Child Protection in ECE: Mandatory Reporting & Safety Checks (NZ)

This guide sets out your legal obligations under the Children’s Act 2014 and the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 (s15) for early childhood education (ECE) services in New Zealand. It is written in plain English for all staff – teachers, administrators, and support workers. Last updated: May 2026.

1. Safety Checks under the Children’s Act 2014

The Children’s Act 2014 (formerly the Vulnerable Children Act) requires all ECE services to ensure every worker who has regular or overnight contact with children has undergone safety checks. This applies to all new and existing staff, including contractors and volunteers.

• Core workers (teachers, teacher aides, centre managers) must have a safety check that includes: identity verification, Police vetting (under the Criminal Records (Clean Slate) Act 2004), reference checks, and risk assessment.
• Non-core workers (e.g., cleaners who work after hours) must have a Police vet at minimum.
• Safety checks must be completed before the worker starts, or within a reasonable time if they are already employed (existing staff must be re-checked every 3 years).

2. Mandatory Reporting – Oranga Tamariki Act s15

Section 15 of the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 makes it mandatory for anyone who works with children (including ECE staff) to report concerns of abuse or neglect if they believe a child is at risk of harm. This is not optional.

What must be reported? Any belief that a child has been, or is likely to be, harmed physically, emotionally, or sexually, or is suffering from serious neglect. This includes:

• Physical abuse (e.g., bruises, burns, fractures)
• Sexual abuse (e.g., inappropriate touching, exposure to sexual material)
• Emotional abuse (e.g., constant criticism, threats, isolation)
• Neglect (e.g., lack of food, shelter, medical care, supervision)

Who must report? Every person who works in an ECE service – teachers, teacher aides, administrators, cooks, cleaners, volunteers. The duty is individual, not just the centre manager’s.

3. How to Report – Step by Step

1. If a child is in immediate danger – call 111 and ask for Police. Then notify Oranga Tamariki.
2. If not immediate but you have concerns – call Oranga Tamariki on 0508 326 459 (24/7). You can also email or use the online portal (see below).
3. What to say – give the child’s name, age, address, and details of the concern. You do not need to give your name, but it helps if OT needs more information.
4. Follow up in writing – within 24 hours, send a written report to OT using the Report of Concern form (available on the OT website). Keep a copy for your centre’s records.

4. When to Contact Oranga Tamariki Directly

Contact OT directly when:

• You have a specific concern about a child (e.g., a disclosure, visible injuries, significant change in behaviour).
• You suspect a child is living in an unsafe environment (e.g., family violence, drug use, mental health issues).
• A child tells you they have been hurt or are scared to go home.
• You see patterns of neglect (e.g., always hungry, dirty, unattended).

If you are unsure, call OT and discuss your concern anonymously. They will advise whether a formal report is needed.

5. Documentation – What to Record

Good documentation is critical for compliance and for any future investigation. Record:

• Date and time of the observation or disclosure.
• Exact words used by the child (if a disclosure) – do not paraphrase.
• Your observations – what you saw, heard, or noticed (e.g., “child had a bruise on left arm, 3cm diameter, purple/blue”).
• Actions taken – who you reported to, when, and what OT said.
• Any other relevant information – names of witnesses, photos (if safe and appropriate), previous concerns.

Store records securely in a locked cabinet or password-protected digital system. Only share with those who need to know (e.g., centre manager, OT, Police).

6. Training and Policy Requirements

Every ECE service must:

• Have a written child protection policy that is reviewed annually.
• Provide child protection training to all staff at induction and at least every 2 years.
• Display the OT contact number and reporting process in a staff-only area.

ShiftScript’s online portal includes a ready-to-use child protection policy template and a staff training log. Access the portal here to download your compliance pack.

7. What Happens After You Report?

Oranga Tamariki will assess the report and decide whether to investigate. They may contact you for more information. You are protected from legal liability if you report in good faith (s15(5) of the Oranga Tamariki Act). You cannot be disciplined by your employer for making a report.

If you are not satisfied with OT’s response, you can escalate to the Office of the Children’s Commissioner or the Police.