Aroha Early Learning Centre:
date: 04.04.10
CHILD ABUSE POLICY:
Purpose:
The Management & Teaching Staff will keep themselves informed about child abuse; it’s indicators & the possible action to be taken where there is reason to believe a child has been abused.
Rational:
Evidence indicates a significant number of young children are victims of some form of suspected abuse- emotional, physical, sexual or neglect.
Our Management/Staff may be in a position to recognise indicators of abuse, or are among those that a young child may turn to for help. The following guidelines are to assist if required to face the task of responding to such situations, and meeting the obligations towards all children in the Centre.
Our Intentions:
The interests & welfare of the child are our prime considerations when any decision is made about suspected abuse. We recognise our responsibility & commitment in the support of the families whose children we care for.
Practices:
Delegated Teaching Staff members will attend appropriate courses/workshops & feedback to other teaching staff so as to remain informed, thus able to be effective when dealing with the prevention of abuse; and have knowledge of services able to help in this area.
Responding to child abuse:
The staff of the Aroha Early Learning Centre will respond by:
- writing down observations, impressions and communications that cause concern, (Centre form to be used)
- teachers who are alerted to indications of possible abuse will seek a colleague’s support/advice for a second opinion,
- when suspected child abuse occurs the person who suspects the abuse can then report to Child, Youth & Family, (C.Y.& F.) &/or the Public Health Nurse who then may refer the case to the police.
- if suspected abuse has occurred within the Centre; staff or parents/whanau will report either to Management or appropriate agencies, where appropriate action will be taken.
- all those who are involved (children, families/whanau, staff and others) will receive appropriate support; a knowledge of the relevant individuals, agencies, and organizations in our community will be maintained.
- at anytime any person may go direct to Child Youth & Family (CYF) or Police with their concerns.
Employment: (refer to Employment Procedure folder)
GUIDELINES FOR THE TEACHING STAFF TO FOLLOW:
Recorded observations should include child’s behaviour, play, physical health as well as any attempts at verbal communication.
Any attempt at verbal communication should be supported by:
Listening without blaming,
Do not add your own interpretations,
Do not ask questions (these may mislead &/or have additions
added that were not there at the beginning)
Do not ask to see any signs on the child’s body,
Talk about what behaviour is not appropriate,
Keep observing & recording as appropriate,
- this sort of thing happens to other children too sometimes,
- do not over react: a child’s initial disclosure of any abuse is a critical moment, he or she will be monitoring every reaction,
- do not panic: if the child judges you unable to handle the situation, he or she may not disclose any more of the story,
- do not criticise: don’t say ” you should have told me sooner” or “why did you let him/her?”
- ensure the child’s immediate safety: try not to alert the alleged abuser,
- seek advise and assistance: the people who are running the feeling safe programme will have an up to date list of support services in your local area,
- find support for yourself: dealing with any abuse is hard, especially when it involves someone you care about; discuss the matter with someone you feel comfortable with, someone you trust, someone who will respect the confidentiality of the situation,
- people should be observing more than one indicator of abuse.