Youth Protection and Child Abuse Prevention Policy

Under section 3A Child Protection Act 1999 any person may report a suspected or known incident of harm or risk of harm to a child/ren to the Chief Executive, Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women (Child Safety).
 
MultiSkill Centre requires staff to report, if they witness or suspect harm or a risk of harm, or have an incident or risk of harm reported to them. Harm could include phsyical, emotional or sexual abuse or neglect.
 
Child Protection Act 1999
Fulfilling a duty of care to children and young people 
 
Fulfill a duty of care to young people includes being aware of and responding to, their physical and mental health needs.
 
As a Mentor you will be:
 
  • conducting risk assessments at intake and as appropriate throughout contact with a young person including daily informal assessments through observing and general questioning
    • Physical – looking for lack of sleep or nutrition, signs of illnesses, level of personal hygiene, pregnancy, signs of self-harm
    • Mental – depression, anxiety, eating issues, general feeling of wellbeing, stability of mood/emotions, changes to behavior/language/reactions
    • Influences of drugs or alcohol
    • Level of alertness and motivation
    • Needs to de-brief about community issues, personal issues, other
  • being alert to signs of distress or harm – ongoing or acute
  • responding appropriately, including immediate response where harm is imminent, or alterations of daily plan or activities if required
  • making referrals to specialist services such as medical services and following up to check that the young person is engaging with the service
 

Training staff specifically supporting youth  and vulnerable young people include:
  • Short informative videos on infopad (http://www.multiskillcentre.com.au/infopad),
  • Directions in this and other policies
  • External training as required and available, such as Youth Mental Health First Aid
  • Position Descriptions 
  • Associated Key Performance Indicators (KPI)  
  • Policy Video and Quizzes 
 
This Information can be found in the RedDoor Youth Protection and Child Abuse Prevention Policy 
 
 
 

Other abusive behaviour towards children and young people 

Staff and volunteers should also be aware of other, perhaps less obvious, forms of abuse or inappropriate behaviour. These may be dismissed by perpetrators as 'just fun' or 'having a laugh' with young people but can have a serious impact and cannot be allowed or go unchallenged:

  • bullying of any form, including name calling or constant criticism
  • picking on a young person because of their family background, manner of dress or physical characteristic
  • racism or sectarianism if any form
  • favouritism and exclusion - all young people should be equally supported and encouraged
  • abusive language or gestures
 
IMPORTANT!
 
Young people are watching and mirroring your behaviour as a mentor. Demonstrate respect to yourself and all others at all times!
 
 
 
 
Non-compliance 
 
Suspected non-compliance, including complaints of non-compliance with this policy will result in the staff member being stood down during investigations. Non-compliance may result in disciplinary action including summary dismissal.
Is physical abuse judged on how bad the injury is or the act itself that causes trauma?
How bad the injury is
The act itself
What do you consider physical abuse to be?
Hitting
Shaking
Throwing
Yelling
Hugging
Burning
Biting
Poisoning
Teasing
Accidentally bumping into someone
What is sexual abuse?
 
select all the correct answers
Kissing or holding a child in a sexual manner
Talking to a child about hygiene
A teen telling you about their girlfriend or boyfriend
Exposing a sexual body part to a child
Talking in a sexually explicit way that is not age or developmentally appropriate
Showing pornographic films, magazines or photographs to a child
A teen telling you about their first date/kiss
What is emotional abuse?
 
select all the correct answers 
Rejection by an authority figure
Exposure of a child to domestic and family violence
Poisoning
Hitting
Hostility
Teasing/bullying
Yelling
Criticism
A teen getting in trouble for hitting their brother
A child getting bullied for wearing cheap clothing
A mother taking away a child's PS4 for not cleaning their room
Telling a child that they’re worthless, unloved or not enough
Neglect occurs when basic necessities of life are not met.
These include (select the correct answers):
Food
Housing
Making sure the child has a PS4/XBOX
Health care
Adequate clothing
Personal hygiene
Hygienic living conditions
Timely provisions of medical treatment
Adequate supervision
Not providing the child with the most fashionable clothing
How do you fulfil duty of care to children and young people?
conduct risk assessments
Ignore them when they have problems
Offer them drugs or alcohol
Be alert
Respond appropriately
Make referrals
Leave them at home on their own
Members of staff and volunteers do not have a duty to report any suspicions, allegations or disclosure of child abuse or unacceptable child protection to the organisation's Director?
True
False
Other, less obvious forms of abuse are:
  • bullying
  • picking on a young person because of their family background, manner of dress or physical characteristics
  • racism or sectarianism
  • favouritism and exclusion
  • abusive language or gestures  
 
True
False
You should always pressure the child or young person to tell you what is going on?
Yes, in doing this it will help to get answers quickly.
No, but you should gently encourage them talk as much as they want to, to you.
Where can you document any observations or concerns about a child or young person?
In a notebook that is left on your desk
On the Daily Mentors Report on Infopad
In a Word doc that is saved on dropbox
I acknowledge that I have read, understand an will abide by the above named policy
Name:
0
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