X Y Z C h i l d c a r e P a g e | 1 Sample: Policy on preventing child abuse: The Management and Staff of XYZ Childcare have a commitment to ensuring that children are safe from abuse at all times. NOTE: This policy refers at all times to physical, verbal, sexual and emotional abuse including neglect. Guidelines: EDUCATION Children: Safety from abuse is part of our education programme. We ensure that children develop respect for their own and others' bodies, minds and spirits. We encourage good self esteem, awareness of body health, and such concepts as "My body belongs to me" and "I have the right to say no." Our educational programme is based on the Amazing ME DVD and a range of books including: Briggs, F. & Hawkins, R. (1997). Child Protection: a guide for teachers and childcare professionals. Australia, NSW: Allen & Unwin. Frederico J. (2008). Some parts are not for sharing. USA, OK: Tate Publishing Hansen D. (2007). Those are my private parts. USA, CA: Empowerment Productions King Z. & King K. (2010). I said No! USA, CA: Boulden Publishing Nelson M. (1987). What’s wrong with bottoms? NZ: Random House Saltz S. & Cravath L. (2005). Amazing you. New York: Puffin Spelman, C. (1997). Your body belongs to you. Chicago: Whitman & Co. Girard, L. (1984). My body is private. Chicago: Whitman & Co. Patterson, S. & Feldman, J. (2004). NoNo the little seal. Australia: St Luke’s Resources. Harris, R. (2006). Let’s talk. UK: Walker Books. Caregivers and Whanau: Books are available on loan. The Head Teacher is available to talk with caregivers about our policy and/or where to get advice and support. Staff: Members of staff are given basic training annually regarding abuse, including recognising signs of abuse and procedures for reporting these. Local community resource people will be invited to provide this. The Staff is given opportunities to attend advanced training courses on child abuse, when available. Preference will be given to senior staff. CHILD SAFETY TEAM A Child Safety Team of 2 staff members is responsible for setting policy and implementing the policy of the Centre. These staff members are given initial training in child abuse and are to attend refresher meetings as they become available, and organised by the Manager. X Y Z C h i l d c a r e P a g e | 2 The Child Safety Team is to include the Head Teacher. The team is to ensure that policy and implementation of policy is culturally sensitive and appropriate. Any member of the team can call a meeting at any time. ADVICE Any member of the Child Safety Team may talk unofficially to any appropriate health professional in confidence before the referral procedures are implemented. CONFIDENTIALITY AND RECORD KEEPING At all stages, confidentiality must be maintained. The child's privacy is to be guarded and sharing of information on history of abuse and discussion of alleged abuse is only to involve those who absolutely need to know. Written record keeping is vital as records may be used later in court. The Head Teacher is responsible for ensuring accurate records are kept. These include: • dates and times of indication of abuse and reporter • observations of child's behaviour or appearance • action taken by staff, including dates of referral to an outside agency. These records are to be kept confidential. ONGOING CARE FOR CHILDREN Ensure the child's immediate safety -‐ do not alert the suspected abuser. • If a child tells of abuse; listen; don't question them. • Say you're glad they told you and you're sorry it happened • Let them know it's not their fault and that you'll help • Do not ask further questions • Do not put words in the child's mouth • Allow them to tell only as much as they want • Continue to support the child • Ignore negative behaviour If a child's behaviour affects other children's health and well being at the Centre, a parent meeting will be called by the Head Teacher to discuss the situation. The final decision of future action will be made by Management and the Child Safety Team, with consideration to the fact that the Head Teacher has the right to exclude any child if his/her behaviour is a danger to others. X Y Z C h i l d c a r e P a g e | 3 REFERRAL Note: "Head Teacher" as used below indicates that person employed as supervisor or that person acting as supervisor in the absence of the Head Teacher. An acting supervisor is responsible for reporting to the Head Teacher at the earliest possible opportunity. It is mandatory that any staff noticing indicators of sexual abuse in a child, report this to the Head Teacher, in private. The Head Teacher then takes the case to the Child Safety Team to discuss appropriate action and referral. Action may first consist of gathering information through observation. The child's parents or legal caregivers are informed immediately by the Head Teacher, of the suspected abuse ONLY IF the child's welfare is not threatened by revealing the details of alleged abuse to the parents or caregivers. If someone in the child's home is suspected of abuse, the referral procedure is used as follows. The agency referred to, then advises the Head Teacher on how to meet the obligation to inform parents and caregivers. The Head Teacher refers the case to Child, Youth and Families service (CYF 0508 FAMILY). The Head Teacher advises Management that a case has been referred. Names are to be kept confidential at all times. If any person suspects that a staff member is abusing a child, it is mandatory that they report it to the Head Teacher. If any person suspects that the Head Teacher is committing the abuse, it is mandatory that they report it to Management. The staff member is advised to seek professional support. The staff member is suspended, on pay, immediately. The matter must be handled within three days. VISITORS TO THE CENTRE The Head Teacher is responsible for ensuring that visitors to the Centre know what touching is deemed appropriate. Inappropriate touching for visitors includes: hugs, kisses, tickling, stroking, sitting child on knee, carrying children, changing children's clothes. Appropriate touching is: holding hands (e.g. taking children inside), helping children in or out of a swing, physical removal from potentially dangerous situations. The Head Teacher arranges with tutors, school teachers etc to inform visiting students of our policy, and speaks personally to the students where possible before any students arrive. Visitors, trainees etc. never toilet or change nappies. This is only done by staff. PREVENTION OF ABUSE IN THE CENTRE • No closed doors on children's toilets. • Toilet/Baby change door to be open at all times when children are in the room. X Y Z C h i l d c a r e P a g e | 4 • Sleeping room and office to have glass windows • Office door to be kept open if a child is present • No child is to be in the garden shed. • No child is to accompany one single staff member on any trip outside the Centre • Trips to any private home or building are only to be undertaken with more than one staff person and one parent must be present. PROTECTION OF STAFF For the protection of staff who, through the course of their work, are caring for children's bodily needs: All details of care given in respect to children's genital areas must be recorded with date, time and action taken, as soon as possible after the event. This includes: washing genitals (toileting sheet), applying medication to genitals (medicine book), inspection of genital areas if soreness, itching or injury is suspected (accident book). Children under two years-‐old have this information recorded on their daily record sheet. Male workers are not to be left alone with children where a situation could arise where allegations of sexual abuse could be substantiated. Additional Resources: Booklets: How can I tell? Published by Child Matters (formerly CPS) 07 838 3370 Childhood Sexual Behaviours. Published by Sexual Abuse Centre 07 348 1555 Sexual Abuse Centre Leaflets: Never do nothing When a child tells Contacts Sexual Abuse Centre (Rotorua) Inc: 07 348 1555 [email protected] www.sexualabuse.org.nz Child, Youth and Families: 0508 FAMILY (0508 326 459) November 2010 X Y Z C h i l d c a r e P a g e | 5 Responding to Child Abuse Disclosure TEACHER · · · · · · · · · · · · · Receives disclosure Under reacts Is emotionally available Listens and reassures the person they did the right thing telling you If immediate danger or safety is an issue, acts with urgency Is observant Lets the child set the pace Does not probe for more detail but use open responses Uses the same language as child Ensures confidentiality Keeps confidential record of what person disclosed Offers on-‐going support Obtains full support for self from appropriate persons Teacher Informs HEAD TEACHER or LICENSEE (Date etc should be recorded) If parent is the suspected abuser: Licensee informs Child, Youth and Family (or contacts the Sexual Abuse Centre If parent is not the suspected abuser: Licensee informs PARENTS / CAREGIVERS CYF: 0508 FAMILY (0508 326 459) Sexual Abuse Centre: 07 348 1555 Note: Child, Youth and Family or the Sexual Abuse Centre are available for support and advice