Child and Staff Protection policy

Child Protection Policy

Policy summary

This policy outlines our commitment to child protection. It includes our procedures when child abuse is reported to us or suspected by us. It also includes acceptable practice on measures to be taken to prevent child abuse. All staff are expected to be familiar with this policy and to abide by it.

Purpose statement

We have an obligation to ensure the well being of children in our care and are committed to the prevention of child abuse and neglect and to the protection of all children. The safety and wellbeing of the child is our top priority when investigating suspected child abuse.

We support the roles of the New Zealand Police and the Child, Youth and Family in the investigation of suspected abuse and will report suspected/alleged abuse to these agencies.

We support families/whānau to protect their children.

We provide a safe environment, free from physical, emotional, verbal or sexual abuse.

Policy principles

• The interest and protection of the child is paramount in all actions.
• We recognise the rights of family/whānau to participate in the decision- making about their children.
• We have a commitment to ensure that all staff are able to identify the signs and symptoms of potential abuse and neglect and are able to take appropriate action in response.
• We are committed to supporting all staff to work in accordance with this policy, to work with partner agencies and organisations to ensure child protection policies are consistent and high quality.
• We will always comply with relevant legislative responsibilities.
• We are committed to share information in a timely way and to discuss any concerns about an individual child with colleagues or the person in charge.
• We are committed to promote a culture where staff feel confident that they can constructively challenge poor practice or raise issues of concern without fear of reprisal.

Definitions

Child abuse: Includes physical, emotional and sexual abuse, as well as neglect which is the direct consequence of a deliberate act or omission by an adult and which has the potential or effect of serious harm to a child.

Identifying possible abuse or neglect

• As an organisation we will follow and adhere to the Reporting Process for child abuse Action Plan (attached to this policy)

All suspicions or observed incidents or reports of incidents should be reported directly to the Person in Charge as soon as possible, who will immediately take steps to protect the child(ren), record the report and report the concern to Child, Youth and Family.

If there is clear evidence of reasonable cause to believe an instance of child abuse having taken place, the person in Charge shall notify Child, Youth and Family.

In addition to guiding staff to make referrals of suspect child abuse and neglect to the statutory agencies (i.e. Child Youth and Family and the Police), this child protection policy will also help staff to identify and respond to the needs of the many vulnerable children whose wellbeing is of concern.

In many of these cases the involvement of statutory agencies would be inappropriate and potentially harmful to families/whānau. Throughout New Zealand statutory and non-statutory agencies provide a network of mutually supportive services and it is important for our organisation to work with these to respond to the needs of vulnerable children and families/whānau in a manner proportionate to the level of need and risk.

Staff members will discuss suspicions with a senior staff member.

Where appropriate, the person making the allegation will be given a copy of this policy.

Allegations or concerns about staff

When a staff member if suspected, the same process applies.

If there is a need to pursue an allegation as an employer, consult the Child, Youth and Family or the police before advising the person concerned, informing them that they have a right to seek legal advice and providing them with an opportunity to respond. They should also be informed of their right to seek support from the relevant union/representative body. It is vital to follow disciplinary policies, guided by the employment contract and relevant statutory obligations.

We commit not to use ‘settlement agreements’, where these are contrary to a culture of child protection. Some settlement agreements allow a member of staff to agree to resign provided that no disciplinary action is taken, and a future reference is agreed. Where the conduct at issue concerned the safety or wellbeing of a child, use of such agreements is contrary to a culture of child protection.

Confidentiality and information sharing

The Privacy Act 1993 and the Children, Young Persons, and their Families Act 1989 allow information to be shared to keep children safe when abuse or suspected abuse is reported or investigated. Note that under sections15 and 16 of the CYPF Act, any person who believes that a child has been, or is likely to be, harmed physically, emotionally or sexually or ill treated, abused, neglected or deprived may report the matter to Child, Youth and Family or the Police and, provided the report is made in good faith, no civil, criminal or disciplinary proceedings may be brought against them.

Recruitment and information sharing

Little Rock Preschool is committed to the prevention of child abuse and the protection of children. The interests and welfare of the child will be the prime consideration where abuse is suspected.
This Centre believes that education of children and parents is important in the prevention of child abuse. The Preschool will encourage parents by the use of notice boards and drawing attention to courses on the prevention of child abuse organised by any group or organization in the community.
We will ensure that a safe environment is provided at all times in the Preschool, but having at least two staff on at all times while children are attending.

Staff safety checking will be carried out in accordance with the Vulnerable Children Act 2014. This will include:

• police vet (rechecked every 3 years)
• 2 ID verifications
• references
• an interview
• a work history will be sought – if there is any suspicion that an applicant might pose a risk to a child, that applicant will not be employed.

Teaching, supervision and support

Training, resources and /or advice will be available to ensure staff can carry out their roles in terms of this policy, particularly:

• Understanding child abuse and indicators of child abuse.
• How to reduce the risk of child abuse.
• Understanding and complying with legal obligations in regard to child abuse.
• Working with outside agencies on child abuse issues.
• Planning of environment and supervision to minimise risk.
• Dealing with child/parents/family/whānau.

This policy will be a part of the initial staff induction programme.

It will be reviewed at least every three years.

Staff Protection against Allegations of Child Abuse

Staff must be aware of the need to place themselves beyond any suspicion of child abuse or mistreatment while caring and educating children in the centre.  Staff need to be alerted to possible situations and behaviours that could be misconstrued.

1. Teacher/s should never be alone with child/ren. Sleep room has two way communication and video surveillance for staff protection and/or child’s safety.

2. A teacher should not change a child’s clothing, or bathe a child that has soiled itself, in a closed space. If it is necessary to do so, in the interests of the child’s right to privacy, then another adult should be made aware of the necessity and shall check the area at regular intervals.

3. Parents should be advised whenever a child has had to be bathed or changed.

4. Staff should encourage children’s self- care skills and teach them to change themselves whenever possible.

5. Staff or parents/whānau will be responsible for the changing of children.

6. If any abuse is suspected, this should be monitored and recorded (in red folder in Manager’s Office).  The procedures outlined in the Child Protection Policy should be followed.

7. Any person at any time, who suspects abuse, may directly contact the police or any other appropriate social agency.

(Definition- A closed space shall be defined as any area where another adult has restricted visual access from the outside.)