over mandatory reporting of child abuse
Organisations representing early childhood services and teachers are divided over calls for mandatory reporting of suspected child abuse but united in their belief that teachers need more training.
Dame Karen Poutasi's joint review into the children's sector, following last year's murder of five-year-old Malachi Subescz by his caregiver, recommended professionals working with children should be required to report suspected abuse and they should also receive compulsory training.
Teachers at the early childhood centre Malachi attended before he turned five noticed injuries on the boy, but did not follow the centre's policies for dealing with suspected abuse.
Organisations including Te Rito Maioha Early Childhood New Zealand, the Early Childhood Council and the Educational Institute said teachers needed training to identify the signs of neglect and abuse.
Link to article: Educational groups at odds over mandatory reporting of child abuse | RNZ News
