Our Child Protection Statement

Safeguarding Children is committed to ensuring the protection, safety and wellbeing of all children and young people. This is the primary focus of our work and decision making.

Safeguarding Children has zero-tolerance for child abuse and neglect. All allegations, child protection, safety and wellbeing concerns are treated seriously, consistently and rigorously with our policies and procedures. We have legal and moral obligations to contact authorities when concerns of this nature arise.

Safeguarding Children is committed to providing an environment where children and young people are safe, feel safe and their voices are heard about decisions that affect them.

Safeguarding Children is committed to the prevention and early intervention of child abuse and neglect. Safe recruitment procedures for new and existing team members are applied. Team members receive regular training on child protection, safety and wellbeing relevant to the organisation and their role.

Each member of the Safeguarding Children team has a responsibility to understand their role, both individually and collectively, to ensure the protection, safety and wellbeing of children is at the forefront of every action and decision they make in relation to their work. Safeguarding Children recognises that the safety and well being of children and young people is of paramount importance.

All staff employed by Safeguarding Children (including volunteers) will be made familiar with our Safeguarding/child protection policy within 1 week of beginning their role within Safeguarding Children. All staff shall attend initial safeguarding/child protection training offered by Safeguarding Children as soon as a course becomes available, but definitely within 2 months of working for Safeguarding Children.

All staff members (including volunteers, trustees and board members) will be police checked before starting in their roles for Safeguarding Children. A robust recruitment process will be followed which will include references from a current or most recent employer, a past employer and a character reference.

At times Safeguarding Children are faced with disclosures from attendees who have concerns about the safety and welfare of a child or young person whilst attending our seminars either face to face or via email. Safeguarding Children will always endeavour to encourage that person to pass on their concerns about the child or young person to Oranga Tamariki or the Police in the form of a Report of Concern.

Should a situation occur were the informant feels unable to make a Report of Concern to Oranga Tamariki or the Police then Safeguarding Children will not keep that information in confidence if they believe doing so will continue to leave the child or young person in a dangerous or harmful situation.