working in children's services
The Children's Services Regulation 2004 (the Regulation) sets the requirements for who can work in children’s services.
As well as being a minimum of 18 years of age, Clause 6 of the Regulation defines a person who has the required abilities to care for children as a person who:
- is sympathetic to the welfare of children, and
- has adequate knowledge and understanding of children and families so as to be capable of meeting their needs, and
- is able adequately to care for and supervise children, and
- is of suitable maturity, health and personality to care for children.
do I need to be qualified to work in children’s services?
Many people work in children’s services without holding a formal qualification.
However, a licensed centre-based children’s service must employ a number of qualified people. The number of people required, and their type of qualification will vary depending upon the numbers and ages of children for which the centre is licensed.
Qualifications are required for the positions of Authorised supervisor, Teaching staff member and Primary contact staff member for children under two years.
See the current list of qualifications that meet the Regulation.
The Regulation also specifies a qualification for cooks if meals are prepared and provided to children on the premises of a child care service.