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ST AGNES SURGERY CHILD SAFE POLICYPursuant to the Children’s Protection Act 1993, it is a legislative requirement that this practice has a ‘Code of Conduct’ and a ‘Child Safe Policy’ under which it operates. These requirements reflect the broader community expectations that every child has a right to be safe from harm at all times and that they are cared for in a manner such that their well-being and future potential is protected at all times. St Agnes Surgery, as a provider of health care is subject to mandatory reporting requirements. As such any person who works or is a volunteer in this practice is required by law to notify the Department for Families and Communities should they suspect on reasonable grounds that a child is or has been the subject of abuse or neglect, provided that the suspicion is formed in the course of that persons work. The suspicion must be reported as soon as practicable after it was formed. (max penalty $10,000) It is a legislative requirement that all current and future employees of the practice have had a valid criminal history assessment conducted every 3 years. Contractors or volunteers (and students) who either work with children regularly within the practice or access their medical records are subject to the same requirement. ST AGNES SURGERY : CODE OF CONDUCT IN RELATION TO CHILDREN
Everyone should: - be a positive role model to children in all of their conduct with them. - set clear boundaries about appropriate behaviour between themselves and the children they see. Boundaries enable you to carry out your role well. - follow our organisational policy and guidelines for the safety of children. - where practicable, always have another adult present or in sight when treating or consulting with a child. This is particularly important where an intimate examination is required. - where restraint of a child is required e.g. for an injection or procedure, have a parent or carer provide, or be party to that restraint if at all possible - raise any issues, problems or concerns with management as soon as possible. - record and act on complaints or reasonable suspicion of abuse or neglect – this is a mandatory requirement and guidelines for reporting are included in this folder. - Images of children are to be recorded only for clinical or medico-legal purposes and then only with the consent of a parent or guardian. Should the child be suffering from injuries or suspected neglect which will require mandatory reporting, images may be recorded to support the clinical assessment without such consent. DO NOT - Develop ‘special’ non-professional relationships with children which could be misinterpreted as favouritism or ‘grooming’ e.g. offering special rewards or gifts. This would not however preclude such traditional things as giving a jelly bean or sticker for early childhood immunisation (with parental approval) - Become involved with activities of a personal nature which the child could do themselves e.g. dressing, toileting. - Engage in rough play or ‘horse-play’ ST AGNES SURGERY – CHILD SAFE POLICY Purpose This policy was developed to demonstrate our practice’s commitment to child safety and to maintaining a child safe and child friendly environment. Context This policy reflects our commitment to providing a safe environment where everyone - adult or child - has the right to be treated with respect, is safe and is protected from abuse. This policy
complies with our obligations under the Children’s Protection Act 1993,
including: Scope This policy, from the date of signing, applies to all employees, children, parents and carers, young people, students, volunteers and contractors. Commitment to Child Safety All children who come to St Agnes Surgery or Tea Tree Surgery have a right to feel and be safe. We are committed to the safety and well-being of all children and young people accessing our services and the welfare of the children for whom we provide care will always be our first priority. We aim to provide a child safe and child friendly environment where all children feel valued and safe. Our Practice Manager should be the first point of contact for advice or support to anyone regarding the safety and well-being of children in relation to our practice. This policy was developed in collaboration with our management and staff. Children’s Participation At St Agnes Surgery we encourage children to express their views and encourage them to participate in discussion and decisions that are important or relate to them. We do not tolerate discriminatory practices. We listen to and act on concerns children, their parents or carers raise with us. Recruitment Practices. St Agnes
Surgery takes all reasonable steps to engage the most suitable and appropriate
people to work within the practice and with children – these include: Code of Conduct All of the members of our organisation are aware of and must abide by our Code of Conduct which appears on page 1 of this document. Reporting and responding to suspected child abuse or neglect. As health
care providers, we are required to report suspected child abuse and neglect. Our staff are aware of their obligations to report suspected abuse or neglect and are aware of the procedures to follow. Should a member of our organisation have reasonable suspicion that another member is or has abused or neglected a child, they are obliged to report it to the Practice Manager or Clinical Director. Minimising Risks Complying
with the Code of Conduct and following our procedural policies should help
maintain a child safe environment. Harassment and Bullying St Agnes Surgery opposes all forms of harassment, discrimination, bullying or intimidation. We take this issue seriously and encourage anyone who believes that they have been subjected to such behaviour by another person to raise the issue with the Practice Manager or Clinical Director. Communication All staff
are aware of this policy and have had an opportunity to read it. Policy approved by St Agnes Surgery on 12th May 2011 |
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