Paparoa Street School
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At Paparoa Street School, we follow appropriate 
wellbeing guidance when responding to ākonga wellbeing concerns.
Our response to ākonga wellbeing concerns aligns with our Child Protection framework. We aim to ensure the safety of our ākonga and focus on the prevention of abuse and neglect, but we also recognise our responsibility to identify and respond to wellbeing concerns. We acknowledge that responding to wellbeing concerns at an early stage can improve health outcomes for our ākonga.
Wellbeing concerns
We recognise that difficult emotions/feelings and stressful life events can increase vulnerability and have a negative impact on wellbeing. Ākonga may disclose a wellbeing issue to kaimahi, or kaimahi may observe indicators that prompt further investigation into ākonga wellbeing. Kaimahi are aware not every ākonga will show signs of struggling, or ask for help if they need support.
Kaimahi responding to ākonga wellbeing concerns are guided by privacy and confidentiality.
Low-risk concerns
Low-risk concerns are wellbeing issues that do not pose immediate harm/danger to an ākonga but still impact their wellbeing and require attention and support. We aim to address concerns as efficiently as possible in order to improve outcomes for our ākonga. We recognise that responding to wellbeing concerns at an early stage can reduce the level of intervention that may be required if the concern becomes more severe.
Kaimahi share low-risk concerns about ākonga wellbeing with the designated child protection person. At Paparoa Street School, this person is the tumuaki. The designated child protection person discusses concerns with relevant kaimahi and/or external agencies as appropriate.
For general low-risk wellbeing concerns, the kura ensures that ākonga receive appropriate support. This may include counselling, mentoring, or learning support at kura, or making an external referral to health and social services (e.g. family/whānau support agency, social workers) if needed. Our support process is targeted to meet individual ākonga needs. We work with the ākonga and others, as appropriate, to create an ākonga support plan to guide our response.
We inform parents/caregivers about ākonga wellbeing concerns in accordance with our Privacy Policy. Information may be shared with other kaimahi and external agencies to support the best interests of ākonga, in compliance with our Sharing Ākonga Personal Information with External Agencies procedures.
We continue to monitor the wellbeing of our ākonga and work collaboratively with ākonga, families, and support services (as appropriate) to provide ongoing support.
High-risk concerns and situations
A high-risk concern or situation is when there appears to be or is an immediate threat of harm/danger to an ākonga or others. When a high-risk concern arises, we respond as quickly and effectively as possible.
Kaimahi share high-risk concerns about ākonga wellbeing with the designated child protection person, who discusses any concerns and intended actions with relevant kaimahi as appropriate. The kura may arrange an intervention as necessary to support the ākonga. If there are any concerns about possible abuse or neglect, we follow the procedures in Abuse Recognition and Reporting.
We aim to prevent emotional distress for our ākonga through our whole-kura approach to wellbeing. However, we recognise that different ākonga have different needs and stress triggers, and that ākonga may become significantly distressed at kura. Ākonga distress signals, behaviours, and ways to self-regulate may differ, and if ākonga become distressed at kura, we respond with de-escalation techniques.
If de-escalation techniques are not working and we are concerned about the wellbeing of the ākonga, we may phone our local crisis assessment team, the police, and/or medical services for support and advice. In crisis situations when someone is at risk of imminent harm, physical restraint may be used by kaiako and authorised kaimahi as a last resort.
For further information about how we respond to specific situations, see the following policies.
Depending on the circumstances, we may notify parents/caregivers and activate our crisis management plan, which may include informing and supporting our kura community.
Ākonga who are regularly distressed or have high needs may need support plans for preventing distress and de-escalating crisis situations at kura. If so, we work with the ākonga, parents/caregivers, and any relevant health professionals to plan and provide this support. Also see Learning Support and Health Support.
Recording wellbeing concerns
We record information about ākonga wellbeing concerns in our school management system. This includes documenting concerns, conversations, incidents, contact with parents/caregivers or external agencies, advice received, actions taken (including rationale), and any follow-up, support, or monitoring plans.
If a wellbeing incident results in an accident, injury, or illness, we follow appropriate recording and reporting processes. See Recording and Reporting Accidents, Injuries, and Illness.
Recording of concerns complies with our Privacy Policy and Kura Records Retention and Disposal procedures.
Support for kaimahi
If dealing with ākonga wellbeing concerns adversely affects kaimahi, they may seek support through kaiārahi matua and an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) if available. Kaimahi may also seek support through other external agencies as needed.
(a phone and chatline for 5–19 year olds to talk about the challenges in their everyday lives) 
