Safeguarding Policy

Mangawhai Osteopathy Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy

 

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.

 

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