Effective date: 07/06/2022
To develop and foster a workforce that is representative of the community we serve.
Target audience: All Coast & Country Occupational Therapy Staff, Contractors, Students and Clients
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to:
- Provide a clear statement to CCOT personnel on the criminal nature of child abuse and CCOT’s zero tolerance.
- Facilitate the prevention of child abuse within CCOT.
- Clearly demonstrate CCOT’s commitment to the safety and wellbeing of children through a child safe culture.
- Inform all CCOT personnel of their obligations to act ethically towards children and their roles and responsibilities in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children.
- Provide assurance that all cases of suspected abuse are reported and fully investigated.
- Give guidance on the processes and procedures that aim to ensure children’s safety and wellbeing across CCOT.
Policy Role
This policy works in line with the Child Protection Policy. This policy applies to all CCOT personnel and is inclusive of CCOT services delivered offsite.
This policy applies to all CCOT activities.
Statements
CCOT is committed to promoting and protecting the best interests of children supporting a child safe culture. CCOT has zero tolerance for child abuse. Everyone working at CCOT is responsible for the care and protection of children and reporting information about suspected child abuse.
Our commitment to child safety
Coast and Country Occupational Therapy Pty Ltd is committed to child safety. We want children to be safe, happy and empowered. We support and respect all children as well as our staff. We are committed to the safety, participation and empowerment of all children. We have zero tolerance of any form of child abuse including, physical violence, sexual offences, emotional or psychological abuse or neglect.
Coast and Country Occupational Therapy is committing to providing a child safe environment where children and young people are safe and feel safe, and their voices are heard about decisions that affect their lives.
Every person involved with Coast and Country Occupational Therapy has a responsibility to understand the important and specific role they play individually and collectively to ensure that the wellbeing and safety of all children and young people is at the forefront of all they do and the delivery of service.
In its planning, decision-making and operations, Coast and Country Occupational Therapy will:
- Take a preventative, proactive and participatory approach to child safety;
- Value and empower children to participate in decisions that affect their lives;
- Foster a culture of openness that supports all persons to safely disclose risks of harm to children
- Respect diversity in cultures and child rearing practices while keeping child safety paramount;
- Provide written guidance on appropriate conduct and behaviour towards children through the use of our policies and procedures.
- Engage only the most suitable people to work with the children and have high quality professional development
- Ensure children know who to talk with if they are worried or are feeling unsafe, and that they are comfortable and encouraged to raise such issues;
- Encourage children and young people to complete feedback forms or complaint forms that are age appropriate;
- Report suspect abuse, neglect or mistreatment promptly to the appropriate authorities and if unsure will use the MRG decision tree to help with the reporting process.
- Value the input of communicate regularly with families and carers.
Responsibilities
CCOT is responsible for ensuring all staff receive training to ensure they understand their responsibilities in relation to child safety. CCOT complete child safe training during their induction. The training includes indicators of child abuse and how to respond to disclosures and report child abuse including policies and procedures.
Staff continue to maintain current knowledge of child safety by completing training every 12-24 months or as directed.
Managers and Leaders
Promote a child safe culture at all times. They ensure:
- Compliance with mandatory training and other service or funding requirements are met
- Compliance and implementation of child safe principles/standards at service/team level to create and maintain child safe services.
- Facilitate and support the reporting of any inappropriate behaviour or suspected abuse.
CCOT Staff
All staff promote a child safe culture. They familiarise themselves with relevant laws, the code of conduct and Ethics, and policies and procedures in relation to child safety and comply with all requirements. This includes direct and indirect interactions with children at CCOT. Staff respond to and report child risk to manager/leader and the relevant authorities and fulful obligations as mandatory reporters.
Breaches of, or failure to comply with this Policy or the Code of Conduct and Ethics are investigated and may result in limited duties, suspension, termination of employment or other action including reporting to statutory authorities as required by law.
Related Policies
Code of Conduct
Child protection policy
References
Disability Inclusion Act 2014 (NSW)
