Safe Communities, Safe Children
Safe Communities, Safe Children (SCSC) is CAPS’ flagship early childhood program for preventing child sexual abuse before harm occurs, drawing on our award-winning child protection work.
The program brings together preschool-aged children, parents and carers, educators and early learning services to build a protective community around each child.
Who can benefit from the program?
Every child should have access to safe, evidence-informed and age-appropriate child sexual abuse prevention. Families should not have to wait for a concern or identified risk to access resources.
SCSC brings prevention to preschool-aged children and the adults around them. Our ambition is for every child to benefit, regardless of where they live or their early learning service’s resources.
SCSC has been delivered across rural locations and has reached Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, families of children with disabilities, families affected by domestic and family violence, and culturally and linguistically diverse families. We work with participating services and communities to understand their needs and support effective program delivery.
How does the program work?
Connected sessions, activities and resources help families and educators use consistent protective language and reinforce learning in everyday life.
The program offers in-person and online delivery options to support access for parents, carers and educators.
Safe Communities, Safe Children includes:
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This two-hour professional development session equips early childhood educators to recognise grooming behaviours and indicators of abuse, respond appropriately to disclosures and understand their reporting responsibilities. Educators also learn practical ways to reinforce children’s protective knowledge and skills.
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This two-hour information session helps parents and carers understand the nature and prevalence of child sexual abuse, recognise risks at different stages of childhood and understand their role in protecting children. It builds their confidence to recognise and respond to concerns, take practical steps to keep children safe in everyday life, and involve family members and other trusted adults in supporting children’s safety.
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Children and educators participate in age-appropriate activities using play, music, stories and conversation to explore body ownership, boundaries, recognising when something feels uncomfortable or unsafe and seeking help from trusted adults.
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Three one-hour sessions bring parents and preschool children together to explore body ownership, boundaries and seeking help. Through a range of engaging, interactive activities, families practise protective language and skills. Parents and carers learn simple ways to keep these conversations going and make body safety part of everyday family life.
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Take-home materials for parents and carers, and toolkits for educators, help reinforce learning at home and in early learning settings.
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CAPS provides ongoing contact and resources to participating centres for 12 months after delivery, helping educators embed prevention in everyday practice.
The Foundations of SCSC
SCSC draws on CAPS’ prevention experience, research and community needs. Its design reflects findings from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and the Australian Child Maltreatment Study, and aligns with the National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse and the Child Safe Standards.
Responsibility for children’s safety remains firmly with adults. Children’s learning supports a wider approach in which adults and organisations create safer environments and take protective action.
CAPS has partnered with the Australian Institute of Health Innovation at Macquarie University to independently evaluate SCSC and inform ongoing improvements.
Client Testimonials
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"I appreciated the brainstorming activity to see what we do well and what we can improve for our service"
Sun Valley Preschool Educator
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"Outstanding presenter. Great access to extra resources. Sensational organisation of tasks especially brainstorming sessions. Great for free thinking of innovative ideas"
Pennant Hills War Memorial Children's Centre Educator
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"Good pace, informative and enjoyed interactive small group aspects"
Elanora Heights Community Preschool Educator
Get in touch with CAPS:
Interested in implementing Safe Communities, Safe Children at your organisation or learning more about its benefits?
Contact us and a member of the CAPS team will be in touch soon!