Child protection policy
TAMARIKI SCHOOL BOARD OF TRUSTEES
CHILD PROTECTION POLICY
NAG 3
RATIONALE
The Tamariki Board of Trustees has a 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 staff.
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 of Trustees 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 section 15 of the Children, Young Person and Their Families Act, any
person in our school 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 school 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 principal to ensure that all child safety procedures are
implemented and available to all staff, contractors, volunteers and parents.
Therefore, the principal 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 school’s internet site or available on request
4. Ensure that every contract, or funding arrangement, that the school 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 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 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 board or designated person
11.Seek advice as necessary from NZSTA advisors on employment matters and
other relevant agencies where child safety issues arise
12. Make available professional development, resources and/or advice to ensure
all staff can carry out their roles in terms of this policy
13. Ensure that this policy forms part of the initial staff induction programme for
each staff member
Adopted: May 2016
Review Schedule: May 2019
This page was last modified on: 18 Oct 2017 16:36:05
