child protection policy
policy
In this section
5.1 Child Protection Policy
The Richmond Creche and Kindergarten will ensure that the legislation for Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect are followed (refer to Appendices - Children and Young Persons Act 1989, section 64(1), 1994 64(1A)).
5.17.1 Definitions of Abuse
- Physical abuse involves any non-accidental injury to a child by a parent or caregiver. The injury may take the form of bruises, cuts, burns or fractures.
- Sexual abuse occurs when an adult or someone bigger and / or older than the child uses power or authority over the child to involve the child in sexual activity. Physical force is sometimes involved. Child sexual abuse involves a wide range of sexual activity. It may include fondling of the child's genitals, masturbation, oral sex, vaginal or anal penetration by a penis, finger or other object, or exposure of the child to pornography.
- Emotional abuse occurs when a child is repeatedly rejected or frightened by threats. This may involve name-calling, being put down or continual coldness from the parent or caregiver to the extent that it affects the child's physical and emotional growth and development.
Neglect is the failure to provide the child with the basic necessities of life, such as food, clothing, shelter and supervision, to the extent that the child's health and development are at risk.
5.17.2 Child Abuse and Neglect Procedures
- As mandated notifiers under the legislation, Day care staff are responsible for adhering to the following procedures:
- If a staff member suspects that a child may be at risk of abuse or neglect s/he needs to discuss the situation with his/her supervisor and/or the Coordinator immediately. Parents will be informed if deemed appropriate.
- Concerns should be documented and held in confidential records, accessible only to authorised staff and the President of the Committee. Often, it may only be over time that enough information is available to ascertain a clear picture as to whether or not a child is at risk.
- Detailed records should be kept. These should be based on observation and direct comments from the child, which should be recorded verbatim without interpretation;
- Should concerns be of a serious nature, it is the responsibility of the Coordinator in conjunction with the staff to make the report.
- If the child is at immediate risk, Child Protection Services should be notified immediately.
- If a staff member is unhappy with the decision of the supervisor, the President of the Committee should immediately be contacted to mediate the issue. Whilst it is acknowledged that the staff member is entitled to make a notification her/himself, all efforts to reach agreement as to the most appropriate course of action will be exhausted.
If the suspected abuse is not reported the child remains at risk of further abuse or neglect, and subsequently, may be subjected to the risk of permanent harm or possible death. Furthermore, by not notifying, you become, in effect, part of the abuse because you are colluding with the abuser by maintaining the secret therefore, protecting the abuser and not the child. Moreover, you effectively reinforce to the child that no one can or will help them.
N.B: Staff Training and Development in Child Abuse and Neglect
It is the responsibility of the Coordinator of the Centre to ensure that staff receive appropriate and adequate training on a regular basis on child abuse and neglect and the responsibilities of mandatory reporting.
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