Kaimahi Responsibilities for Child Protection
All kaimahi at Paparoa Street School have a responsibility for child protection. We put procedures in place to protect the safety of our ākonga throughout recruitment, training, and safety checking, and ensure current kaimahi are familiar with our Child Protection policy and procedures. We also promote awareness about ākonga welfare to our wider kura community.
Employment safeguards
The Paparoa Street School poari matua is responsible for ensuring all 
children's workers (core and non-core) employed or engaged by the kura are safety checked before their appointment.
It is likely that most people working in kura will meet the criteria of being a children's worker. Under the Children’s Act 2014, children’s workers are either core or non-core workers.
- A core worker is a children's worker whose role involves being the only children’s worker present, or who has primary responsibility or authority over a child or children in their care.
- A non-core worker is a children's worker who is not classified as a core worker. Their work involves contact with a child or children, but with a core worker present.
Children's Act 2014, s 23(1)
Non-kaiako employed by the kura are police vetted if they have unsupervised access to ākonga.
Child protection training
All kaimahi, including any contractors or volunteers, are expected to be familiar with, and implement, our Child Protection policies and procedures. Kaimahi must engage with our Abuse Recognition and Reporting policy every year, and are supported to uphold their responsibility for child protection. We support kaimahi by:
- informing kaimahi about our Child Protection policies as part of their orientation
- having a designated child protection person who is available and accessible to all kaimahi, and has experience and training in responding to child protection concerns (at Paparoa Street School, this person is the tumuaki)
- offering support as required through professional development and performance management programmes
- making it clear that kaimahi should discuss any concerns with the designated child protection person, and no one should act or make decisions alone.
Training is available for kaimahi in child protection development/learning.
Kaimahi responsibilities and conduct expectations
Kaimahi have a professional responsibility to report any concerns about ākonga safety and welfare, particularly in regard to abuse, neglect, or professional misconduct to the designated child protection person. We remind kaimahi not to act alone when responding to ākonga concerns, unless there is immediate danger. If it is in the best interest of the ākonga, kaimahi are encouraged to proactively share information with other people or organisations who may be able to help.
The designated child protection person at Paparoa Street School reviews safety concerns, along with any other relevant information, and decides whether to share information with external agencies, or make a report of concern. Any person who is concerned that a tamaiti is at risk of harm may also make a report of concern directly to Oranga Tamariki or the police. Oranga Tamariki and the police are primarily responsible for any investigation of alleged child abuse.
Anyone who has concerns about the safety of a tamaiti can make a report of concern to Oranga Tamariki. A report of concern is recommended if it is believed that a tamaiti has been or is likely to be harmed, ill-treated, abused, neglected, or deprived. Reports of concern can also be made when there are serious concerns about a child's wellbeing.
Reports of concern can be made by contacting Oranga Tamariki.
Safeguarding Children provides guidance for making an effective report of concern, including details to provide in a report.
When Oranga Tamariki receives a report of concern, they may:
- provide advice about support available to the family/whānau
- refer the matter to other social services, including our social services partners
- complete a child and family assessment and/or investigation.
A joint investigation with the New Zealand Police takes place when there are allegations of harm which meet Oranga Tamariki and the police's joint Police Child Protection Protocol.
We promote a culture where kaimahi feel confident that they can raise concerns without fear of retaliation. See Protected Disclosure.
Contact between kaimahi and ākonga at kura
We treat all ākonga with care and dignity, and ensure our methods of contact and communication support safe relationships between kaimahi and ākonga. We work with kaimahi to create a safe and supportive learning environment and promote positive ākonga behaviour. Unacceptable behaviour, including bullying, is managed through our kura behaviour management strategies.
- When kaimahi are interacting with an ākonga one-to-one, they ensure wherever possible that the space is not closed off from other people.
- Kaiako take particular care with ākonga who express themselves freely and seek close physical contact. When this is a concern, it is discussed with a parent or caregiver.
- Kaimahi are aware that ākonga who require learning support may have particular needs with regards to safety and supervision.
- Corporal punishment is prohibited and kaimahi avoid physical contact with ākonga that could be considered intimate, sexual, threatening, or violent.
- If a kaiako is attacked by an ākonga, they try to protect themselves without causing injury to the ākonga involved, and immediately report this incident to the tumuaki. Physical Restraint is a last resort and may only be used by kaiako and authorised kaimahi to prevent imminent harm.
Out-of-school contact between kaimahi and ākonga
Where possible, we seek to promote physical and emotional safety for our kaimahi and ākonga outside of kura.
- Kaimahi are vigilant about safe and appropriate out-of-school contact with ākonga, including through social media, texting, and emails.
- During education outside the classroom activities and camps, kaimahi ensure safe interactions, sleeping, and travel arrangements for all ākonga, and follow the procedures in EOTC Supervision.
Related policies
Resources
: Term 4 2022, Term 4 2020
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