Safeguarding Policy

Mangawhai Osteopathy Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
Addendum: Neurodiversity Statement (scroll down)

 

Safeguarding Statement

Mangawhai Osteopathy is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. In compliance with the Privacy Act 2020 and the Health Information Privacy Code, we ensure that information is shared appropriately. Consent will be sought where applicable, but information may be shared without consent if it is in the public interest and in line with legal and ethical obligations.

We prioritise the safety and well-being of all patients, and any data shared will be proportionate, relevant, and necessary for safeguarding purposes.

 

  1. Purpose

 

The purpose of this Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy is to establish clear protocols and a framework for our responsibilities and legal duties in relation to the protection and well-being of children and vulnerable individuals. This policy ensures a consistent and effective response to any concerns regarding the welfare of children or young people and supports those in need.

 

This policy:

 

  • Affirms Mangawhai Osteopathy’s commitment to the safety and well-being of all children and young people.
  • Provides clear guidance to staff on the steps to take if they suspect or are aware of any instance of child abuse or neglect.
  • Ensures that any concerns raised are referred to the appropriate authorities.

 

  1. Scope

 

This policy applies to:

 

  • All activities carried out by Mangawhai Osteopathy, whether directly or indirectly related to children and their families/whānau.
  • All employees, volunteers, and contractors at Mangawhai Osteopathy, especially those involved in providing services to children, young persons, and their families/whānau.

 

  1. Policy Statement

 

Mangawhai Osteopathy is committed to the safety, care, and protection of children and young people. We understand that healthcare providers are often in a position to identify and help protect at-risk children. Our commitment includes:

 

  • Providing a child-safe environment.
  • Collaborating with whānau to ensure positive outcomes for their tamariki.
  • Acting in accordance with this policy when dealing with actual or suspected child abuse or neglect.

 

  1. Responsibilities

 

Mangawhai Osteopathy takes responsibility for ensuring that all aspects of the organisation support the protection and well-being of children and young people. We are committed to:

 

  1. Prioritising the safety and well-being of children in all that we do.
  2. Maintaining robust safeguarding and child protection procedures.
  3. Safely recruiting staff and volunteers.
  4. Creating opportunities for our team to:
  • Be trusted points of contact and role models for children and young people.
  • Increase their knowledge, skills, and confidence in safeguarding practices.
  • Serve as trusted child safety contacts.

 

  1. Providing guidance and support on child protection matters as needed.

 

  1. Definitions

 

  • Child/tamariki: Individuals aged 0-14 years.
  • Young person/rangatahi: Individuals aged 15-17 years.
  • Child abuse and neglect: Includes physical, emotional, or sexual harm, ill-treatment, neglect, or deprivation of any child or young person. This includes actual, potential, and suspected abuse.

 

Types of abuse include:

 

  • Physical abuse: Inflicting physical harm, such as unexplained bruises, fractures, or burns.
  • Sexual abuse: Using a child or young person for sexual purposes, including exposing them to adult materials.
  • Emotional abuse: Actions or omissions that impair a child’s psychological, social, or emotional development.
  • Neglect: Failing to provide necessary care, supervision, or attention to a child’s needs.

 

  1. Designated Person for Child Protection

 

Mangawhai Osteopathy will appoint a designated safeguarding lead (DSL) responsible for managing child protection issues. This individual must complete safeguarding and child protection training and will be the primary contact for any concerns about a child’s safety.

 

The DSL’s responsibilities include:

 

  • Addressing any barriers to implementing this policy.
  • Ensuring that this policy is readily available to all staff.
  • Ensuring all staff receive appropriate child protection training.
  • Promoting a culture of safeguarding within the organisation.

 

  1. Confidentiality and Information Sharing

 

Mangawhai Osteopathy respects the confidentiality of all individuals involved in safeguarding matters. Information will be shared only with relevant authorities when necessary to protect a child’s safety, in compliance with the Privacy Act 2020 and the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989.

 

  1. Safe Practice Guidelines

 

Staff MUST:

 

  • Treat all children and young people with respect.
  • Act as ethical role models.
  • Report any concerns or incidents of abuse immediately.
  • Avoid being alone with a child whenever possible.
  • Obtain written consent from a parent or guardian before any physical contact required for treatment.

 

Staff MUST NOT:

 

  • Engage in inappropriate physical, verbal, or social media contact with  children.
  • Dismiss or trivialise any child abuse concerns.
  • Show favouritism towards any individual child.

 

  1. Procedure for Handling Disclosures of Abuse

 

If a child discloses abuse:

 

  1. Listen carefully and provide reassurance.
  2. Record the disclosure as soon as possible, including dates, times, and relevant details.
  3. Report the disclosure immediately to the DSL.
  4. If the child is in immediate danger, contact the Police.

 

  1. Allegations Against Staff

 

Any allegations of misconduct against staff must be reported immediately to the DSL and senior management. The welfare of the child will be prioritised in all decision-making. Depending on the severity of the allegation, the staff member may be subject to additional supervision, duty modification, or temporary removal from their role pending investigation.

 

  1. Safety Checks for Staff

 

Mangawhai Osteopathy will conduct safety checks for all staff working with children, in accordance with the Children’s Act 2014. This includes police vetting, identity verification, and reference checks. Safety checks will be repeated at regular intervals to ensure ongoing compliance.

 

  1. Training and Induction

 

All staff and volunteers at Mangawhai Osteopathy will receive safeguarding and child protection training appropriate to their role as part of their induction. Regular refresher training will be provided to ensure ongoing competence in safeguarding practices.

 

  1. Additional Support

 

Mangawhai Osteopathy encourages staff to seek support when needed, including accessing our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for guidance and counselling.

 

  1. Review and Updates

 

This policy will be reviewed annually or whenever there are significant changes in legislation or organisational practices to ensure it remains current and effective.

NEURODIVERSITY ADDENDUM

Mangawhai Osteopathy Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
Addendum: Neurodiversity and Online Programme Safeguarding

This addendum supplements the Mangawhai Osteopathy Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy and reflects the specific needs of individuals accessing Mangawhai Osteopathy services who are neurodivergent and/or engaging in online consultations, education, or community activities.

Neurodiversity-informed safeguarding

Mangawhai Osteopathy recognises that many individuals presenting with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD), and related conditions may also identify as neurodivergent. This may include, but is not limited to, autism, ADHD, learning differences, sensory processing differences, communication differences, and other neurodevelopmental profiles.

Neurodivergent individuals may experience increased vulnerability within healthcare and educational contexts due to:

• communication differences affecting expression of distress or disclosure
• heightened sensory sensitivity to clinical or virtual environments
• difficulty interpreting social boundaries or expectations
• increased risk of masking or compliance behaviours
• executive function differences impacting help-seeking or reporting concerns
• prior experiences of invalidation or misunderstanding

Mangawhai Osteopathy is committed to neurodiversity-affirming safeguarding practices that prioritise dignity, autonomy, and understanding.

Neurodiversity safeguarding principles

Mangawhai Osteopathy will:
• adopt a strengths-based, neuro-affirming approach
• avoid pathologising neurodivergent communication styles
• provide flexible communication methods where possible
• allow additional processing time during conversations
• check understanding rather than assume comprehension
• support use of support persons, advocates, or communication aids
• recognise that behavioural presentations may reflect unmet needs or distress

Clinicians and staff should remain aware that safeguarding concerns may be expressed indirectly or through behavioural change rather than explicit disclosure.

Communication considerations

When working with neurodivergent individuals, clinicians and staff should:
• use clear, concrete, and predictable communication
• avoid figurative language when discussing safety matters
• provide written follow-up where appropriate
• offer opportunities for disclosure in multiple formats
• monitor for signs of overload, shutdown, or distress
• respect sensory needs within clinical or virtual environments

Online programme safeguarding

Mangawhai Osteopathy delivers services through telehealth consultations, webinars, seminars, group education programmes, and online community interactions. Safeguarding responsibilities extend fully into these environments.

Online safeguarding risks may include:
• breaches of privacy or confidentiality
• inappropriate communication between participants
• blurred professional boundaries
• unmoderated sharing of sensitive personal information
• online harassment or exclusion
• participation from unsupervised minors
• technological barriers affecting access to support

Online safeguarding expectations

Participants engaging in online programmes are expected to:
• respect confidentiality of shared personal experiences
• use respectful and supportive communication
• avoid recording sessions without explicit permission
• refrain from private messaging other participants in ways that may create discomfort or boundary concerns
• notify facilitators if they experience concerns about safety or conduct

Facilitator responsibilities

Mangawhai Osteopathy facilitators will:
• establish clear expectations at programme commencement
• monitor group dynamics and interactions
• intervene where communication becomes unsafe or inappropriate
• provide guidance on privacy and confidentiality
• support inclusive participation
• maintain professional boundaries in all digital communications

Safeguarding minors in online settings

Where children or young people participate in online services:
• parental or guardian awareness and consent will be obtained where appropriate
• clinicians will remain mindful of supervision requirements
• communication will occur through appropriate channels
• any safeguarding concern will follow standard reporting procedures

Confidentiality and privacy in online environments

Mangawhai Osteopathy will utilise secure platforms where possible. Participants will be advised that:
• privacy cannot be fully guaranteed in home environments
• headphones and private spaces are encouraged where feasible
• recording or sharing session content without consent is not permitted

Responding to concerns in online environments

If safeguarding concerns arise during online engagement:
• facilitators will respond promptly and sensitively
• concerns will be documented
• the designated safeguarding lead will be notified
• appropriate referral pathways will be followed

Wellbeing considerations in virtual settings

Facilitators will remain attentive to signs of distress that may be visible online, including withdrawal, shutdown, emotional escalation, or significant change in engagement. Participants will be offered opportunities for follow-up support where appropriate.

Review

This addendum will be reviewed alongside the core Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy to ensure ongoing alignment with best practice in neurodiversity-affirming and digital safeguarding.

 

 

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