Child Protection (Mandatory Reporting - Mason’s Law) Amendment Bill 2016

Overview

This bill adds early childhood education and care workers to Queensland's list of mandatory child abuse reporters. From 1 January 2017, qualified staff, nominated supervisors and individual approved providers at child care centres, kindergartens and family day care services must report suspected physical or sexual abuse to Child Safety.

Who it affects

Qualified ECEC staff and supervisors take on a new legal duty to report suspected abuse. Children in child care, their families, and the Department of Child Safety are also affected.

Key changes

• Qualified child care staff, kindergarten teachers and family day care educators become mandatory reporters of suspected child abuse
• Nominated supervisors at education and care services must also report
• Individual approved providers (not corporate providers) are included in the duty
• The duty starts on 1 January 2017 to allow time for training
• Volunteers and staff without a Certificate III qualification are not covered