CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION POLICY
Rationale:
Teachers at The Treehouse on Ranolf are made aware of this policy and the issues of emotional, physical and sexual abuse at the time of their induction. Teachers operate within the national Code of Ethics which sets a high standard for professionals in our field. Under section 6 of the Children, Young Persons and their Families Act (1989) “The interest, safety and well-being of children are paramount.”
Te Whariki:
Well-being Goal 3:
Children experience an environment where they are kept safe from harm. Child Abuse can be defined broadly into four categories:
Physical abuse, where non-accidental injuries occur
Sexual abuse which can be defined as the use of children for sexual gratification of someone who takes advantage of their power and/or the children’s trust.
Neglect, which is to deprive children of necessities such as food and shelter.
Emotional abuse, where the attitudes and behaviours of adults severely affect a
Child’s emotional and physical development. (Ministry of Education, 1993).
Purpose:
- The staff at The Treehouse are committed to the prevention of child abuse and the protection of all children.
- Such commitment ensures that the interests and welfare of the child are paramount when any decision is made of suspected abuse (as stated in CYPF Act 1989 section 6).
- As staff we support the roles of the Police and Children and Young Persons Service inboth the investigation and reporting of suspected abuse.
- We also endeavour to support families and work in conjunction with any external agenc
Our commitment involves:
As licensees of the centre we are committed to ensuring and increasing staff awareness of how to prevent and respond to child abuse. In order to achieve this commitment we shall:
- Ensure that staff attends training and advice on abuse prevention and take advantage of any training through national and support organisation
- The Treehouse on Ranolf will maintain high teacher/child rat
- Parents at The Treehouse on Ranolf are encouraged to visit at any time during the d Parents settling children into the centre are encouraged to witness and take part in our programme until such time as they feel secure enough to leave.
- Only adults named on the enrolment form are able to collect children from the centre.
- Non-custodial parents are to be referred to the Centre Manager, this will be done a seen is not caused and as not to upset the children at The Treehouse on Ranolf. The Centre Manager will advise the non-custodial parent that we are legally not allowed to let a child leave our care without signed permission from the parent withcustodial rights. The parent with custodial rights will be phoned.
- Permission from parents is required for their child(ren) to participate in centre outin Parents are encouraged to join us on outings as parent help.
- 7. A complaints procedure ensures issues of concern are dealt with appropriat Parents are encouraged to express their feelings and concerns in order that the operation of The Treehouse on Ranolf can be constantly improved.
- 8. Collect resources and material and guidelines on how to achieve greater knowledge. The Supervisors of each centre will be responsible to ensure that all staff has adequate knowledge.
- The employment procedure ensures that we safety check each staff member and we also ask for references that are specific to early childhood when interviewing staff. This provides us with background knowledge on staff. As per the requirements of the Vulnerable children’s act 2014.
- Visiting students are not allowed to change or toilet any child unsupervised and are not to be left alone with any child or group of children.
- Relievers will be allowed to change or toilet children and be left alone with groups at the discretion of the centre Manager.
- Parents will be notified of the presence of any student or reliever via the day book.
- Written documentation is kept on any issues of concern teachers may note about a child. Full, relevant, contextual factors are recorded by the supervisor and filed in the offic This information is confidential and kept in the locked cabinet in a file marked “child protection.”
- We shall work in conjunction with various agencies such as the Children’s and Young Persons service and the Police as we recognise the limitations of our level of expertise and do not assume any responsibility above that. Any correspondence with Cyfs or the Police will be kept in the file marked “child protection”
- Of primary importance is our need to support our staff as required.
EDUCATION
Children: Safety from abuse is part of our education programme. We ensure that children develop respect for their own and others bodies, minds and spirits. We encourage good self esteem, awareness of body health, such as concepts as “My body belongs to me” and “I have the right to say no.” Our educational programme is based on the Amazing ME DVD and a range of books including:
Briggs, F (2013) Child protection: The essential guide for teachers and other professionals whose work involves children.
Frederico J (2008). Some parts are not for sharing. USA, OK: Tate Publishing. Hansen D. (2007). Those are my private parts. USA, CA: Empowerment Productions.
King Z. & King K. (2010). I said No! USA, CA: Boulden Publishing
Saltz S. & Cravath L. (2005). Amazing you. New York: Puffin
Spelman, C. (1997). Your body belongs to you. Chicago: Whitman and Co. Girard, L. (1984). My body is private. Chicago: Whitman and Co.
Sanders, J. (2014). Some secrets should never be kept. Upload publishing ltd Bernstain S&J. (1985). The Bernstain Bears: Learn about strangers. USA Harris, R. (2006) Let’s talk. UK: Walker Books.
Freeman, L. (1986). It’s my body Parenting Press.
Caregivers and Whanau: Books are available on loan. The Centre Manager is available to talk with caregivers about our policy and/or where to get advice and support.
Staff: Members of the staff are given basic training annually regarding abuse, including recognising signs of abuse and procedures for reporting these. Local community resource people will be invited to provide this. The staffs are given opportunities to attend advanced training courses on child abuse, when available. Preference will be given to senior staff or those who take on responsibility of being part of the child safety team.
CHILD SAFETY TEAM
A child safety team of two staff members is responsible for setting policy and implementing the policy of the Centre. These staff members are given initial training in child abuse and are to attend refresher meetings as they become available, and organised by the manager.
The child safety team is to include the centre manager. The team is to ensure that policy and implementation of policy is culturally sensitive and appropriate. Any members of the team can call a meeting at any time.
ADVICE
Any member of the child safety team may talk unofficially to any appropriate health professional in confidence before the referral procedures are implemented.
CONFIDENTIALITY AND RECORD KEEPING
At all stages, confidentiality must be maintained. The Childs privacy is to be guarded and sharing of information on history of abuse and discussion of alleged abuse is only to involve those who absolutely need to know. Written record keeping is vital as records may be used later in court.
The centre manager is responsible for ensuring accurate records are kept. These include”
Dates and times of indication of abuse and reporter
Observations of Childs behaviour or appearance
Action taken by staff, including dates of referral to an outside agency.
These records are to be kept confidential.
ONGOING CARE FOR CHILDREN
Ensure the child’s immediate safety – do not alert the suspected abuser
If a child tells of abuse; listen; don’t question them.
Say you are glad they told you and you are sorry it happened
Let them know it’s not their fault and that you will help
Do not ask further questions
Do not put words in the Childs mouth
Allow them to tell only as much as they want
Continue to support the child
Ignore negative behaviour
If a Childs behaviour affects other children’s health and well being at the Centre, a parent meeting will be called by the centre manager to discuss the situation. The final decision of future action will be made by management and the child safety team, with consideration to the fact that the centre manager has the right to exclude any child if his/her behaviour is a danger to others.
REFERRAL
Note: “Centre Manager” as used below indicates that person employed as Centre Manager of that person acting as Centre Manager in the absence of the Centre Manager. An acting Centre Manager is responsible for reporting to the Centre Manager at the earliest possible opportunity.
It is mandatory that any staff noticing indicators of sexual abuse in a child, report this to the centre manager in private. The centre manger then takes the case to the child safety team to discuss appropriate action and referral. Action my first consist of gathering information through observation.
The Childs parents or legal caregivers are informed immediately by the centre manager, of the suspected abuse ONLY if the Childs welfare is not threatened by revealing the details of alleged abuse to the parents or caregivers.
If someone in the Childs home is suspected of abuse, the referral procedure is used as follows. The agency referred to, then advises the centre manager on how to meet the obligation to inform parents and caregivers.
The centre manager refers the case to Child, Youth and Families service (CYF 0508 FAMILY). The centre manager advises management that a case has been referred. Names are to be kept confidential at all times. If any person suspects that a staff member is abusing a child, it is mandatory that they report it to the centre manager.
If any person suspect the centre manager is committing the abuse, it is mandatory that they report it to the licensee. The staff member is advised to seek professional support. The staff member is suspended, on pay, immediately. The matter must be handled within three days.
VISITORS TOT THE CENTRE
The centre manager is responsible for ensuring that visitors to the centre know what touching sis deemed appropriate.
Inappropriate touching for visitors includes: hugs, kisses, tickling, stroking, sitting child on knee, carrying children, changing children’s clothing.
Appropriate touching is: holding hands (egg. Taking children inside), helping children in or out of a swing, physical removal from potentially dangerous situations.
The centre manager arranges with tutors, school teachers etc to inform visiting students of our policy, and speaks personally to the students where possible before any students arrive. Visitors, trainees, etc. Never toilet or change nappies. This is only done by staff.
PREVENTION OF ABUSE IN THE CENTRE
No closed doors on children’s toilets
Toilet/nappy change room door to be open at all times when children are in the room.
Sleeping room in under two area to have a glass window
Office door to be kept open if a child is present
No child to be in the outside sheds
No child is to accompany one single staff member on any trip outside the centre
Trips to any private home or building are only to be undertaken with more than one staff person.
PROTECITON OF STAFF
For the protection of staff that, through the course of their work, are caring for children’s bodily needs: All details of care given in respect to children’s genital areas must be recorded with date, time and action taken, as soon as possible after the event. This includes:
washing genitals (toileting sheet), applying medication to genitals (medicine book), inspection of genital areas if soreness, itching or injury is suspected (accident book). Children under two years old have this information recorded onto their daily record sheet. Male workers are not to be left alone with children where a situation could arise where allegations of sexual abuse could be substantiated.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
BOOKLETS:
How can I tell? Published by Child Matters (formerly CPS) 07 8383370
Childhood sexual behaviours. Published by Sexual Abuse Centre 07 348 1555
Sexual Abuse Centre Leaflets: Never do nothing When a child tells
CONTACTS
Child, youth and Families: 0508 326 459
Sexual Abuse Centre (Rotorua) Inc: 07 348 1555 help@sexualabuse.org.nz
POLICY ON ALLEGATIONS OF CHILD ABUSE AGAINST A STAFF MEMBER
Rationale
All children are treated with dignity and respect
Children have the right to have their needs met in a safe environment
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to Ensure the safety of the child is paramount
Ensure that all complaints are taken seriously and dealt with effectively
Ensure that in the case of a complaint against an employee, appropriate procedures are taken to protect the rights of that employee
Provide clear guidance for management and personnel in respect of allegations received concerning children in early childhood education services.
Procedures
There are two types of issues here:
One relating to the child’s security once the abuse is reported
Two relating to the procedure regarding the staff members.
It is essential to separate these issues and manage them independently.
The child will be protected as outlined in the PROCEDURE OF SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE. And the FLOW CHART OF ACTION AFTER ABUSE IS DISCOVERED OR DISCLOSED.
The child safety advocate will be advised.
The procedure for the staff member is outlined in the REPORTING FOR SUSPECTED OR DISCLOSED CHILD ABUSE.
The staff and management shall be advised and support made available from:
Some other appropriate person
NZEI: Te Riu Roa Counsellor
A human rights commission officer
The decision to lay a complaint should be made after consultation with the following.
Local Ministry Management Centre
NZCYPS
New Zealand Police
PROCEDURE OF SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE
STAFF RESPONSIBILITY
Teachers who have received training will oversee this process from the beginning to end.
1. Believed what children tell you and what you see
2. Always take action in the short term to ensure the immediate safety of the child.
This may mean contacting NZCYPS or the police if you think there is an immediate risk of the child being abused again.
3. Reassure the child. Do not make promises or commitments you cannot keep.
4. Do not take photos as this could interfere with police investigation and be seen as a breach of p It is the role of police to investigate.
5. Record your concerns and observations and anything said by the child Staff will respond to abuse by recording discussions, observations, impressions and concerns. This will include the following:
Date: Time: Discussion/Observation
Also record any comment from other staff present when the suspected abuse or disclosure occurred. Record the context and events you were made aware of surrounding the concern.
6. Avoid formally investigating the situation or interviewing the child. Obtain only necessary relevant fact Be aware of training and how emotional intent can be somewhat removed by recording facts.
7. No staff member will act alone, but at all times staff will consult with the Supervisor, of that age group. We have a child safety team that this is to be referred to. Discussion will be both private and confidential it is the discretion of the Centre Manager and Supervisor when and if to inform other staff.
8. Consult with Centre Manager or child safety team member. If there is no short-term risk, take time to consult thoroughly in order to make a well-informed decision.
Refer to reporting child abuse and neglect Chapter 3 in the booklet Breaking the
Cycle: An interagency guide to child abuse page 30.
9. Continue with observational data and record facts only, be aware of training and how emotional intent can be somewhat removed by recording fact
10. Allow Manager, Supervisor and staff to make an informed decision based on fact.
11. Consult with Licensees and then act upon this decision.
12. Contact the appropriate agency or support network with your concerns and with all the accumulated dat
13. Follow the procedures outlined by the supporting agency and decide who and when to inform the parent
14. If the allegation concerns the person responsible, inform the license
15. Seek guidance and support for all staff. Maintain confidentially within the Centre.
Professional ethics will provide the basis of all processes and actions taken. The privacy of those concerned must be respected.
Person responsible for managing the referral process
Notify CYF Contact Centre or the Police
INFORMATION REQUIRED FOR REPORTING
When a notification is made to Child, Youth and Family and/or the Police the person making the referral (the notifier) needs to provide the following information:
Their own name and contact details
Name of child/children (also known as/nicknames)
Date of birth
Ethnicity
Name of caregivers, parents, and other family members and current living situation
Current legal custodians
Reasons why it is believed the child is at risk
Other significant background information
Any concerns for their physical safety in making this notification.
Contact Centre telephone 0508 326 459
Then if advised to do so
Fax (09)9141211
Email CYFcallcentre@cyf.govt.nz
Police
During the notification ask for an indication of likely action and the agencies time frames for completing this.
Seek advice from CYF on what to tell the child and what action (if any) to take next.
NOTE: DECISIONS CONCERNING ECE ARRANGEMENTS AND NOTIFYING THE PARENTS WILL BE MADE BY THE POLICE AND SOCIAL WORKERS IN CONUSULTATION WITH THE ECE SERVICE.
Get support for yourself from appropriate people.