Intent
Wellstop staff recognise and know how to respond to child abuse and neglect in order to prevent recurrence and escalation of harm. Young people accessing our services have the information they need to access support if they are harmed or are at risk of abuse and neglect. We recognise that safety and wellbeing for tamariki is connected to their whānau wellbeing and reflect this in the way we work with whānau and their support system.
This policy applies to all WellStop staff and contractors.
This policy applies to all WellStop staff and contractors.
Requirements
Principles for practice
- The wellbeing and best interests of children or young persons is paramount
- The wellbeing of a child or young person is integrally tied to the wellbeing of their whānau and support system
- Protection from abuse and neglect is a basic right and WellStop will do its utmost to uphold this right with every child and young person we engage with
- Children and young people have a right to information and to participate in decisions and plans concerning their safety and wellbeing
- All instances of abuse or neglect will be reported to Oranga Tamariki in accordance with our policies - Reporting Concerns to Oranga Tamariki and Community Safety and Wellbeing.
- Families/whānau are included in decision-making about their tamariki where it is safe and meets the best interests of the child or young person.
Staff competency
All clinical staff must be competent in recognising the signs of and responding to child abuse and neglect including physical, sexual and emotional abuse.
Staff must implement the Reporting concerns about child, young person to Oranga Tamariki policy when they have abuse and neglect concerns for a child, young person who is a client.
Unless it is unsafe for a child or young person or for whānau members, staff must engage whānau, and support the wellbeing and healing of the whānau in the context of working with the child, young person.
Staff must implement the Reporting concerns about child, young person to Oranga Tamariki policy when they have abuse and neglect concerns for a child, young person who is a client.
Unless it is unsafe for a child or young person or for whānau members, staff must engage whānau, and support the wellbeing and healing of the whānau in the context of working with the child, young person.
Information
Tamariki must be informed in developmentally appropriate ways at the time of entering our service and throughout their involvement with us about:
- their rights, particularly the right to be safe and what is unacceptable (ie abusive behaviour)
- who they should talk to if they are being harmed or feel fearful
- our best interests of child, young person policy and what it practically means
- our feedback and complaints policy
- support and advocacy services available to them (eg VOYCE if they are a child in care; Commissioner for Children)
- when and why we might notify Oranga Tamariki.
