Educators May Be Banned From Using Personal Phones Following A Nationwide Review Into Child Safety

A statewide inquiry into child safety may lead to a ban on personal phones and iPads being used by childcare providers.

The review will be presented to the nation's education ministers, who will formally decide whether or not to implement the recommendation—which is currently in effect in numerous childcare facilities.

Earlier this year, the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) was given the duty of examining the child safety protocols at childcare facilities by Federal Education Minister Jason Clare and Early Childhood Minister Anne Aly.

Education ministers will consider the review's recommendations at a national conference later today, with an announcement anticipated soon.

It is anticipated that the suggestions would also include new guidelines for bolstering worker registration and recruitment.

The assessment also looked at mandatory reporting, the working with children check procedure, and state-to-state record-keeping and information-sharing efficiency.

The suggestions also call for creating a national educator registry, enabling states and territories to exchange data with authorised providers and regulatory bodies.

Reference:
Childcare Workers Could Banned From Using Personal Phones At Work After Nationwide Review Into Child Safety, ABC NEWS, 11 December 2023