7.1.2 Child Protection Procedure

Centres to use an “open door‟ policy.

1. Adults are discouraged from being out of sight or alone with a
2. Efforts will be made to remain visible to
3. Opportunities are limited for adults to be out of sight and alone with children.

Physical Contact

Appropriate physical contact:

1. Physical contact between tamariki and adults is normal, natural and desirable, and should be used by adults to show affection, to comfort, to reassure them and to give praise, as well as taking care of their physical needs.
2. Where a child is harming themselves or others, you may need to carefully and gently briefly block their action, in order to intervene and prevent harm

Inappropriate physical contact

1. It is inappropriate to force unwanted affection or touching on a

It is unacceptable to immobilise, restrain or place a child in solitary confinement.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Child Protection Response Process: What to do when….

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.

Ensure the alleged abuser is not left on their own within the Centre premises.

1. A senior Centre member should always remain with them.

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.

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.

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 make promises that can’t be kept e.g. “I will keep you safe now”.

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.

Record factual observations of anything that raises concerns, as soon as possible.

1. Anything said by the child – word for
2. Date, time, location and names of any members that may be
3. Factual concerns or observations that have led to suspicion of abuse or neglect. (e.g., any physical, behavioural or developmental concerns).
4. Any action
5. Any other relevant information that may be
6. The details of the person recording
7. The details of the person verifying the information
8. Ensure confidential information is stored It is not appropriate to store this information in the Centres shared files such as onedrive or email. It should be stored at the Regional office with the Centre Support Coordinator.

You may use the Playcentre Aotearoa Child Protection Record Form

Do not act alone, Raise concerns directly with the right person:

• Centre: Centre President (or equivalent), Centre Support Worker (CSW)
• Regional: Regional role responsible for Centre Support (i.e. CSC) OR/
• National: Service Delivery Manager or General Manager

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.

NOTES:
Every situation is different

1. It is important to consider all available information about the child concerned, their home environment, and any significant events before reaching conclusions.
2. Adults at Playcentre hold a unique position, being both teachers and whānau.
3. It is important to acknowledge this could result in a possible conflict of interest with cases of abuse or suspected abuse.
4. Regulation 56 of the Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008 require that where we have reasonable grounds to believe a person has physically ill-treated, abused, or committed a crime against children; or in guiding or controlling a child, has subjected the child to solitary confinement, immobilisation, or deprivation of food, drink, warmth, shelter, or protection – then we must ensure that they are kept from coming into contact with tamariki. If the alleged abuser is a Playcentre member, this means 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.
5.  “It is normal to feel uncertain, however it is important that we can recognise when something is wrong, especially when we notice a pattern or several signs that make us concerned” Children’s Action Plan publication “Safer organisations, safer children”

Responding to other concerns as outlined in Children’s Action Plan publication “Safer organisations, safer children”

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.

You can make referrals for learning support by either

emailing [email protected] or calling 0800 622 222 (NZ only).

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

1. 1. Date, time and communication method and name of person providing notification.
   2. Advice
   3. Next steps
   4. Any action
   5. Any other information that may be

Relevant information can inform any future actions.

Person raising concern and Centre Support Coordinator (CSC) or Regional Manager (RM)

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;

1. Is it required to be raised with Oranga Tamariki or the Police?
2. What are the next steps required?
3. If not a child protection issue, what other support is required? (See Child Protection RESPONSE Procedures – Responding to other concerns)

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

1. When an employee is suspected, the same processes apply, however Playcentre Aotearoa disciplinary procedures must also be
2. 1. Playcentre management will consult with Oranga Tamariki and/or the Police.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. Disciplinary processes will be followed, such as giving the employee the opportunity to have a support person present, to be given fair notice of any disciplinary meeting, and to be provided with all information that will be relied upon to make a decision in regard to outcomes.

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)

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

Storing relevant information Securely store:

1. The record of the

A  record  of  any  related  discussions  (including  copies  of correspondence, where appropriate).

1. A record of any advice
2. A record of the action taken, including any
3. This concern with any earlier concerns, if the notification is based on an accumulation of concerns (rather than a specific incident).
4. Retain records until the child has left Playcentre for 7 years.

Centre Support Coordinator (CSC)

Or

Regional Manager

Physical signs

e.g., age- inappropriate sexual interest or play, fear of a certain person or place, eating disorders/substance abuse, disengagement/neediness, aggression.