CHILD PROTECTION POLICY HS31, HS32, HS33 RATIONALE / INTENT: – To protect children from abuse. Current requirement of Reg46/HS31 and HS32 – ECE regulations 2008 GUIDELINES Key Points Little Scholars Early Learning Centre is committed to the prevention of child abuse and the protection of children. This means that the interests and welfare of the child are the prime considerations when any decision is made about suspected abuse. The centre supports the roles of the Police and the New Zealand Children and Young Persons & Family Service. Staff Training Little Scholars Management is committed to ensuring that staff are familiar with this policy and are aware of how to prevent, recognise and respond to abuse. As part of the induction process, all staff will be asked to read and understand this policy. All permanent staff will be required to complete a Child Protection Workshop at the earliest convenience. Professional Agencies The Management and Staff will be aware of the professional agencies to contact in case of suspected child abuse. Management in consultation with Staff may contact the Public Health Nurse, Parent line, or contact the care and protection division of Oranga Tamariki (ex. CYFS) or The Ministry of Education. In serious cases, the staff may have contact with the Police. Staff should not assume responsibility beyond their level of expertise and should contact a professional agency for support when necessary. The Basic Procedures of Responding to Suspected Child Abuse Staff selection The management will employ staff only after an interview and a thorough check on an applicant’s work history. This will include making contact with referees and previous employers, and include some questions taken from “Vulnerable Children’s Act” resources. These references will be done with the applicants consent. They will be made aware that a contract might not be offered without appropriate references. Applicants will also agree to having a Police Clearance Vet completed prior to commencing work. A response of “NO RESULT” to this vet is deemed appropriate for employment. The managements’ prime consideration when choosing staff is to ensure that they have the skills and attributes which ensures the children’s safety. When employing temporary or casual staff, the applicant’s referees will be contacted prior to employment. All staff including volunteers will be asked to read this policy. Staff supervision Careful consideration has to be taken in the deployment of staff to ensure children are supervised at all times and staff are visible at all times to other staff. When staff are changing children’s nappies, or bathing them other staff should be made aware that they are carrying out these duties. Two staff will be on duty with the children wherever practical. Our centre has an open door policy where parents are welcome into the centre at any time. Except in an emergency, children are not to be taken from the centre without parental approval in writing. Every centre trip (except spontaneous walks- permission for these is provided on enrolment) will require written permission from parents. When children go on an outing the adult to child ratio will be known to parents prior to the outing. If insufficient adults are present on the day, the trip will be cancelled. Rules about touching children The care of children involves physical contact; this is normal, natural and desirable. It is natural to touch them to show affection, to comfort, to reassure them and to give them praise as well as taking care of their physical needs. It is not acceptable to force unwanted affection or touching on a child. Physical contact with children during changing or cleansing must be for the purpose of that task only and be no more than necessary. Parents and visitors are welcomed into the centre, but should not perform care tasks with other people’s children or be alone with them. Exposure to Inappropriate Material – HS32 All practical steps will be taken to ensure children are not exposed to inappropriate/explicit material. Children will only be allowed access to the internet under the close supervision of a teacher, any magazines brought into the centre for use by the child will be checked by teachers for indecent images prior to being given to children. Professionalism The Management will encourage staff to keep their personal and professional lives separate. Staff will be discouraged from having personal relationships with the children and families outside the work environment unless this is approved by management. This includes after hours babysitting. Confidentiality is to be maintained at all times. At least once per year at a staff meeting the child abuse prevention policy will be discussed and performance in meeting the standards outlined will be evaluated. Parent Relationships We encourage parents/extended family/whanau to visit freely and to be involved as much as possible within the centre. If parents have concerns about the treatment of a child they are encouraged to make this known to the Head Teacher and/or management/centre contact person, who will ensure that the matter is investigated and acted upon immediately. Steps are outlined in the complaints procedure. Preventative Education Education of children and parents/whanau is important in the prevention of child abuse. We encourage parents to make use of education programmes organised by people in the community. Exposure to people under the influence – HS33 No person on the premises uses, or is under the influence of, alcohol or any other substance that has a detrimental effect on their functioning or behaviour during the services hours of operation. Reviewed July 2017 Next Review July 2018 
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