Promoting Protective Behaviours to achieve an Exceeding Rating

Perfect for Child protection week 7- 13 September 2025

By BEST Childcare Consulting

Protective Behaviours elevates child-safety from being adult-controlled and policy-driven to being child-empowered, embedded in daily practice, critically reflected on, and meaningfully shared with families and community. That’s what moves a service from Meeting into Exceeding. Protective Behaviours (PB) gives your service a shared safety language children can use every day (“I have a right to feel safe,” “helping-hand network,” “early warning signs”). PB West’s programs translate that language into consistent practice, coaching, and family engagement—exactly what assessors look for in Exceeding evidence. 

Why is this so important now?

Why now? From 1 September 2025, new NQF child-safety requirements begin (e.g., policy/procedures for safe use of digital technologies; faster reporting for specific harm). From 1 January 2026, NQS refinements sharpen the focus on child safety (especially QA2 & QA7). PB gives you a practical way to operationalise these changes across policy, practice, and culture.  

Why Protective Behaviours Goes Beyond “Meeting” Child Safety and demonstrates Exceeding practices

1. Child-led agency, not just adult supervision

  • Meeting: Services have supervision plans, risk assessments, and policies to keep children physically safe.
  • Exceeding with Protective Behaviours: Children are explicitly taught the language, strategies, and confidence to recognise their own “early warning signs,” name trusted adults, and actively seek help.
    • Example: Helping-Hand networks displayed in every room, with children able to explain who is on their hand and why.

2. Embedded culture, not just compliance paperwork

  • Meeting: Policies on child protection and mandatory reporting are documented, with staff trained to respond.
  • Exceeding with PB: The language of safety is visible in daily routines, rituals, learning stories, and conversations. Staff don’t just know the policy—they model it every day, and children demonstrate it back.
    • Example: Educators prompting “What does your body tell you?” during play, or children independently using PB scripts when they feel unsafe.

3. Critical reflection drives continuous improvement

  • Meeting: Incidents are recorded and reported in line with regulations.
  • Exceeding with PB: Every incident or near miss is a learning opportunity. Staff critically reflect on whether children recognised cues, whether PB prompts helped, and what adjustments might improve future outcomes.
    • Example: After a playground conflict, educators note which PB visual helped the child de-escalate and add that learning to their planning cycle.

4. Family and community partnerships are genuine and purposeful

  • Meeting: Families receive child-protection information (e.g., enrolment packs, policies).
  • Exceeding with PB: Families are actively engaged in PB learning, co-creating safety language and strategies that are consistent at home and service.
    • Example: Sending home Network Hand templates, or sharing the YMCA WA Protective Behaviours parent workbook, so children hear the same safe-language across settings.

5. Proactive alignment with reforms

  • Meeting: Services comply with current regulations (e.g., supervision, child protection training).
  • Exceeding with PB: Services are future-focused—using PB to operationalise upcoming NQF reforms (e.g., safe use of digital technologies policy by Sept 2025).
    • Example: Embedding “consent cards” for photos and online activity, so children themselves practise giving/withholding permission in line with new requirements.

Where can educators learn Protective Behaviours?

1. PB West

One of WA’s leading training bodies for Protective Behaviours.

  • Offers Protective Behaviours Universal (whole-staff awareness) and Protective Behaviours Universal Plus (certified), recognised by the Protective Behaviours International Alliance.
  • Tailored to early childhood, schools, and community organisations.
  • Focuses on embedding PB into daily practice, aligning with child-safety reforms and NQF requirements.
    🔗 PB West – Courses

2. WA Child Safety Services (WACSS)

A not-for-profit delivering PB programs, online safety, and child protection education across WA for schools, families, and educators. Recognised provider for the Department of Education.

3. Child Focused Safety Services WA

A registered charity offering PB workshops to government, NGOs, and families throughout metropolitan and regional Western Australia.

4. WA Child Protection Society

A Perth-based provider specialising in child protection and protective behaviours, with extensive experience in community, education, and faith‑based contexts.

5. eSafeKids (Perth)

Offers body‑safety and protective‑behaviours education via workshops, webinars, books, and resources to parents/carers, professionals, and early childhood services.

  • Covers topics including emotional intelligence, consent, boundaries, help‑seeking, online safety, and supporting vulnerable groups; meets NQS Standard 2.2.3 requirements.
    Wikipedia+15eSafeKids+15Eventbrite+15

6. Constable Care Foundation

A long-standing WA educational charity offering interactive theatre incursions (plays, puppetry, VR films) into schools on topics like protective behaviours, bullying, cybersafety, and respectful relationships.

  • Curriculum-linked, experiential learning delivered across the state; includes pre/post evaluation of children’s learning. https://constablecare.com.au

Exceeding practices QIP write ups

QA1 Educational Program & Practice (1.1, 1.2)
Educators purposefully embed Protective Behaviours (PB) so children can name feelings/body signals and identify trusted adults. Core tools appear across plans: Helping-Hand/Network Hand templates and Early Warning Signs posters/worksheets. Children increasingly use shared language (“safe people,” “warning signs,” “I need help”). Templates used include WACSS Helping-Hand, MeFirst My Network Hand, TPT Safety Network Hand, National Office for Child Safety Early-Warning Signs, Aussie Childcare Network posters, and Parkerville PB workbook. WACSSmefirst.org.ukTeachers Pay TeachersNational Office for Child SafetyAussie Childcare Networkparkerville.org.au

Embedded in practice

Informed by critical reflection

  • Team compares which visuals/scripts (e.g., Parkerville worksheets vs. Aussie Childcare Network posters) elicit clearer help-seeking; adjusts groupings and prompts accordingly. parkerville.org.auAussie Childcare Network
  • Educators trial Top Teacher PB worksheets to differentiate for language/age; termly review notes impacts on engagement. Top Teacher

Shaped by meaningful engagement

Next steps & measures

  • Add a PB field to program/observation templates.
  • Success = PB language evident in ≥90% observations each cycle; samples of child voice linked to Network Hand/Warning Signs artifacts.

QA2 Children’s Health & Safety (2.2 Child Safety)

PB tools give children practical, rehearsed strategies to stay safe and seek help. The service uses Early-Warning Signs visuals and Network Hand routines to operationalise child-safe culture. National Office for Child SafetyWACSS

Embedded in practice

  • Warning-Signs posters visible in each room; educators prompt “What does your body say?” and “Who is on your helping hand?” during play and transitions. National Office for Child Safety
  • Parkerville PB workbook pages used in social-skills groups (secrets vs surprises, calming strategies). parkerville.org.au

Informed by critical reflection

  • Incident/near-miss reviews check: did children name a sign; did they use a safe person; what educator cue worked best? Adjust supervision positions and language based on patterns captured.
  • Compare outcomes when using different templates (e.g., WACSS vs MeFirst hand) for clarity/access. WACSSmefirst.org.uk

Shaped by meaningful engagement

Next steps & measures

  • Monthly mini-audits confirm posters are displayed and referenced.
  • Success = reduced response time to help-seeking; children can name ≥2 body cues and ≥3 safe adults.

QA5 Relationships with Children (5.1, 5.2)

PB fosters warm, respectful relationships and children’s agency. Children practise assertive communication and seek help appropriately during peer conflict and routines.

Embedded in practice

  • Educators model PB scripts during conflicts (“Use your strong voice; name your feeling; find a safe person”).
  • Emmy & Friends videos/songs support warm, accessible language; displays of children’s Network Hands validate belonging. Desert Blue Connect

Informed by critical reflection

  • Team analyses which prompts (e.g., script, visual card, song) de-escalate fastest; updates the room’s “PB go-to” kit accordingly (Top Teacher prompts, Parkerville calming pages). Top Teacherparkerville.org.au

Shaped by meaningful engagement

Next steps & measures

  • Success = walkthroughs show 100% educators using PB prompts; child-voice samples each term show increased self-advocacy (“I can say no,” “I need help”).

QA6 Collaborative Partnerships with Families & Communities (6.1, 6.2)

Families and community partners shape how PB looks in our context. Resource choices reflect cultural/language needs and are shared for continuity across home and service.

Embedded in practice

Informed by critical reflection

  • Termly survey asks which tools families actually used (posters vs. workbook pages) and what to improve (e.g., simpler visuals, more examples). Adjust selections (e.g., add Children’s Safety Australia posters for First Nations families if helpful). Child Safety

Shaped by meaningful engagement

  • Run short parent sessions using Desert Blue Connect lesson overviews; share Emmy & Friends links for home viewing. Desert Blue Connect+1

Next steps & measures

  • Target ≥60% family participation in at least one PB activity each term; collect sample home photos of completed Network Hands (with consent) to evidence continuity.

QA7 Governance & Leadership (7.1, 7.2)

Leadership aligns policy, training, supervision, and incident-learning to sustain PB. Resource suite is curated, version-controlled, and embedded into induction and coaching.

Embedded in practice

Informed by critical reflection

  • Monthly data review: which rooms evidenced PB artifacts and which tools correlated with fewer incidents/more help-seeking; retire low-impact resources, scale high-impact ones.

Shaped by meaningful engagement

  • Leadership reports outcomes to families with live links to the exact templates used; curate a public list of the most effective resources for your community.

Next steps & measures

  • Maintain a current “PB Toolkit” page; 100% staff can locate/download core templates; incident reviews show improved, consistent educator responses.

Ideas for your Protective Behaviours early childhood education program

1. Helping-Hand / Network Hand Templates

How to use it in practice:

  • Invite children to draw or paste names/photos of five trusted adults (e.g., family, educators, community helpers).
  • Display completed hands in the room or send home as a takeaway resource—linking home and service safety networks.

2. Early Warning Signs Posters & Worksheets

Suggested implementation:

  • Display a warning‑signs poster in your visual or discussion area.
  • Use a body outline worksheet for individual or group sessions—students write/draw their own signs and coping strategies.

3. Comprehensive PB Lesson Packs

  • Desert Blue Connect offers a well‑structured suite of PB lesson plans and activity sheets:
  • Top Teacher provides a bundle of PB worksheets including: feelings, safety continuum, personal space, warning signs, safe secrets, safety networks, and more. Top Teacher+1
  • Emmy & Friends (Act for Kids) —provides animations, posters, songs, and activities for early learners. Resources include “Our Body’s Warning Signs” poster and “Safe Choices” worksheets. Emmy & Friends+1

4. Supportive Parent Resources

  • YMCA WA Protective Behaviours Workbook for parents/carers—includes guidance on early warning signs, safety networks, “5 ways to say No,” online safety, and communication tips. YMCA WA
  • Body Safety Australia offers a workshop booklet for parents, a PB parent resource from the Department of Education, and other guides to help build body‑safe homes. bodysafetyaustralia.com.au+1

Helpful Resources and Links 

  • PB West – Protective Behaviours Universal Plus (cert) (program overview & recognition). PB West
  • PB West – Training (course list; early years focus). PB West
  • PB West – Professional development hub (overview of PB goals & outcomes). PB West
  • WA DoE: Protective Behaviours parent brochure (two core themes; child-friendly language). Great for family packs. Department of Education
  • GDHR (WA Health) listing for PB West (sector-recognised PL). GDHR
  • ACECQA: Exceeding Themes guidance (the three themes explained). ACECQA
  • NQF child-safety changes 2025–26 (ACECQA info; StartingBlocks summary for families). ACECQAStarting Blocks
  • ECRU WA – latest regulatory updates (local implementation notes). Western Australian Government
  • WA Child Safety Services – free PB/online-safety resources (handouts & tools to supplement PB). WACSS

BEST Childcare Consulting 

At BEST Childcare Consulting, we believe Protective Behaviours is more than a program—it’s a culture that empowers children, equips educators, and reassures families. By embedding these strategies, your service doesn’t just meet the National Quality Standard—you demonstrate a genuine, living commitment to child safety and wellbeing. As always, use these inspirations to lead your service throughout the whole year in your everyday practices to truly earn an exceeding rating. 

Ask BEST how today.

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