Child protection policy

1.1 INTRODUCTION

As part of your role, you may be required to work with children in the workplace.

Core workers and non-core workers who work with or near children are responsible for preventing child abuse, recognising indicators and responding effectively if issues arise, including Mandatory Reporting of child abuse. Child abuse can be any or a combination of the following: physical, sexual, emotional and neglect.

This policy is aimed at supporting children, their whānau, agencies, core and non-core workers to monitor and upkeep the wellbeing of children who may come in contact with the organisation.

We recognise the important roles and responsibilities of all of our workers in the protection of children and young persons by identifying and responding to suspected child abuse or neglect. We aim to provide a safe environment, free from any child abuse.

To ensure that s.18 of the Children’s Act 2014 is met; the organisation will: (a) adopt a child protection policy

(b) ensure that the policy is available upon request from the work office and that all workers are aware of the policy and have acknowledged the policy

(c) ensure that all agencies, contracts or funding arrangements fulfil the requirements of this policy (d) review the policy at least once every three years

The procedures below are to be followed to ensure the health and safety risks associated with children are minimised.

1.2 ORGANISATION RESPONSIBILITIES

The organisation has a duty to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, the health, safety and wellbeing at work of all its workers whilst working with children. In particular, it is responsible for:

  • indoor and outdoor environments;

  • all equipment, including emergency equipment;

  • playgrounds and fixed equipment in outdoor environments;

  • cleaning services;

  • horticultural maintenance if applicable;

  • pest control;

  • monitoring the conditions of the workplace and the health of workers;

  • ensuring that all play equipment and furniture are maintained in a safe condition; and

ensuring the physical environment at the service is safe, secure and free from hazards for children.

1.3 WORKER RESPONSIBILITIES

Where working with or around children you shall:

  • work with other workers to ensure the smooth operation of the day to day running of the organisation in accordance with relevant policies and procedures;

  • ensure no child leaves the premises without their parent/caregiver or another authorised person with written permission from their parent/caregiver;

  • ensure a clean and healthy environment for all children;

  • perform incidental administrative duties (filling out accident/incident reports when necessary);

  • attend to incidental cleaning and housekeeping associated with the individual and group activities, experiences and routines where applicable and appropriate;

  • communicate with parents or workers in accordance with the relevant health and safety policies; and

  • as required carry out any other duties that you are competent to perform as a worker.

1.4 CONTROLLING CHILD PROTECTION

To ensure the safety of children and ensure their protection from abuse whilst in care, the Organisation will:

  • Ensure all core workers or non-core workers are safety checked as appropriate and as prescribed by section

    31 of the Children’s Act 2014;

  • ensure supervision and visibility of children at all times in all indoor and outdoor areas by at least two workers and ensure no child or young person is left unsupervised or in the supervision of any person who has not obtained the appropriate safety checks,

  • ensure awareness between all workers that it is a criminal offence for anyone to physically or sexually abuse a child; to cause permanent emotional damage, eg making a child feel constantly frightened, stupid, bad or threatened; provide inadequate supervision, food, clothing and shelter or to physically punish children in any way;

  • ensure awareness between all workers and educate workers to know never to use abusive, derogatory, humiliating language or inappropriately punish children by withdrawing child’s food, rest, use of the toilet, or locking in a room;

  • ensure that criminal and child protection safety checks when legally required are carried out on all workers performing work with or around children or young persons at least once every three years;

  • ensure staff are trained on the early detection of child abuse, be able to observe for signs of child abuse and promptly report to management;

  • ensure all children’s centre staff are informed that Mandatory Reporting of child abuse is required if they have reasonable grounds to suspect that a child is at risk of harm by family, relatives, friends, caregivers, volunteers or staff, due to:

o the child’s basic physical or psychological needs not being met;

o unwillingness or inability to arrange for the child to receive necessary medical care - the child has been, or is at risk of being physically or sexually abused or ill-treated;

o incidences of domestic violence, and as a consequence, the child or young person is at risk of serious physical or psychological harm; and

o behaviour towards the child which causes suffering or is at risk of suffering serious psychological harm.

1.5 GUIDELINES/PROCEDURES

In the first instance it is preferred, though not compulsory, to report child abuse concerns to management. If there is an issue or disagreement between workers and management, and the workers have reasonable grounds to believe that a child is currently at risk of harm, they are legally required to make a report directly to the police or to a social worker from the Ministry for Children Oranga Tamariki.

In investigating into the concerns, the Organisation and its workers must:

  • ensure confidentiality in accordance with the Privacy Policy so the child is not at further risk of abuse, suspected abuse, or at risk of being intimidated to change their story and so a wrongly accused adult does not suffer damage to reputation and/or livelihood;

  • not interview children about suspected abuse without prior consent from their parents, caregivers or advice from the Ministry of Education or a related agency;

  • know that the identity and confidentiality of reporters is confidential and that they are legally protected and cannot be prosecuted for reporting child abuse on reasonable grounds, in accordance with the appropriate regulations;

  • ensure all workers are trained in order to recognise and respond to suspected abuse and neglect. The training should ensure roles and expectations of adult behaviour with children meet professional requirements as this will assist with the personal safety of core and non-core workers;

  • be aware of cultural practices that can be misinterpreted as signs of abuse;

  • train and encourage workers to be aware of their own personal levels of tolerance and stress and to take

    regular breaks.

1.6 CHILD PROTECTION COMMITMENT

The Organisation, its directors and its workers agree to comply with the Child Protection Policy and, if any, accompanying procedures in other organisations, schools or kuras in which they are working.

The Organisation, its directors and its workers will ensure that there are procedures in place to identify and respond to allegations regarding abuse and that the confidentiality of all parties allegedly involved is upheld.

The Organisation will ensure all records in relation to reports or investigations are filed confidentially and kept on record for 7 years.