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Child Protection Policy
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Child Protection Policy for............................................................................... We recognise that child protection should not be treated in isolation - we will take on board guidance given by Highland Child Protection Committee and will address recruitment and selection of volunteers and paid employees by doing the following: 1) We accept that it is our responsibility as a group to check that all adults with substantial access to children have been appropriately vetted; See2) We will ensure the every new volunteer or member of staff will complete a Personal Profile Form.3) We will make a request for previous addresses on volunteer/ job application forms;4) We will ask for the names of two referees who will be prepared to provide a written reference;5) We will follow up each reference with a telephone call or personal contact during which we will discuss the applicant’s suitability to work with children. A record of this discussion will be kept in the applicant’s file; See No 106) We will interview prospective volunteers and staff;7) We will note at interview all previous experience of volunteers and staff in working with children;8) We will carry out a probationary period for all volunteers and staff of at least ........months.We believe that every child regardless of age has at all times and in all situations a right to feel safe and protected from any situation or practice that results in a child being physically or psychologically damaged. In our group, if we have suspicions about a child’s physical, sexual or emotional well being, we will take action. All volunteers or staff are encouraged to share concerns with the group’s committee member who has agreed to monitor child protection issues. If the situation is clearly an urgent case, the child is too frightened to go home or we have very serious doubts about the child’s safety, we will contact Social Work Services or Police immediately. If our concerns are more general about a child’s welfare, then we will discuss these with our group’s child protection monitor, who would then make a referral to Social Work who will make the necessary arrangements. It is important that all volunteers and staff communicate concerns accurately. To this end, volunteers and staff will follow the procedures below; 1) Upon the receipt of any information from a child or suspicions, it is necessary to record what they have seen, heard or know accurately at the time the event occurs;2) Share their concerns with the monitor for the group and agree action to take;3) Always REFER never INVESTIGATE any suspicions or allegations about abuse.If we have concerns we must act - it may be the final piece of the jigsaw that is needed to protect that child - or we may prevent further children from being hurt. Area Social Work Office Police Station Out of hours Social Work Emergency Service 08457 697284 Both the local Area Social Work Office and Police Office telephone numbers are to be found in the telephone directory. For ease of reference note them below - |