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PROTECT for early childhood

Guidance and resources to help early childhood services prevent, identify and respond to child safety concerns.

Speak up

As soon as you become aware of any concern that an adult in a service has abused a child, or that a child is at risk of being abused, you must act.

Also see

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.

Illustration of a school staff member.

Identify signs of child abuse in early childhood

Recognise the signs of child abuse, understand definitions, and know the physical and behavioural indicators.

Illustration of a school staff member.

Responding to concerns about the wellbeing of a child

Regardless of the suspected cause, all concerns about the wellbeing of a child (or an unborn child) should be taken seriously and acted upon.

Creating a child-safe organisation

Two illustrated children on a blue background.

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.

Icon of a light bulb

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 (or an unborn child) should be taken seriously and acted upon.

Education & training

Updated 23 March 2026

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