Childcare workers with ‘red flags’ should be on database to prevent them ‘shopping around’ for lax centres, inquiry told

<p>Head of NSW police child sex abuse squad also advises parents to report concerns directly to police – not their childcare centre</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/aug/14/news-live-australia-cybercrime-ev-electric-vehicle-road-tax-anthony-albanese-jim-chalmers-productivity-summit-ntwnfb">Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates</a></p></li><li><p>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></p></li></ul><p>The head of the New South Wales police child sex abuse squad has called for the creation of a national database of childcare workers who have had “red flags” raised that fall short of criminal prosecution.</p><p>Giving evidence before a government inquiry into the early childhood education sector in NSW, Det Supt Linda Howlett said such a database would allow centres to share intelligence about former employees who have faced serious allegations that didn’t result in criminal charges. They are still allowed to work with children.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/aug/14/childcare-workers-with-red-flags-should-be-on-database-to-prevent-them-shopping-around-for-lax-centres-inquiry-told">Continue reading...</a>