Playcentre Aotearoa’s
Child Protection Procedure
1.0 | How we keep tamariki safe at Playcentre |
1.1 | Tamariki are supervised at all times, with a minimum of a 1:5 Adult to Child Ratio. Children aged under 2.5 must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver at all times. |
1.2 | There is a minimum of 2 adults on any session and at all times that children are present, the exception being when a parent is with their own tamariki |
1.3 |
Centres to use an “open door‟ policy.
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1.4 | Adults attending to the toilet needs, personal care or wash down/showering of a child other than their own child will inform another adult. The second adult should maintain line of sight if possible, or maintain an awareness of the situation and check-in as needed. |
1.5 | Tamariki have the right to privacy. |
1.6 | Tamariki should have, at the very least, either underwear or a nappy on during sessions. No child should be left naked. |
1.7 | When tamariki are sleeping at Playcentre consideration is given to ensuring visibility – whilst maintaining quiet, restful sleep spaces. |
1.8 |
Physical Contact Appropriate physical contact:
Inappropriate physical contact
It is unacceptable to immobilise, restrain or place a child in solitary confinement. |
1.9 |
All practicable steps are taken to protect tamariki from exposure to inappropriate material (for example, of an explicitly sexual or violent nature). This includes: – Magazines and other printed material brought into the Centre are checked prior to access by tamariki to ensure they are appropriate – Personal electronic devices, such as mobile phones, are kept where tamariki cannot access them during session time, unless under the supervision of adults. – If tamariki are using internet-connected devices as part of their learning, safe search tools are engaged and adults closely supervise the activity. |
1.10 |
All people employed to work in a Centre (or Centres) will be safety checked and/or police vetted, depending on the requirements relating to their role. Where a role has regular contact with tamariki (at least one day a week or four times a month), they will be safety checked, following the Safety Checking Procedure. Where they do not have regular contact, the employee will be police vetted before having unsupervised access to children, and the form will be submitted no later than 2 weeks after they have been employed. |
1.11 |
Any contractor, or the employee of a contractor, who has, or is likely to have, unsupervised access to children at the Centre during normal opening hours will also be required to complete a police vet prior to having such access. The Centre will let the Regional office know that a contractor is coming on site as soon as possible, and the Regional Office will arrange for a police vet, and communicate the result to the Centre President or equivalent. |
1.12 |
Training a) New Playcentre members will be familiarised with the Child Protection Policy and these procedures as part of their induction process. b) The Playcentre Education Programme contains information regarding Child Protection within the Playcentre Introductory Award, which all members are encouraged to complete c) Centres will review this policy and procedure as part of regular policy review at least every three years d) People with the Persons Responsible qualifications will receive refresher Child Protection training at least every two years. e) Child Protection training will be provided to Regional employees involved in the Child Protection Process at least every two years. Regional staff will be given the opportunity to discuss anonymised situations to build their knowledge of ways to reduce risk, increase safety and respond to child protection situations. |
2.0 |
Child Protection Response Process: What to do when…. |
When abuse is witnessed | When a child discloses | When signs of abuse or neglect are suspected | Allegations/concerns about Employees |
2.1 | ***Phone the POLICE if you believe the child is in IMMEDIATE DANGER. The police are the only people who can keep or remove a child from a family. *** | See Indicators of Abuse or Neglect (5.0) below for some of the signs of abuse or neglect. | When an employee is suspected, the same child Protection Response processes apply. |
2.2 |
Take action if safe to do so. The safety and well- being of the child is paramount. At Playcentre it is also important to consider the safety of yourself and others. Remove the child from immediate danger if it is safe to do so and ensure that a Centre member (whom the child is comfortable with) stays with the child. If not, phone the POLICE immediately. |
Don’t Panic – Listen to the child: Disclosures by children are often subtle and need to be handled with care. Be aware of the child’s cultural identity and how that may affect interpretation of their behaviour and language. |
Follow these procedures This process must be followed regardless of who the suspected abuser is. The interest and wellbeing of our children is our prime consideration. |
ALL matters involving allegations against employees MUST be escalated to the Regional Manager. They will take all necessary steps and keep senior Centre members informed as appropriate and where it is not in breach of confidentiality. |
2.3 |
Ensure the alleged abuser is not left on their own within the Centre premises.
You cannot stop them from leaving |
Reassure the child Let the child know that they are not in trouble and have done the right thing. |
Consider all available information about the child and their environment. |
To ensure the child is kept safe, Regional or National management- following appropriate employment procedures – will suspend an employee under investigation for suspected abuse whilst investigation occurs. |
2.4 | Do not question or interview the child. |
Do not interview the child You can ask open – ended prompts e.g. “What happened next?” , but otherwise do not question the child. |
Do not question or interview the child. | Playcentre Aotearoa disciplinary procedures must be followed, including suspension procedures. |
2.5 | Maintain confidentiality and keep the alleged abuser informed about what is happening |
Do not make promises that can’t be kept e.g. “I will keep you safe now”. |
Do not confront the person you believe may be abusing or neglecting the child/ren | Regional or National Management will consult with Oranga Tamariki and/or the Police before taking any further actions. |
2.6 | Complete an Injury, Incident or Illness form, and if serious injury or incident occurred notify, the Regional office, Worksafe and the Ministry of Education. |
Support the child If the child is visibly distressed: Provide appropriate reassurance and re- engage in appropriate activities under supervision until they can participate in ordinary activities. If the child is not in immediate danger: Re-involve the child in ordinary activities and explain what you are going to do next.
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Even if a parent is suspected of abuse, we cannot prevent a child from going home | |
2.7 | Even if abuse is witnessed, we cannot prevent a child from going home. | Even if a parent is suspected of abuse, we cannot prevent a child from going home. |
2.8 |
Record factual observations of anything that raises concerns, as soon as possible.
You may use the Playcentre Aotearoa Child Protection Record Form |
2.9 |
Do not act alone, Raise concerns directly with the right person:
They will facilitate appropriate action to be taken. Confidentiality will be maintained. You may escalate the response if the initial person is taking no action, or is involved in the concern. AND / OR Oranga Tamariki on 0508 FAMILY (0508 326 459) or the Police NB: if you contact Oranga Tamariki or the Police directly, please also contact the Regional or National office to enable them to ensure appropriate support is provided to the Centre. The Regional office will notify the Ministry of Education. |
2.10 | Where a serious injury or incident occurs at the Centre, the Serious Harm Investigation Form will also need to be completed, and the Ministry of Education notified (see Illness, Injury and Incident Procedures Q9.4.2). |
NOTES:
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3.0 |
Responding to other concerns as outlined in Children’s Action Plan publication “Safer organisations, safer children” |
3.1 | Where a concern about a child doesn’t amount to suspicion of abuse or neglect, it could be harmful to the wellbeing of the child and their whānau to make a notification to the statutory agencies. Instead, Playcentre Aotearoa at Centre level with support from their Regional team as required, should work to partner with social service providers in their communities to identify and address the needs of the child. |
3.2 |
The services available in each community will vary and may include a range of government and non- government providers who will be able to help the child and their whānau. For example, Strengthening Families, Whānau Ora, Iwi Social Services, Social Workers in Schools, Children’s Teams, whānau counselling agencies, budget services and mental health and drug and alcohol services. It is important to build good working relationships with these providers to ensure that we can appropriately share relevant information to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our tamariki. |
3.3 | Regional Offices identify and build connections with these providers in the regional area with the aid of the local Ministry of Social Development. |
3.4 |
You can make referrals for learning support by either emailing [email protected] or calling 0800 622 222 (NZ only). |
4.0 | Regional Office Procedures following a report of a Child Protection Concern | WHO |
4.1 | Centres direct any concerns to the person responsible for Centre support at the Regional Office, or directly to the Service Delivery Manager. | |
4.2 |
Recording 1. Advise the person raising the concern to formally record details, as outlined in 2.8. You may use the Playcentre Aotearoa Child Protection Record Form 2. Remind the person raising the concern that they need to maintain confidentiality and should not discuss this further with others at their Centre or in their community. 3.1 As the Playcentre employee being notified of the suspected abuse or neglect maintain a record of your involvment, including
Relevant information can inform any future actions. |
Person raising concern and Centre Support Coordinator (CSC) or Regional Manager (RM) |
4.3 |
Decision- making Child protection concerns raised should be dealt with within a reasonable timeframe. This will need to be assessed on a case by case basis. In the case of a Centre member; The Centre Support Coordinator (or other Regional role responsible for Centre support) should discuss the case with their Regional Manager. Outcomes sought;
If there is reason to investigate the allegation and/or reasonable belief that there is a child protection issue, then with the appropriate consultation and given the significance of the allegation, any Playcentre person under investigation for suspected abuse will be required to suspend attendance and duties at Playcentre whilst investigation occurs. They will be provided with a contact person, and support will be offered, recognising that this is a difficult situation. Their child/ren may still attend Playcentre but would need to be brought by a different adult. In the case of an employee; The Regional Manager should discuss the case with Service Delivery Manager
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4.4 |
Notifying authorities You will need to notify Oranga Tamariki promptly if there is a belief that a child has been, or is likely to be abused or neglected. Preferably this will be done by a Regional team role, with the person who originally reported available to answer further questions. a) Initial contact with Oranga Tamariki should be via the telephone contact centre (see details below) as this enables both parties to discuss the nature of the concerns and appropriate response options. Phone: 0508 Family (0508 326 459) Email: [email protected] Oranga Tamariki will – Make the decision to inform the parents or caregivers, in consultation with our organisation. – Advise what, if any, immediate action may be appropriate, including referring the concern to the Police.
b) Contact your local Ministry of Education Office and follow processes as required by that office. |
Centre Support Coordinator (CSC) Or Regional Manager (RM) Or Service Delivery Manager Or Person raising concern (with support of staff) |
4.5 |
Following the advice of Oranga Tamariki Oranga Tamariki advice will include what, if any, immediate action may be appropriate, including referring the concern to the Police. Oranga Tamariki is responsible for looking into the situation to find out what may be happening, whether Playcentre Aotearoa needs to work with the whānau or put them in touch with people in their community who can help. |
Centre Support Coordinator (CSC) Or Regional Manager (RM) Or Service Delivery Manager |
4.6 |
Storing relevant information Securely store:
A record of any related discussions (including copies of correspondence, where appropriate).
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Centre Support Coordinator (CSC) Or Regional Manager |
5.0 | Indicators of abuse or neglect |
Indicators of potential abuse may include | Indicators of potential neglect may include |
Physical signs |
e.g., unexplained injuries, burns, fractures, unusual or excessive itching, genital injuries, sexually transmitted diseases. | e.g., looking rough and uncared for, dirty, without appropriate clothing, underweight. |
Developmental delays | e.g., small for their age, cognitive delays, falling behind in school, poor speech and social skills. |
Emotional abuse/neglect | e.g., sleep problems, low self-esteem, obsessive behaviour, inability to cope in social situations, sadness/loneliness and evidence of self-harm. |
Behavioural concerns |
e.g., age- inappropriate sexual interest or play, fear of a certain person or place, eating disorders/substance abuse, disengagement/neediness, aggression. |
e.g., disengagement/ neediness, eating disorders/substance abuse, aggression. |
The child talking about things that indicate abuse | Sometimes called an allegation or disclosure. | |
Neglectful supervision | e.g., out and about unsupervised, left alone, no safe home to return to. | |
Medical neglect | e.g., persistent nappy rash or skin disorders or other untreated medical issues. |
RESOURCES
https://www.education.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Early-Childhood/Licensing-criteria/Working-together-to- keep-CYP-safe.pdf
http://www.education.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/VCAPracticalGuide.pdf: Children Act 2014: a practical guide for early childhood education services
REFERENCES
Playcentre Aotearoa’s Child Protection Policy
Playcentre Aotearoa’s Child Protection Response Flowchart Children’s Act 2014
Privacy Act 1993
Playcentre Aotearoa Child Protection Record Form https://www.orangatamariki.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/Safer-Organisations-safer-children.pdf