CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

Rationale:  To ensure that all staff, parents and whanau have an understanding of Bright Beginnings role in keeping children safe.

DEFINITIONS OF ABUSE:

There are four types of abuse:

Physical Abuse – All physical injuries where there is knowledge or suspicion that, the injury was not acquired accidentally or knowingly not prevented.

Sexual Abuse – The use of children for sexual gratification of someone who takes advantage of their power and/or the children’s trust.

Emotional Abuse – The attitudes and behaviours of adults which severely affect a child’s emotional and physical development.

Neglect – Depriving children of necessities such as food, shelter, supervision appropriate to their age and essential medical and physical care.

BASIC PRINCIPLES

Aim:

• Bright Beginnings is committed to the prevention of child abuse and the protection of children. This commitment means that the interest and welfare of the child will be the prime consideration when any decision is made about a child suspected of being abused. 
• This Centre supports the role of the Police and Child, Youth and Family in the investigation of suspected abuse and will report cases of suspected abuse to these agencies.
• Bright Beginnings is also committed to giving support to families and will establish knowledge of and relationships with agencies and individuals in the community available to support and counsel families.

RESOURCES

Aim:

• To ensure that all staff working for Bright Beginnings have an awareness of and knowledge of child abuse.
• Staff will be required to attend workshops or inservice training courses when they are made available.
• We are committed to maintaining and increasing staff awareness of how to prevent, recognise and respond to child abuse.
• All new staff will be required to familiarise themselves with centre policy about child abuse and encouraged to read resource material available.

RELATIONSHIPS WITH PROFESSIONAL AGENCIES IN ASSESSING AND TREATING CHILD ABUSE 

Aim:

• To maintain knowledge of and where necessary liase with, agencies with the appropriate statutory power and skills to respond effectively to child abuse.
• Bright Beginnings will maintain a good working relationship with the Care and Protection division of the Children and Young Person’s Service and be familiar with laws and regulations which serve to protect children from child abuse. Where necessary we will consult with appropriate agencies. We will not assume responsibility beyond the level of our own expertise.

RESPONSE TO CHILD ABUSE

Aim:

• To ensure that all cases of suspected and established abuse are responded to in a manner that will put the child’s safety and well-being as the prime consideration.
• All observations and communications giving concern for the child’s well-being and/or safety will be accurately recorded, and reported to the Supervisor.
• All confidential information regarding the above will be kept in a locked filing cabinet, and may only be accessed by the supervisor or appropriate professional agency dealing with the situation.
• No staff member will act alone about suspicions of abuse, but will consult with the supervisor who will be committed to taking action and arrange for consultation with appropriate agencies. Where we suspect that child abuse has occurred we are committed to reporting the matter to the Police or Child, Youth and Family.
• If we are certain that the suspected abuse has occurred outside of the family or by a person not closely known to the family, we may tell the parents/family before we consult or report. We will ensure that we have the skills, help and support to present the information to the parents.
• Where we suspect that the child abuse has been perpetrated by a family member or someone close to the family we will go directly to the appropriate agency, but will ensure that they are informed by the appropriate person at the appropriate time.
• Where we suspect that the child abuse has been perpetrated by a staff member or other person assisting at the Centre, the matter will be reported promptly to management and statutory authorities. Staff members under suspicion will be suspended while the matter is being investigated and they will be informed of their rights.
• We believe that children, families, staff, and others involved in the investigation of suspected child abuse should have support and we will maintain knowledge of individuals, agencies, and organisations in our community that we can refer them to for support.

EMPLOYMENT

Aim:

• Bright Beginnings employment procedures include a thorough checking of applicants’ work histories, and making contact personally with both referees and some past employers. This will be done with the applicant’s consent.
• No appointments will be made without a carefully planned interview – see policy on Interview Procedures for empolying staff. Police checks of all casual and permanent staff will be carried out before appointment is confirmed.
• Our prime considerations in choosing staff are ensuring that they have skills and attributes which contribute to the children’s safety, and to their healthy physical, emotional, intellectual, and social development.

SUPERVISION OF STAFF AND ACCESS TO CHILDREN

Aim:

• The protection of children from child abuse by staff members and other adults, and to protect adults from unfounded accusations or suspicions of abuse.

Bright Beginnings will ensure that it’s staff are well supervised and visible in the activities they are involved in with the children. This will include always having an open door policy for private spaces where intimate care giving of children is required. Accurate and up to date record keeping of sleep and toileting schedules will be kept. Staff will not take children on walks unless accompanied by another staff member, and children will not be left with one staff member (unless in the case of an emergency).

• Children will not be taken from the Centre without parental approval in writing or by phone in an emergency.
• Touching should never be initiated to gratify the adults needs as part of inappropriate touching.
• It is not appropriate to persist with physical demonstrations of warmth or affection if the child shows that these are not wanted.
• There will be a policy and guidelines for tasks performed by parents/visitors/students/helpers while at the Centre.

PROFESSIONALISM  

Aim:

• To protect children from the possibility of child abuse and staff from suspicion through clearly establishing the boundaries of staff roles and maintaining high standards of staff behaviour and attitudes.
• There will also be clearly defined expectations of adult behaviour with children by any student/visitors/parents at the Centre as mentioned above.
• Bright Beginnings Management expects staff to reflect the Christian principles in our philosophy, showing moral integrity, commitment and adherence to our policies. Any relationships, associations with children/families outside Centre hours must also reflect these principles and not undermine the Centre in any way.
• Management and staff will review and evaluate our child abuse policies on a regular basis.

RELATIONSHIPS WITH PARENTS AND WHANAU

Aim:

• To provide protection of children from child abuse through establishing and maintaining parent involvement in Centre activities and responding to their concerns in a sensitive way.
• Bright Beginnings encourages parents/whanau to come and go freely to the Centre and to be involved in our programme and Centre activities as much as they are able to be.
• Our child abuse prevention policies will be made available to all enrolling and prospective parents. Parents will be encouraged to discuss any concerns regarding their child and the treatment of their child with the Supervisor, who will take appropriate action if necessary.

PREVENTATIVE EDUCATION FOR PARENTS AND CHILDREN 

Aim:

• The protection of children from child abuse through education of parents and children.
• Bright Beginnings recognises the importance of education in the preventation of child abuse.
• Workshops/parent education sessions may be provided by the Centre.
• Staff will encourage parents to make use of education programmes organised by groups in the community.
• Resource information for parents and relevant books for children will be available at the Centre in the parent library.
• Staff training will ensure that staff is comfortable with responding to questions and responses from children.