Child Protection Policy Flashcards
Who does this policy apply to?
All cases where the child is under the age of 17 at the time of making the complaint.
Define Psychological Abuse
A person psychologically abuses a child if they:
- cause or allow the child to see or hear the physical, sexual or psychological abuse of a person with whom the child has a domestic relationship
OR - put the child at real risk of seeing or hearing that abuse occurring.
Define Neglect
Neglect is the failure to provide a child’s basic physical, emotional or educational needs or to protect a child from harm or potential harm.
Define Serious Child Abuse
Sexual Abuse
Serious Physical Abuse
Serious wilful neglect
Serious family violence where the child is a witness
All allegations against CYF approved caregivers that involve serious child abuse
All allegations against employees of CY and NZ Police that involve serious child abuse.
Define Serious Physical Abuse
The actions of an offender that result in or could potentially result in physical harm or injury being inflicted on a child.
Define Serious Wilful Neglect
This is when a person wilfully ill-treats or neglects a child or wilfully causes or permits the child to be ill-treated in a manner likely to cause the child actual bodily harm, injury to health or any mental disorder or disability.
It includes failure to provide the necessities of life and allowing a child to be exposed to the illicit drug manufacturing process or an environment where volatile, toxic or flammable chemicals have been used or stored for the purpose of manufacturing illicit drugs..
Define Sexual Abuse
An act involving circumstances of indecency with, or sexual violation, of a child or using a child in the making of sexual images.
Determining Seriousness of Physical Abuse: ACTIONS
Blow or kick to the head
Shaking of an infant
Strangulation
Use of an object as a weapon
Attempted Drowning
Determining Seriousness of Physical Abuse: INJURIES
Death
A bone fracture
A burn
Concussion or loss of consciousness
Any injury that requires medical attention
Any bruising or abrasion when the child is very young, i.e. and infant, or the position and patterning make it unlikely to be caused by play or another child or accident.
Determining Seriousness of Physical Abuse: CIRCUMSTANCES
The vulnerability of the child
More than one offender
History of abuse
High degree of violence
Offender Background and History
Location of Incident
Level of concern from the notifier
Powers of Removal
What is Section 42?
Enter, search and remove a child.
Invoked if it is critically necessary to remove a child to prevent injury or death.
“42, you’re in the poo”
Powers of Removal
What is Section 39?
“With a Place of Safety Warrant?”
CYF staff normally obtain a place of safety warrant, although Police may assist with executing the warrant.
Has suffered or is likely to suffer ill-treatment, serious neglect, abuse, serious deprivation or serious harm.
Powers of Removal
What is Section 40?
With a Warrant to Remove
When the court is satisfied a child is in need of care and protection, it may issue a warrant for the child’s removal from any place and for them to be put in CYF care.
