Child protection policy
Child Protection and Vulnerable Adults Policy :Counselling North Canterbury341A Flaxton RoadRangiora, 7400Ph: 027 533 8917Web: www.counsellingnc.co.nzEmail: tim.counsellingnc@gmail.com
All employees and associates at Counselling North Canterbury shall make the safety and protection of children and vulnerable adults their first priority. Definition: Children are defined as young people less than 18 years of age. Vulnerable adults are regarded as those who are elderly and frail, have learning difficulties, have mental health problems or appear less than fully self sufficient. This policy is based on the following principles: • That the welfare of children and vulnerable adults is paramount. • That all children and vulnerable adults have the right to protection from abuse. • That all suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately. All Counselling North Canterbury personnel are obliged to share any concerns about safety as set out in this document and any concerns that a child or vulnerable adult is at risk of serious harm will be reported to the statutory authorities. Counselling North Canterbury Procedure At the outset of any counselling work undertaken, the practitioner will explain confidentiality and disclosure of information to the client. The initial statement will emphasise that if a child or vulnerable adult is at risk of serious harm, the personal safety of child will take priority over all other considerations. Any Counselling North Canterbury practitioner or associate who is made aware that: . a) an individual is an abuser or has been or has been an abuser, or is being abused . b) suspects that an individual is an abuser ,or is being abused . c) is informed that a young person is self harming or is at risk of self- harming or suicide Will ensure that they make a factual record of the statement given, the accusation made or their suspicions and write this information on the Child Protection Record Form. (CPRF) Practitioners must then report this information to Child, Youth and Family within one working day.Any information that causes concern or suspicion about any Counselling North Canterbury personnel must be reported by the person who has this information to the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC).
If following these discussions there is still cause for concern the CD or the Chairperson shall report the person to Social Services and/or the police in order for them to assess the risk and decide on any further action. In addition, if the concern relates to any employee (paid or unpaid) they will proceed in line with Counselling North Canterbury’s disciplinary policy.Where appropriate, a client who has reported information that gives rise to concern that a child or vulnerable adult is being or has been abused by them or by a third party, will normally be given the opportunity with support, to help make the disclosure themselves to the statutory authorities. In the event that child protection issues affect a member of a regulated profession, eg teachers, medical practitioners Counselling North Canterbury must report the allegation to the appropriate authorities. Circumstances may arise whereby Counselling North Canterbury must report to the police without consulting the client. These include but are not limited to the following: • If we are informed by an individual that they or a third party have access to images of child sexual abuse • If we are informed by an individual that they have sexually or physically abused children in the past or present and the person reporting the information is at risk of harming themselves If we are given information first hand by a young person or child that they have been or are being abused, the child protection procedure will be implemented. A young person aged 16 years or over, or a child under 16 years of age who has the capacity to understand and make their own decisions, may give consent to a disclosure. Where a child under 16 does not have the capacity to give consent or where consent is refused, consent should not be sought from parents and parents should not be informed of an allegation of abuse, in view of the unforeseen circumstances which can result from such action. In all situations the person who is holding the information will contact the Senior Supervisor to determine the appropriate action. If a decision has been reached to disclose information, Counselling North Canterbury will normally take the action. However, if the client is receiving counselling within the school setting disclosure will normally be made through the School Child Protection Officer and contact must be made within a working day. If a decision is not made by the child protection officer, Counselling North Canterbury retains the responsibility to do so. In view of the harm caused to children who witness domestic violence and whenever Counselling North Canterbury personnel receive information that causes them concern about a child’s safety they will be aware that there is the possibility that there is a vulnerable parent. Through awareness of the facts the counsellor will be aware of the adult’s vulnerability and that there may also be a child at risk. At Counselling North Canterbury, all personnel having direct or indirect contact with children or vulnerable adults will be checked through a Police Check.It is the Director’s role to establish contact with senior social services staff responsible for child protection within the catchment area. Trustees and management must ensure that all Counselling North Canterbury staff receives induction on child protection policy and procedures. ___________________
All employees and associates at Counselling North Canterbury shall make the safety and protection of children and vulnerable adults their first priority. Definition: Children are defined as young people less than 18 years of age. Vulnerable adults are regarded as those who are elderly and frail, have learning difficulties, have mental health problems or appear less than fully self sufficient. This policy is based on the following principles: • That the welfare of children and vulnerable adults is paramount. • That all children and vulnerable adults have the right to protection from abuse. • That all suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately. All Counselling North Canterbury personnel are obliged to share any concerns about safety as set out in this document and any concerns that a child or vulnerable adult is at risk of serious harm will be reported to the statutory authorities. Counselling North Canterbury Procedure At the outset of any counselling work undertaken, the practitioner will explain confidentiality and disclosure of information to the client. The initial statement will emphasise that if a child or vulnerable adult is at risk of serious harm, the personal safety of child will take priority over all other considerations. Any Counselling North Canterbury practitioner or associate who is made aware that: . a) an individual is an abuser or has been or has been an abuser, or is being abused . b) suspects that an individual is an abuser ,or is being abused . c) is informed that a young person is self harming or is at risk of self- harming or suicide Will ensure that they make a factual record of the statement given, the accusation made or their suspicions and write this information on the Child Protection Record Form. (CPRF) Practitioners must then report this information to Child, Youth and Family within one working day.Any information that causes concern or suspicion about any Counselling North Canterbury personnel must be reported by the person who has this information to the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC).
If following these discussions there is still cause for concern the CD or the Chairperson shall report the person to Social Services and/or the police in order for them to assess the risk and decide on any further action. In addition, if the concern relates to any employee (paid or unpaid) they will proceed in line with Counselling North Canterbury’s disciplinary policy.Where appropriate, a client who has reported information that gives rise to concern that a child or vulnerable adult is being or has been abused by them or by a third party, will normally be given the opportunity with support, to help make the disclosure themselves to the statutory authorities. In the event that child protection issues affect a member of a regulated profession, eg teachers, medical practitioners Counselling North Canterbury must report the allegation to the appropriate authorities. Circumstances may arise whereby Counselling North Canterbury must report to the police without consulting the client. These include but are not limited to the following: • If we are informed by an individual that they or a third party have access to images of child sexual abuse • If we are informed by an individual that they have sexually or physically abused children in the past or present and the person reporting the information is at risk of harming themselves If we are given information first hand by a young person or child that they have been or are being abused, the child protection procedure will be implemented. A young person aged 16 years or over, or a child under 16 years of age who has the capacity to understand and make their own decisions, may give consent to a disclosure. Where a child under 16 does not have the capacity to give consent or where consent is refused, consent should not be sought from parents and parents should not be informed of an allegation of abuse, in view of the unforeseen circumstances which can result from such action. In all situations the person who is holding the information will contact the Senior Supervisor to determine the appropriate action. If a decision has been reached to disclose information, Counselling North Canterbury will normally take the action. However, if the client is receiving counselling within the school setting disclosure will normally be made through the School Child Protection Officer and contact must be made within a working day. If a decision is not made by the child protection officer, Counselling North Canterbury retains the responsibility to do so. In view of the harm caused to children who witness domestic violence and whenever Counselling North Canterbury personnel receive information that causes them concern about a child’s safety they will be aware that there is the possibility that there is a vulnerable parent. Through awareness of the facts the counsellor will be aware of the adult’s vulnerability and that there may also be a child at risk. At Counselling North Canterbury, all personnel having direct or indirect contact with children or vulnerable adults will be checked through a Police Check.It is the Director’s role to establish contact with senior social services staff responsible for child protection within the catchment area. Trustees and management must ensure that all Counselling North Canterbury staff receives induction on child protection policy and procedures. ___________________