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Policy: Counseling for Associates working with Children and Vulnerable Groups: Difference between revisions
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Policy: Counseling for Associates working with Children and Vulnerable Groups (view source)
Revision as of 05:15, 26 August 2011
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Future Worlds Center (hereafter “The organization”) | Future Worlds Center (hereafter “The organization”) | ||
The organization is determined to ensure that all necessary steps are taken to protect children and young people from harm. This policy establishes the organization’s position, role and responsibilities and clarifies what is expected from everybody involved in the organization. It clearly highlights the importance placed by the organization in the protection of children and young people. | The organization is determined to ensure that all necessary steps are taken to protect children and young people from harm. This policy establishes the organization’s position, role and responsibilities and clarifies what is expected from everybody involved in the organization. It clearly highlights the importance placed by the organization in the protection of children and young people. | ||
Every child and young person who participates in the organization’s activities should be able to participate in an enjoyable and safe environment and be protected from harm. This is the responsibility of every adult involved in the organization. The organization recognizes that child abuse can be an emotive subject. It is important to understand the feelings involved and not to allow them to interfere with judgment about any action that needs to be taken. | Every child and young person who participates in the organization’s activities should be able to participate in an enjoyable and safe environment and be protected from harm. This is the responsibility of every adult involved in the organization. The organization recognizes that child abuse can be an emotive subject. It is important to understand the feelings involved and not to allow them to interfere with judgment about any action that needs to be taken. | ||
The organization recognizes its responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children and young people by protecting them from physical, sexual or emotional abuse, neglect and bullying. The organization shall not be held responsible for any physical or psychological injury caused by negligence of the person during the organizations organized events. | The organization recognizes its responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children and young people by protecting them from physical, sexual or emotional abuse, neglect and bullying. The organization shall not be held responsible for any physical or psychological injury caused by negligence of the person during the organizations organized events. | ||
The Children Act 1989 defines a child as anyone who has not reached their 18th birthday. The fact that a child has reached 16 years of age, is living independently or is in further education, is a member of the armed forces, is in hospital, in prison or in a Young Offenders’ Institution does not change his or her status or entitlement to services or protection. | The Children Act 1989 defines a child as anyone who has not reached their 18th birthday. The fact that a child has reached 16 years of age, is living independently or is in further education, is a member of the armed forces, is in hospital, in prison or in a Young Offenders’ Institution does not change his or her status or entitlement to services or protection. | ||
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• All staff (paid/ unpaid) working in the organization have a responsibility to report concerns to (their supervisor/head of their department). | • All staff (paid/ unpaid) working in the organization have a responsibility to report concerns to (their supervisor/head of their department). | ||
While one would expect that the majority of adults seeking to work with children and youth is out of pure care one needs to be aware and cautious of those adults who seek to find themselves closer to youth and children for their own ulterior motives. All concerns regarding individuals’ practice should be reported to your supervisor or head of you department/organization. | While one would expect that the majority of adults seeking to work with children and youth is out of pure care one needs to be aware and cautious of those adults who seek to find themselves closer to youth and children for their own ulterior motives. All concerns regarding individuals’ practice should be reported to your supervisor or head of you department/organization. | ||
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The organization’s staff, associates, and moderators, do not have responsibility or contact with children on a regular basis. However, the organization wishes to have a policy to cover those situations where its members do have contact with children. This contact may be direct, such as a telephone call to the Helpline or indirect, for example through an email report where the child asks for help. | The organization’s staff, associates, and moderators, do not have responsibility or contact with children on a regular basis. However, the organization wishes to have a policy to cover those situations where its members do have contact with children. This contact may be direct, such as a telephone call to the Helpline or indirect, for example through an email report where the child asks for help. | ||
The organization’s staff, associates should never be left on their own with children and will withdraw their services rather than find themselves in this situation. It is the responsibility of the centre to provide an environment where the organization’s staff or representatives can carry out their duties without the likelihood of finding themselves left unsupervised with children. Additionally, staff and associates will have occasional contact with children in schools or on work placements and may be privy to information or situations which give cause for concern. | The organization’s staff, associates should never be left on their own with children and will withdraw their services rather than find themselves in this situation. It is the responsibility of the centre to provide an environment where the organization’s staff or representatives can carry out their duties without the likelihood of finding themselves left unsupervised with children. Additionally, staff and associates will have occasional contact with children in schools or on work placements and may be privy to information or situations which give cause for concern. | ||
• Wherever staff/associates are required to have contact with children, the organization will only recruit or appoint staff who is deemed suitable to work with children, based on the best knowledge of their supervisor. | • Wherever staff/associates are required to have contact with children, the organization will only recruit or appoint staff who is deemed suitable to work with children, based on the best knowledge of their supervisor. | ||
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• Inform the child/ young person what you will do next. | • Inform the child/ young person what you will do next. | ||
• Make a full and written record of what has been said as soon as possible and don’t delay in passing on the information. | • Make a full and written record of what has been said as soon as possible and don’t delay in passing on the information. | ||
The report should include: | The report should include: | ||
