What are some obligations in a child protection policy?
Agency Obligations to the Child Protection Policy
-
Involving staff in policy development
-
Approval by Board and communicated at staff meetings
-
Involvement & training on the policy
-
Linking with DCPFS, Police, etc
-
Resourced with policy resources, materials, etc
-
Orientation processes to info about the policy & info about abuse, neglect, etc
Management Obligations to the Child Protection Policy
-
Recruitment of competent staff
-
Screening
-
Induction
-
Training – child protection needs, definitions of abuse, understanding domestic and family violence, handling disclosures, etc.
-
Clinical supervision with a qualified counsellor for staff
-
Quality assurance
-
Ensure staff understand policies and procedures
-
Ensure staff understand reporting requirements
-
Updating and reviewing child protection policies and procedures
-
Implementation of policies and procedures
-
Embedding a culture of child protection (child-focused practice)
-
Sharing information with other services/agencies
-
Communicating with clients, children, young people, parents, carers
-
Appropriate support and communication to DCPFS and families
-
Support staff by management debriefing them on child protection issues
-
Liaising with key stakeholders, internal and external to inform policy
-
MOU development
-
Resourcing – cultural change
Staff Obligations to the Child Protection Policy
-
Report abuse
-
Document the abuse
-
Training – attend and provide to staff
-
Educate – support other staff and help implement the policy
-
Know where the policy and how to access it
-
Read the policy
-
Ensure that the child is the first priority
-
Understand the policy
-
Ask questions if you do not understand
-
Review the policy
-
Provide feedback if you have suggestions or see ways in which children could be better supported
-
Respect confidentiality
-
Abide by the policy
-
Support the child and advocate for them