Aim:
To ensure that all children attending the centre are safe from any form of significant harm and staff are aware of the types and indicators of harm a child may be subject to.
Staff are to be aware of the notification procedures of child abuse.
**ALL STAFF ARE TO ENSURE THAT THEY READ AND ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE “WHO ARE MANDATORY REPORTERS” INFORMATION PAGE (ATTACHED) SOURCED FROM FACS   PH: 132111
 
Explanation:
Risk of significant harm is a wide spread community problem that may occur in any cultural, occupational or socio-economic group.
         
There are eight areas of Risk of Harm:

1. Physical Abuse- You suspect a non-accidental injury or physical harm to a child/young person may have been caused by a parent/carer or other adult household member. You know of treatment of a child/young person by a parent/carer or other adult household member that may have caused or is likely to cause an injury or physical harm.
2. Neglect- You suspect that a parent/carer is not adequately meeting a child's/young person's needs such as: supervision, shelter, medical care, hygiene/clothing, mental health care, schooling/education, nutrition, or other basic needs. A child/young person is a danger to self or others and parents/carers are not supervising or providing care.
3. Sexual Abuse- Sexual abuse is sexual activity or behaviour that is imposed, or is likely to be imposed, on a child/young person by another person. If you are concerned/worried that a child or young person is at risk of sexual abuse or sexually harming another child or young person.
4. Psychological Harm- A child/young person appears to be experiencing psychological/emotional distress and is a danger to self or others as a consequence of parent/carer behaviour. An underage marriage or similar union, where one of both partners is under 18 has occurred.
5. Danger to self or others -A child/young person is demonstrating suicidal or self-harming behaviours. A child/young person is a danger to self or others and the reporter does not know whether the parent/carer behaviours contributed now or in the past.
6. Relinquishing Care- Parent/carer states they will not or cannot continue to provide care for a child under the age of 16 or a young person over 16 and they are unable to make an informed decision (temporarily or permanently). Child/young person is in voluntary care for longer than legislation allows.
7. Carer Concern- A child/young person is significantly affected by carer concerns such as substance abuse, mental health or domestic violence.
8. Unborn Child- You are concerned for the welfare of an unborn child at birth.

 
Implementation:
The following practices are integrated into Daily practices at the centre

• Listen to the children/young person
• Encourage children/young person to identify and discuss feelings in a variety of situations.
• Encourage questioning and decision making skills.
• Don’t make promises you cannot keep.
• Respect the children’s/young person’s decisions and choices – encourage them to respect other children/young people.
• Encourage children/young person to distinguish between situations where they feel safe and unsafe.
• provide an environment where the children/young person know their questions and concerns are listened to
• Provide love, safety, security, trust and respect.

 
Notification procedure:
 All information is confidential. Confidentiality of child/young person and family must be recognised by all staff.

• Do not approach the parents or relatives.
• Keep precise and accurately documented records of indicators. These could include bruising charts, anecdotal records of behavioural patterns, time samples, etc. Always record the date.
• Relay all information to the Approved Provider, where the severity and prevalence of presented behaviours can be discussed in terms of reasonable grounds of notification. The online Mandatory Reporters Guide can be used as a tool to assist in determining reasonable grounds for notification.
• There are two ways mandatory reporters can make a child protection report:

• By eReport through the ChildStory reporter website; http://reporter.childstory.nsw.gov.au/s/
• By calling the Child Protection Helpline on 132111

• Staff have a duty of care to notify Family and Community Services (FACS) if they feel abuse has occurred.
• Retain evidence that action has been taken including a written record of the notification with the time and date.

 
 
Employment Screening for Child Protection

• All staff employed at the Centre responsible for the supervision of children must complete a Working with Children Check, in accordance with the Child Protection (working with children) Act 2012, No 51.
  
• As recommended by the Office of the Children’s Guardian, staff will also be required to have a National Police Check
• Employment screening is mandatory for preferred applicants for child related employment.
• All staff read the Centre Policies and sign to say they will abide them which will provide the children with a safe environment
• All Staff must complete a course in Child Protection.

 
 
 
Reviewed and agreed upon by all Staff July 2020
 
Sourced from Child Protection (working with children) Act, 2012, No 51
                    Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011
                    Tafe NSW: Child Protection Training Module