Child Protection Policy

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

This policy outlines the board’s commitment to child protection and recognises the important role and responsibility of all our staff in the protection of children. It includes the board’s expectations when child abuse is reported or suspected by us.

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

The Board has an obligation to ensure the wellbeing of children in our care, so they thrive, belong and achieve. We are committed to the prevention of child abuse and neglect and to the protection of all children. The safety and wellbeing of the child is our top priority. Advice will be sought through appropriate agencies in all cases of suspected or alleged abuse.

In line with the Vulnerable Children’s Act 2017, any person 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 Taranaki Golf procedures and may also report the matter to a social worker or the local police.

Although ultimate accountability sits with the board, the board delegates responsibility to the CEO to ensure that all child safety procedures are implemented and available to all staff, contractors, volunteers and parents.

Therefore, the CEO must:

1. Develop appropriate procedures to meet child safety requirements as required and appropriate to the school
2. Comply with relevant legislative requirements and responsibilities
3. Make this policy available on the Taranaki Golf’s web site or available on request
4. Ensure that every contract, or funding arrangement, that the Taranaki Golf enters into requires the adoption of child protection policies where required
5. Ensure the interests and protection of the child are paramount in all circumstances
6. Recognise the rights of family/whanau to participate in the decision-making about their children
7. Ensure that all staff are able to identify the signs and symptoms of potential abuse and neglect, deal with disclosures by children and allegations against staff members or volunteers and are able to take appropriate action in response
8. Support all staff to work in accordance with this policy, to work with partner agencies and organisations to ensure child protection policies are understood and implemented
9. Promote a culture where staff and volunteers feel confident, they can constructively challenge poor practice or raise issues of concern without fear of reprisal
10. Consult, discuss and share relevant information, in line with our commitment to confidentiality and information sharing protocols, in a timely way regarding any concerns about an individual child with the designated person
11. Make available professional development, resources and/or advice to ensure all staff can carry out their roles in terms of this policy
12. Ensure that this policy forms part of the initial staff induction programme for each staff member

Related documentation and information

• Vulnerable Children’s Act 2014
• Vulnerable Children’s Amendment Act 2017
• Child Matters website