Pure Dental Child Protection Policy
Under the Vulnerable Children Act 2014, we are required to have a Child Protection Policy.
Policy summary
This policy outlines our commitment to child protection. It includes our protocols when child abuse is
reported to us or suspected by us. It also includes practice notes on measures to be taken to prevent
child abuse. All staff are expected to be familiar with this policy and to abide by it.
Purpose statement
We have an obligation to ensure the wellbeing of children in our care and 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 when investigating suspected or alleged abuse.
We support the roles of the New Zealand Police (the Police) and Oranga Tamariki in the
investigation of suspected abuse and will report suspected/alleged abuse to these agencies.
We support families/whānau to protect their children.
We provide a safe environment, free from physical, emotional, verbal or sexual abuse.
Policy principles
• The interest and protection of the child is paramount in all actions.
• We recognise the rights of family/whānau to participate in the decision-making about their
children.
• We have a commitment to ensure that all staff are able to identify the signs and symptoms of
potential abuse and neglect and are able to take appropriate action in response.
• We are committed to supporting all staff to work in accordance with this policy, to work with
partner agencies and organisations to ensure child protection policies are consistent and high
quality.
• We will always comply with relevant legislative responsibilities.
• We are committed to share information in a timely way and to discuss any concerns about an
individual child with colleagues or the Person in Charge.
• We are committed to promote a culture where staff feel confident that they can constructively
challenge poor practice or raise issues of concern without fear of reprisal.
Definitions
Child abuse: Includes physical, emotional and sexual abuse as well as neglect which is the direct
consequence of a deliberate act or omission by an adult and which has the potential or effect of
serious harm to the child.
Identifying possible abuse or neglect
To download the Child, Youth and Family ‘Signs of abuse and neglect’ chart go to this website:
For information about identifying child abuse see:
http://www.cyf.govt.nz/documents/aboutus/publications/27713-working-together-3-0-45ppi.pdfU5
Responding to suspected abuse or neglect
To download the ‘Child Abuse Reporting Process’ flowchart go to this website:
All suspicions or observed incidents or reports of incidents should be reported directly to the Person in
Charge as soon as possible, who will immediately take steps to protect the child(ren), record the report and report the concern to Oranga Tamariki.
If there is clear evidence or reasonable cause to believe an instance of child abuse having taken place, the Person in Charge shall notify Oranga Tamariki.
In addition to guiding staff to make referrals of suspected child abuse and neglect to the statutory
agencies (i.e., Oranga Tamariki and the Police), this child protection policy will also help staff to identify and respond to the needs of the many vulnerable children whose wellbeing is of concern.
In many of these cases the involvement of statutory agencies would be inappropriate and potentially
harmful to families/whānau. Throughout New Zealand statutory and non-statutory agencies provide a
network of mutually supportive services and it is important for our organisation to work with these to
respond to the needs of vulnerable children and families/whānau in a manner proportionate to the level of need and risk.
Staff members will discuss suspicions with a senior staff member.
Where appropriate, the person making the allegation will be given a copy of this policy.
Allegations or concerns about staff
When a staff member is suspected, the same processes apply.
If there is a need to pursue an allegation as an employer, consult with Oranga Tamariki or the
Police before advising the person concerned, informing them that they have a right to seek legal
advice and providing them with an opportunity to respond. They should also be informed of their right
to seek support from the relevant union/representative body. It is vital to follow ordinary disciplinary
policies, guided by the employment contract/collective employment contract and relevant statutory
obligations.
We commit not to use ‘settlement agreements’, where these are contrary to a culture of child
protection. Some settlement agreements allow a member of staff to agree to resign provided that no
disciplinary action is taken, and a future reference is agreed. Where the conduct at issue concerned
the safety or wellbeing of a child, use of such agreements is contrary to a culture of child protection.
Confidentiality and information sharing
The Privacy Act 1993 and the Children, Young Persons, and their Families Act 1989 allow information
to be shared to keep children safe when abuse or suspected abuse is reported or investigated. Note
that under sections 15 and 16 of the CYPF Act, any person who believes that a child has been, or is
likely to be, harmed physically, emotionally or sexually or ill-treated, abused, neglected or deprived
may report the matter to Oranga Tamariki or the Police and, provided the report is made in
good faith, no civil, criminal or disciplinary proceedings may be brought against them.
Recruitment and employment (safety checking)
Safety checking will be carried out in accordance with the Vulnerable Children Act 2014. This will
include: a police vet; identity verification; references and an interview. A work history will be sought and
previous employers will be contacted. If there is any suspicion that an applicant might pose a risk to a
child, that applicant will not be employed.
Training, supervision and support
Training, resources and/or advice will be available to ensure that all staff can carry out their roles in
terms of this policy, particularly:
• Understanding child abuse and indicators of child abuse.
• How to reduce the risk of child abuse.
• Understanding and complying with legal obligations in regard to child abuse.
• Working with outside agencies on child abuse issues.
• Planning of environment and supervision to minimise risk.
• Dealing with child/parents/family/whānau.
This policy will be part of the initial staff induction programme.
Related documentation and review
This policy will be reviewed at least every three years.