Child Protection Training Package

1. Child Protection Training Package Module 1 Child Protection overview 1

2. Child protection • Complex and sensitive issues • Society has increased expectations • Increased awareness of range of abuse and risk situations • 1998 - significant reform of Child Protection legislation • Initial focus on sexual abuse expanded to include physical abuse, psychological abuse, neglect & domestic violence 2

3. Child Protection is a shared responsibility • Parents • Professionals in child-related organisations • Wider community 3

4. Our mission …. “Our system of schools in the Diocese of Parramatta seeks to be …… inviting, inclusive and just …” Vision Statement 4

5. How do we make schools safe? Supervision/ duty of care Counselling support Adhere to gospel values Good classroom practice Professional & personal skills Good student management Inviting, inclusive and just Building positive relationships OHS Skilled and responsive leadership Custom and practice Child protection legislative reform package School policies e.g. Student management bullying policy Harassment policy Pastoral care Ongoing professional development 5

6. Schools as safe (inviting, inclusive and just) places • Discussion - focus questions - what about our school makes it safe, inviting, inclusive, just? - what are our strengths? - what might we do better? 6

7. Prevention of child abuse recognises: • Risk factors • Protective factors • Schools as safe places 7

8. Risk factors in the school context • Research identifies several factors in the school that may increase the risk of child abuse: - bullying - peer rejection - poor attachment to school - inadequate behaviour management - deviant peer group - school failure 8

9. Protective factors in the school context • Schools can prevent abuse by developing: - positive school climate - pro-social peer group - responsibility and required helpfulness - sense of belonging/bonding - opportunities for success/recognition of achievement - school norms concerning violence 9

10. Schools as safe places …. With appropriate - • polices • practices • site & facilities our schools can be protective, positive and safe places where children sense they belong and can succeed 10

11. Child Protection in our schools • All adults involved in our schools have a responsibility to - care for - protect, and - promote the safety, welfare and well-being of students 11

12. 3 levels of prevention of child abuse Abuse prevention strategies can be allocated to 3 levels (categories) depending on purpose/focus – • Primary • Secondary • Tertiary 12

13. Primary level of prevention of child abuse Targets whole community aiming to stop abuse before it occurs – • School curriculum, e.g., PD/H/PE • School policy and procedures, e.g., bullying, pastoral care, classroom management • Involvement of community, e.g., participation in church or other community groups, access to support services 13

14. Secondary level of prevention of child abuse Seeks to identify and intervene in situations where children are at high risk of abuse – • Programs for children and young people who are at risk, e.g. peer support, Rainbows, counselling, management plan for student with challenging behaviour or special needs 14

15. Tertiary level of prevention of child abuse Targets families, groups and individuals where abuse has occurred and attempts to stop it recurring • Child Protection legislation • Community services • Interagency support 15

16. The Acts Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 Child Protection (Prohibited Employment) Act 1998 Commission for Children and Young People Act 1998 Ombudsman Act 1974 Child Protection (Offenders Registration) Act 2000 What are the Acts about? Reporting to DoCS children at risk of harm Prohibited Employment Declaration Employment Screening Investigation allegations against employees ‘registered persons’ not to work in child-related employment NSW Child Protection legislative reform package 16

17. Key agencies involved in Child Protection in NSW • DoCS (NSW Department of Community Services) • CCYP (Commission for Children and Young People) • NSW Ombudsman • CCER (Catholic Commission for Employment Relations) • Child-related organisations (e.g. schools) 17

18. Ongoing Child Protection training is important so schools are safe places for:- children and young people, and - employees 18

19. This Child Protection training package …. • is one means of practical support for persons working with children and young people • comprises a number of modules covering a range of Child Protection issues 19

20. Each module has material sufficient for a 30 – 45 minute session • Module 1- Child Protection overview is essential information for all new employees and volunteers • Schools may choose the most appropriate modules to suit local needs and circumstances 20

21. Child Protection Training Package modules • Child Protection overview • Allegations involving employees • Scenarios about allegations against employees • Risk management – potential risky situations in schools • Risk management – managing challenging behaviour situations • Risk management – offsite activities • Risk management – site and facilities • Child Protection Curriculum perspectives • Reporting risk of harm to DoCS • Prohibited Employment Declarations • Employment Screening (currently being updated) • Child Protection briefing for volunteers • Protective Practices for School Staff in their relationships with students