Child Protection

This policy is being reviewed and we will work with Safeguarding Children to incorporate their feedback on the updated version.

Policy

We are committed to protecting children and young people from harm and abuse. We understand our responsibilities under:

We take concerns about children' safety seriously:

There is a clear process for reporting suspected abuse
New staff are trained to recognise and respond to suspected abuse as part of their induction and orientation.
We ensure all new staff are safety checked before employment is confirmed. Existing children's workers are safety checked every three years.

Q77

Our designated child protection person is the acute clinician on the day. If abuse or neglect is suspected, detected, or disclosed, practice staff have a professional obligation to report any concerns about child wellbeing and safety to the designated child protection person (unless there is a conflict of interest).

AMC well-being team (HIP and Health Coach) can support the clinical team and families/young people of concern with referrals and advice regarding community services, funding and general well-being. Referrals to our team are via tasks and warm handovers on the day.

Under the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 and Family Violence Act 2018, health professionals may proactively disclose patient information to another agency, e.g. police or Oranga Tamariki, if someone's safety is at risk. See also Disclosing Patient Information.

Responding to disclosures or suspected child abuse

For physical and behavioural indicators of physical abuse, sexual abuse, or neglect in children, and adult behaviours that may indicate abuse, refer to Child Matters: How can I tell? Recognising child abuse.

It is not the practice's role to interview the child and family if abuse is suspected. This should be done by Oranga Tamariki and/or police.

1.	Respond to the child or young person	Listen to the child/young person and accept what they say. Reassure them they did the right thing by telling someone. Let them know you will do your best to help. Let them know you need to tell someone else – tell them what you will need to do next.
2.	Document your observations	Write down what they say in their words. Record what you have seen and heard as well – make it clear that it is your inference. Do not: attempt to deal with the situation yourself formally interview the child or young person ask leading questions or push for information promise confidentiality inform the alleged perpetrator or parents/carers/whānau make your own judgement that it doesn't need to be reported to the designated child protection person.
3.	Advise the designated person	Tell the practice's designated person (unless there is a conflict of interest) and decide on next steps. The designated child protection person is the acute clinician on the day.
4.	Notify the appropriate agency	If you have concerns about a child's immediate safety, phone the police on 111. If there is no immediate danger, report your concerns: Contact Oranga Tamariki \| Ministry for Children. Phone 0508 326 459 Email contact@ot.govt.nz (Oranga Tamariki are not currently using an online Report of Concern form.)
5.	Keep accurate records	Record in detail: your concern and how/why it arose. discussions, meetings, and phone calls. advice received from agencies. actions taken.
6.	Child protection lead	Send a task to the child protection lead (category CP). They will: review the process follow up on any reports of concern and report back to referrer organise MDT meetings to review cases and any further actions required prepare a report for clinical governance meetings.

Related Information

Resources

Body Map - Safeguarding Children

Guidance for Sharing Information – Oranga Tamariki

Handling Disclosures of Child Abuse - Child Matters

Information Sharing Provisions – Safeguarding Children

Report of Concern – Safeguarding Children

Page Information

Last reviewed Last review: The date this page last had a comprehensive review by the GPDocs team. See the review schedule.	November 2021
Next review Next review: The date this page will next be reviewed by all GPDocs practices. See the review schedule.	July 2024
Topic type Topic Types There are two topic types: Core content Text outside the yellow highlighting (as shown on the model site) is there for compliance, legislation, or best practice. The text is not normally changed. Core content is continually reviewed and kept up to date. Customised Core content on this page has been changed on request by the practice. Customised topics must be reviewed and updated by the practice because they are not automatically updated by GPDocs.	Core content
Approved By:	Key Contact
Topic ID:	20786

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