At Visionwest, we are committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people under 17.

Our Child Protection Policy applies to all staff, contractors, and volunteers. It guides our response to suspected or identified abuse or neglect.

At Visionwest, we foster a culture of child protection based on Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Te Ao Māori principles and ensure cultural sensitivity in our approach to child protection.

Our Commitment

At Visionwest, child safety is a top priority which means we take all matters related to child safety seriously. To ensure this:

• A designated Child Protection Officer (CPO) provides guidance and maintains a confidential Child Protection Register.
• Staff are trained to recognise and respond to signs of abuse and neglect and to work collaboratively with child protection agencies.
• We act on recommendations from statutory agencies like Oranga Tamariki and the New Zealand Police.
• Whānau will be informed about concerns only after consultation with the appropriate agencies.

Staff Responsibilities

Staff are trained to respond appropriately to any matters relating to child safety including:

• All staff must report concerns to their manager or the CPO immediately.
• Managers ensure relevant staff receive training and support.
• The CPO is responsible for notifying authorities and maintaining records.
• Allegations against staff are escalated to the Head of People and Culture and the CPO.

Procedures and Guidelines

The following procedures exist around the Child Protection Policy to ensure it is adhered to:

• Training and Support: Ongoing training ensures staff understand child protection, legal obligations, and working with external agencies.
• Identifying Abuse and Neglect: Staff are trained to recognise physical, emotional, and behavioural signs of abuse and neglect.
• Reporting and Response: If a child is in immediate danger, police are contacted immediately. All concerns must be reported to the service manager and CPO within the working day.
• Confidentiality and Privacy: Information is shared only as necessary, following the Privacy Act 2020 and Oranga Tamariki Act 1989.
• Safe Practice Guidelines: Staff follow strict protocols to ensure child safety, including supervision policies and transportation guidelines.

By adhering to our Child Protection Policy, Visionwest creates a safe environment where children and young people can thrive.

Need more information?

Further details and copies of the policy are available on request, contact our Child Protection Officer.

Child Protection Officer: office@visionwest.org.nz.