What makes a good child protection policy

Empowering and educating children on their rights, personal safety and steps they can take, if there is a problem. Integrating child protection into all aspects of our organizational strategy, structures and work practices. Preventing abuse Of course, preventing abuse entirely is the ultimate goal for any child-aid organization. The key to our strategy is education: Training children, staff and volunteers on how to identify and prevent child abuse.

Giving children the opportunity to participate in programs that educate them on their rights, personal-safety techniques and steps they can take in case of a problem. Encouraging and supporting children, staff and community members to report cases of abuse. Incorporating child protection information into other CI programs.

In this way, we reach a broader audience and reemphasize the importance of protecting children. Allowing all children and teens the opportunity to participate in programs regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity or religion. CI staff and volunteer training All field staff and volunteers attend mandatory annual trainings on our Child Protection Policy and agency-specific child protection protocols.

CI communications As you read through our web and print materials, you may have already noticed some of the measures we take to protect children. These include: Telling the truth of the story. Forgotten password? Trending NLCF bullying report Payment to former NCVO chief The Knowledge Expert view: Why you need a child protection policy 28 May by Matthew Wilson Save the Children's report on the sexual abuse and exploitation of children by aid workers and similar allegations earlier this year about care homes in Jersey highlight the critical importance of having an effective child protection policy.

A child protection policy. The process Commit adequate resources There is no quick and easy solution. Developing effective child protection policies and procedures often takes up to 12 months of consultation. Explain your approach If you do not prepare the ground and lay the foundations for a child protection policy, it will collapse.

Before developing a policy, ensure that staff and children understand child protection, child abuse and the importance of child protection policies. Then check that the necessary conditions are in place, namely a commitment to a rights-based approach , consultation, ownership, confidentiality, transparency and sensitivity. Involve staff and children Meaningful participation of children and staff will help build trust, ensure the policy is relevant, and build their commitment to it.

A culture of participation can also empower children to report incidents of abuse and hold adults to account. Guidance for organisations and groups about communicating with children and young people online and through social media. Organisations can help prevent radicalisation. Find out more about why it's a safeguarding concern, what can make children vulnerable and what you can do to help protect them. Browse our list of online and face-to-face training courses to gain the skills you need to help keep children safe from abuse and neglect.

Advice on keeping groups of children and young people safe during activities, events, visits, day trips, outings and overnight stays. Best practice for managing allegations of abuse against someone who works or volunteers with children. Guidance on how to prepare for having difficult conversations with children and young people and what you need to keep in mind when discussing sensitive topics. Discover more about the safeguarding and child protection responsibilities that charity trustees have.

If you work with young volunteers, find out what you need to do to best support them and keep them safe. Explains why some children experience issues with continence or incontinence, what schools and organisations can do to support them and when it might be an indicator of a safeguarding concern.

Search Sign in. On this page Child Safe Standard 2: Guidance for schools in developing their response Preparing for compliance Background Developing the school's Statement of Commitment to child safety Resources Guidance for schools in developing their response This guidance outlines what is required by schools for compliance with Ministerial Order and provides further guidance on developing a school child safety policy.

Preparing for compliance In preparing for compliance schools are expected to: develop a child safety policy. Background The Child Safe Standards apply to all organisations involved in child-related work in Victoria. The Ministerial Order specifies the following requirements for schools regarding Standard 2: The school governing authority must ensure that the school has a child safety policy, including a statement of commitment to child safety that details: the values and principles that will guide the school in developing policies and procedures to create and maintain a child safe school environment The actions the school proposes to take to: demonstrate its commitment to child safety and monitor the school's adherence to its child safety policy support, encourage and enable school staff, parents, and children to understand, identify, discuss and report child safety matters; and support or assist children who disclose child abuse, or are otherwise linked to suspected child abuse support or assist children who disclose child abuse, or are otherwise linked to suspected child abuse.

The school governing authority must inform the school community about the policy or statement, and make the policy or statement publicly available. Developing the school's Statement of Commitment to child safety A Statement of Commitment to child safety describes the values and principles that will guide the school in developing procedures to create and maintain a child safe school environment and protect children from child abuse.

To view an example statement, see: Example Statement of Commitment to child safety The example references the cross-cutting principles for the Standards, in particular, that the school recognises different cohorts of students and their different values and needs.