Child Protection 

Gorge Road  School aims to ensure the safety and security of all children by practising open and accountable child-centred decision-making. We recognise the importance of involving family/whānau in decision-making about their children, and will involve children in decision-making about themselves in age-appropriate ways. We acknowledge that child protection is everyone’s responsibility and we promote our child protection policies to our school community.

"Child", in the context of our school's child protection policies, means a child or young person aged under 18 years (who is not married or in a civil union) - Vulnerable Children Act 2014.

We take concerns about the safety of students seriously, and respond to them quickly. Prevention and early intervention is important, and we support the principle of applying the least intrusive intervention possible to protect vulnerable children.

We share information with appropriate agencies if sharing that information will protect or improve the safety, health, or well-being of a child. By law, we can share information with Oranga Tamariki, and the police.

Schools are subject to the Vulnerable Children Act 2014, and must have child protection policies which are readily available. As required by the Act, child protection practices are incorporated into our policies and procedures. Gorge Road School has a designated person responsible for child protection policies. Our designated person is the principal, and is the primary point of contact for concerns about a child, including concerns about abuse or neglect. Our child protection policies apply to school staff, contractors, and volunteers.

Child Protection Policy 

Outcome statement

Students at this school thrive, belong and achieve to the best of their ability. The school is committed to the prevention of child abuse and neglect and to the protection of all children.

Scoping

All staff members (including contractors and volunteers) are expected to be familiar with this policy, its associated procedures and protocols and abide by them.

Advice will be sought through appropriate agencies in all cases of suspected or alleged abuse.

Delegations

Although ultimate accountability sits with the board, the board delegates responsibility to the principal to ensure that all child safety procedures are implemented and available to all staff, contractors, volunteers and parents. This policy also recognises the responsibility of all our staff in the protection of children. 

The board of trustees has an obligation to ensure the well-being of children in their care. In line with section 15 of the Oranga Tamariki Act, 1989 any person in our school who believes that any child or young person has been, or is likely to be, harmed (whether physically, emotionally, or sexually) ill-treated, abused, neglected, or deprived must follow school procedures and may also report the matter to a social worker or the local police.

Expectations and limitations

The principal must:

•        develop appropriate procedures to meet child safety requirements as required and appropriate to the school

•        comply with relevant legislative requirements and responsibilities

•        make this policy available on the school’s internet site or available on request

•        ensure that every contract or funding arrangement that the school enters into requires the adoption of child protection policies where required

•        ensure the interests and protection of the child are paramount in all circumstances

•        recognise the rights of family/whānau to participate in the decision making about their children

•        ensure that all staff are able to identify the signs and symptoms of potential abuse and neglect and deal with disclosures by children and allegations against staff members and are able to take appropriate action in response

•        support all staff to work in accordance with this policy to work with partner agencies and organisations to ensure child protection procedures are understood and implemented

•        promote a culture where staff feel confident they can constructively challenge poor practice or raise issues of concern without fear of reprisal

•        consult, discuss and share relevant information with the board or designated person in line with our commitment to confidentiality and information-sharing protocols in a timely way regarding any concerns about an individual child

•        seek advice as necessary from NZSTA advisers on employment matters and other relevant agencies where child safety issues arise

•        make available professional development, resources and/or advice to ensure all staff can carry out their roles in terms of this policy

•        ensure that this policy forms part of the initial staff induction programme for each staff member.

Procedures/supporting documentation

Definitions

Identification and reporting of child abuse and neglect

•        Four categories of abuse (emotional, physical, sexual and neglect)

•        How to respond to suspected abuse or neglect

•        How to respond to disclosures made by a child

•        Recording a disclosure

•        Reporting suspected child abuse and neglect 

Confidentiality, information sharing and recording 

Safety checking – safety checklist

Staff capability and professional development 

Safe at work practices

•        Physical contact with children

•        Working one on one with children

•        Transporting children

•        Overnight stays/camps

•        Social media and technology (internet protection, photo storage)

•        Parent help

•        Visitors on site

•        External contractors

•        Before and after-school programmes

•        Billeting

•        Socialising with children

•        Gifts and rewards

•        Intimate care – toileting

•        Application of medication and sunscreen

Managing challenging behaviour and physical restraint policy

Allegations against staff 

Legislative compliance

http://www.nzsta.org.nz/– further information including frequently asked questions

http://www.education.govt.nz/

Vulnerable Children Act 2014

Oranga Tamariki Ministry for Children – further information and sample child protection templates

Refer to the NZSTA Reporting Process for Suspected or Disclosed Child Abuse.

Child Protection Procedures:

Staff who are aware of a potential child abuse will report it to the Principal, who will bring it to the attention of Oranga Tamariki or Police. Staff may bypass the Principal at any time if that person is the alleged or suspected abuser. 

Child Abuse

Procedures to follow to help identify children possibly at risk.

• Staff must be sensitive to children so they feel listened to and believed.

• Keeping safe and self worth units will be taught as part of the Health Curriculum to increase children’s’ self efficacy in dealing with uncomfortable situations, and to help raise teachers consciousness of the issues.

• Keeping in mind children’s welfare is paramount. Parents may be consulted about changes in behaviour to try to identify a reason. It may be caused by a change in the family’s home circumstances. 

• Accurate and full records shall be kept of disclosures for the duration of the child’s stay at the school. This information will be forwarded to the child’s next school at the discretion of the principal. 

• Where further investigation is necessary, the principal will contact the appropriate agency, give them the relevant information, and leave it in their hands. It is important to name the child as information may already be held by CYPF

• Whenever an interview is held with a child, a staff member or an appropriate adult whom the child trusts must be present. The welfare of the child must be first priority and should that be compromised the interview will be terminated

Procedures to follow in situations when a child discloses abuse. (See also Protected Disclosure- Employer Responsibilities Policy)

• If the child is in danger or is unsafe, act to secure their immediate safety.

• Listen to the child and reassure them but do not make promises or commitments you cannot keep.

• Ensure that the child has an appropriate person taking responsibility for supporting them. 

• Write down what the child says

• Do not formally interview the child. Obtain only necessary relevant facts if and when clarification is needed.

• Refer to CYPF or police. Await further contact before taking any action. 

Indicators of child abuse are:

1. Physical Neglect – The child is not given proper food, clothing, shelter, medical attention, or supervision to the extent that there is serious risk to health and/or safety of that child.

2. Emotional Neglect – (this is very hard to define and detect). It is often the case that the child is only ever criticised, always told that it is stupid, naughty or the cause of all the family’s problems. 

3. Physical Abuse – Where injuries are not caused by accident

4. Sexual Abuse – This includes all situations where a parent, caregiver or other person involves a child in sexual activity. This can range from touching to penetration or even the death of the victim.

Indicators of sexual abuse in a child are:

• • Physical injury

  • Signs of physical illness possibly related to genital or urinary infections, headaches or upset stomach. 

  • Becomes unusually fussy.

  • Washes frequently.

  • Refuses his/her favourite food; or in an older child may suddenly refuse food.

  • An unusual fear of strangers.

  • Sudden extreme shyness.

  • Lack of enjoyment of favourite pastimes, TV programmes and activities. 

  • Clinging to parents or extreme fear of being left alone.

  • Difficulty going to sleep.

  • Sudden fear of the dark.

  • Nightmares.

  • Bedwetting.

  • Return to earlier forms of behaviour or skills.

  • Changes in school behaviour.

  • Loss of child’s sense of security.

  • Unable to adjust to the normal schedule

  • Showing loss of memory, sometimes appearing preoccupied or troubled.

  • Depression.

  • Advanced sexual behaviour

  • Acting out the sexual abuse with playmates.

  • Suicidal tendencies.

  • Alcohol and drug abuse.

  • Running away.

  • Increased irritability and angry outbursts.

  • Pseudo-maturity, taking over parental responsibilities (usually associated with incest). 

  • Prostitution. 

NZSSTA