Child Protection Policy

Overview

Tigh a'Chomainn Camphill is the home for children, who live in our residential houses and we have children visiting the sites regularly. Child protection issues at Tigh a'Chomainn Camphill are treated with all due seriousness. Child protection involves both management and prevention of any type of abuse such as physical, sexual and emotional abuse as well as neglect. Tigh a'Chomainn Camphill is committed to maintaining a safe environment in which each individual can develop open and trusting relationships which promote self-confidence and growth.

What you need to know and do

The personal dignity of the children living in the community is recognised and upheld by all in Tigh a'Chomainn Camphill. This includes the allocation of personal living space and respect for privacy. Children have the right to feel safe in Tigh a'Chomainn Camphill and to know what to do if they feel their safety is threatened.

Guidance as to what is acceptable in the interaction between the children of co-workers and other people who are not members of their immediate families will be given to all concerned.

There will be a formal procedure for investigating allegations of abuse made by the children living in Tigh a'Chomainn Camphill or visiting children. The appropriate authorities will be informed of any allegations of abuse.

It is every co-worker’s responsibility and within their duty of care to support all parents in protecting their own children within and around Tigh a'Chomainn Camphill’s living and working environments. This is also the case when outings/excursions are taking place.

Tigh a'Chomainn Camphill endeavours to ensure the quality of support and care throughout the Community is not compromised in any way by those visiting the Community, including children. Those visiting the Community, including children, must have gained permission from, or have been invited by, a responsible Community member prior to their visit.

A common sense approach with regard to acceptable expressions of affection between children and adults (other than close family members) and/or fee paying residents is adopted. The effectiveness of this approach is monitored regularly.

A risk assessment of the degree to which residents whose behaviour is challenging or who express their sexuality inappropriately may pose a risk to children will be carried out and steps taken to ensure that children are not exposed to situations where they may be placed at risk.

Procedure for responding to suspected or actual abuse

Co-workers should listen, observe, record and communicate anything which may indicate abuse, initially to short term co-workers

Suspected abuse should be shared with the respective parent or carer at the earliest opportunity, unless any abuse allegations or suspicions are guided towards a parent/carer. In that event or any serious allegation being made against a co-worker or resident, the parent or management group will instigate the immediate involvement of the Social Work Department, rather than entering into any internal enquiry. He/she must first establish that the allegation is maintained and that the alleged misconduct could have occurred.
Any co-worker or resident who is under investigation for a serious allegation will be suspended from work with children and reside in accommodation where no children are resident pending the outcome of investigations.
Any injuries sustained by a child whilst in the care of Tigh a'Chomainn Camphill must be carefully recorded and reported.

In the event of an incident where a child may have been abused or an incident has been witnessed that may be of concern to the child’s well-being, management group and/or vocational co-workers will be delegated and available to discuss any matters or issues that have arisen in relation to the protection of children at Tigh a'Chomainn Camphill.

Drawing on the City of Aberdeen Councils Child Protection Policy, “when incidents are required to be documented and submitted”, it is the responsibility of those that have been involved and/or witnessed the incident to list and describe all that has occurred in relation to the incident.

References

Codes of Practice; Protection of Vulnerable Groups Act 2007; Mental Capacity Act 2005; Protection of Children (Scotland) Act 2003; Protection of Children and Prevention of Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2005; Children & Young People (Scotland) Act 2014