everyday environments may motivate or assist offenders. Examples of this in the environment include rooms divided with few lines of sight or private rooms without windows or glass that is covered in artwork or frosted. Making changes to the physical environment increases the chances of an offender being caught and has the effect of reducing the likelihood of unacceptable behaviour occurring.

The safety and wellbeing of children remains a priority for all governments and services, and a key objective of the National Quality Framework (NQF). At the request of the Australian Government, the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority has undertaken a review of child safety arrangements under the NQF. Education Ministers have agreed to accept in principle the recommendations from this review, subject to expert advice, consultation and regulatory impact assessment. Governments are now exploring implementation approaches for the recommendations, including legislative changes under the NQF. Further guidance and information, including consultation opportunities, will be shared with approved providers and services in 2024-25.

Considerations when planning the physical environment of your ECEC centre

• Open plan designs that ensure line of sight and maximise visibility
• Clear safety glass panelling on doors and observation windows that enable visual supervision for both indoor and outdoor spaces.
• Room dividers or ability to close spaces and reduce size of areas to supervise when required
• Window heights low enough for all children to see outside
• Access to service using keypad, card or fob
• Security cameras where appropriate
• Cot rooms with windows that allow for unrestricted view
• Wherever possible, create open spaces that avoid corners. If there are any corners, the use of convex mirrors may aid visual supervision
• Nappy change facilities with unrestricted view
• Outdoor storage facilities that do not restrict supervision
• Indoor storage facilities that do not restrict supervision
• Outdoor vegetation should be positioned where supervision is not obstructed.
• Position of children’s play spaces in relation to neighbouring properties
• Regular meetings with families, community, children and staff to discuss their thoughts on what a safe space looks like for them
• Ensuring all educators understand and follow the policies and the Child Safe Code of Conduct

Reflective questions

• Will all areas of the building have plenty of natural light?
• Is the play space an open plan?
• Are there any areas with poor visibility for supervision?
• Has a Child Safe Risk Management Plan been completed?

Useful references

• A Guide to the Child Safe Standards (PDF 11.3 MB)
• Risk Mangement and the Child Safe Standards (part 1) (PDF 5.2 MB)
• Risk Management and the Child Safe Standards (part 2) (PDF 10.7 MB)
• Assessing different dimensions and degrees of risk of child sexual abuse in institutions (PDF 2.1 MB)
• Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse - Final Report