ST PATRICK'S SCHOOL
POLICY ON CHILD ABUSE
PURPOSE:
Identify and recognize the
types of abuse.
Detail procedures for
dealing with suspected child abuse.
Ensure that staff have a heightened awareness of signs and symptoms of
child abuse.
GUIDELINES:
1 Child abuse has four
principle components:-
a sexual b
physical c emotional d failure to thrive
Definitions of abuse to be
noted:-
a Sexual Abuse; The
involvement of dependent developmentally immature children and young persons in
sexual activities that they do not fully comprehend, to which they are unable
to give informed consent, and which violate social and family taboos. b(i) Physical Injury; Children where physical injury is not
consistent with the account of how it occurred; or where there is definite
knowledge or reasonable suspicion that a person having custody, charge or care
of the child, inflicted or knowingly did not prevent the injury.
b(ii) Physical Neglect; Children who have been persistently or
severely neglected physically, to such an extent that their health and
development are impaired.
C Emotional Abuse; Children
where there is a persistent coldness hostility, or rejection by the parent or
care-giver, to such an extent that the child's behaviour and development are
impaired.
D Failure to Thrive; Children who have been medically diagnosed as
suffering from severe non-organic failure to thrive, for example hair loss,
poor skin tone, circulatory disorders, significant lack of growth.
2 Abuse can be brought to
the attention of the staff by;-
a direct disclosure to staff.
b disclosure to a peer.
c child exhibiting abnormal behaviour/symptoms.
3 Disclosure is to be met in
a sympathetic, non-judgmental, reassuring manner.
4 Staff member who receives
the initial disclosure must record 'verbatim' the child's disclosure -
especially with regard to child's terminology.
Staff should not
question or interview the child just allow them to tell their
story.
5 Under no circumstances should a teacher or the principal examine a child in cases of suspected child abuse.
6 Any person who believes
that any child or young person has been, or is likely to be
harmed(whether
physically, emotionally or sexually), ill treated, abused, neglected, or
deprived must
report the matter to
a social worker or a member of the police.
Staff member may report to Principal or member of the management team any disclosure immediately.
7 If the alleged abuser is a staff member then the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees must be advised forthwith.
8 'Principal and teachers have an
unequivocal responsibility to safeguard the welfare of their pupils'.
9 The school will refer in
confidence, any allegations of abuse to either the police or
10 Principal will liaise with the agency dealing with the situation in order to ensure on-going support for the child.
11 Principal will advise the
Board of Trustees Chairperson of any alleged abuse but not disclose the
child's name.
12 Strict confidentiality must be preserved and the
names of all involved must be disclosed only to
those who need to
know at that time.
13 No staff member should
confront any person who has been accused of the child abuse.
14 The parish priest will be
advised.
REPORTING TO AN OUTSIDE
AGENCY:
The principal is to report
any abuse to the agency best suited.
Notification of abuse
or observation
or disclosure
Staff member to record
verbatim
what is said
Staff member may contact
CYPS Staff member to
report to Notes
of disclosure
or Police Principal
or member of to
be retained
management team.
If not already reported
Principal reports to Police
or CYPS
Principal notifies Principal advises
parents Principal
notifies
Parish Priest in consultation
with BOT
Chairperson
Police / CYPS
Principal liases
with
Police / CYPS
CONCLUSION:
This policy will ensure the
welfare and the best interest of the child will be maintained at all times.
REFERENCES AND RESOURCES:
Children, Young Persons and
their Families Act, 1989
This act gives particular powers
and responsibilities for the care and protection of children to:-
- NZ Childrens and Young Persons Service
- Care and Protection Co-ordinators
- Care and Protection Resource Panels
- Members of the Police
These groups have statutory
powers to 'ensure the child is safe'-
Resources
Department of Education
'Sexual Abuse and the School'
- 'Keeping Ourselves Safe' programme
- NZEI 'Child Abuse'
- NZEI Branch Circular 1985/87 (21.11.85)
- 'Dept. Of Education Handout
1984/48
- Children, Young Persons and Their Families Act 1989
- 'A Child You Know May Need Your Help'
APPROVED:.................
REVISED:...April
2001...........
Reviewed
Reviewed with changes 3 May
2006