1. Purpose

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Speech Tuition Online values its duty of care to protect the children who are impacted by our work (directly or indirectly) and to act in their best interests.  Speech Tuition Online is committed to the protection of children from harm, abuse and exploitation as expected in the United Nations’ Declaration on the Rights of the Child. This policy also takes into consideration best practice and requirements of the Vulnerable Children Act 2014 in keeping with New Zealand legislation. Speech Tuition Online will regularly review our Child Protection Policy and procedures, which are outlined below. 

 

2. Scope

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This policy is intended to apply to all Speech Tuition Online activities. This policy is applicable to all Speech Tuition Online personnel. This policy also extends to Speech Tuition Online partners and associates.

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3. Roles and Responsibilities

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It is the responsibility of the Management Team to ensure that Speech Tuition Online takes every precaution to protect the children and young people we serve and encounter during the course of our work.

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4. Definitions

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Child protection includes prevention of and response to any risk or actual instance of physical, sexual and emotional harm, exploitation or abuse, whether done directly to a child or with communications/technology. 

 

A child is any person under age 18. 

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Child abuse is defined in The Children, Young Persons and their Families Act 1989, as "…the harming (whether physically, emotionally, sexually), ill-treatment, abuse, neglect, or deprivation of any child or young person.” 

 

5. Recruitment

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Recruitment involves the hiring of staff, volunteers, consultants and suppliers in New Zealand and overseas to work for Speech Tuition Online and partners. Speech Tuition Online seeks to minimise child abuse risk through every step of the hiring process by including well-advertised child protection commitments and thorough background vetting systems of potential hires (including the use of police checks for those in regular contact with children).

 

6. Education, training and awareness

 

Speech Tuition Online will ensure all stakeholders are aware of and uphold the Child Protection Policy. Education around the Child Protection Policy will be provided to all staff through inductions and regular trainings, so staff remain informed of current best practice. 

 

7. Interactions with children

 

Speech Tuition Online acknowledges the significance of protecting children while in Speech Tuition Online’s care. Those tasked with guardianship of children while working for Speech Tuition Online will receive child-friendly training, resources and support to effectively and safely accept care.

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Speech Tuition Online will not for any reason publish (for fundraising or promotional purposes) text, photographs or other forms of information that may cause harm to a child or represent a child in an inappropriate or illegal (harmful, abusive or exploitative) manner. Representation of a child in photo or text from Speech Tuition Online data image bank and from other official Speech Tuition Online sources will be consistent with Speech Tuition Online usage guidelines. Please refer to the Speech Tuition Online Consent Guidelines for more information and for Speech Tuition Online approved consent forms. 

 

8. Misconduct

 

Speech Tuition Online will promptly investigate all reported actual or suspected breaches of this policy and, where grounds are found to exist, will take appropriate corrective measures and/or report the matter to the relevant authorities. Speech Tuition Online reserves the right to initiate appropriate action up to and including employment/contractual termination for staff or other representatives, or for volunteers/interns, to sever the volunteer relationship.

 

9. Procedures with Regard to International Programmes and Implementing Partners 

 

Verification of due diligence and risk management on the part of delivery partners. This includes working with our partners to ensure they have developed a child protection policy, providing regular trainings/capacity building for our partners and monitoring their child protection measures through site visits.

 

Programme-level Child Protection Risk Management. As part of the programme design, review and proposal approval process, programmes staff will also conduct a review which highlights the level of risk of child harm, abuse or exploitation.

 

We will clearly articulate our commitments to child protection and ensure those in contact with children are under the management of Speech Tuition Online and closely monitored.

 

10. Incident Reporting 

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It is mandatory for all Speech Tuition Online personnel and associates to report any witnessed, suspected or alleged incidents of child abuse or any breach of the CPP and/or COC. These concerns may relate to a child or a staff member involved in the organisation or a concern about a child or person/s outside of the organisation’s programs. Speech Tuition Online strives towards incident reporting which is child friendly. If you do have a concern you should immediately follow Speech Tuition Online’s child abuse reporting procedures. 

 

Who should report? 

 

All Speech Tuition Online staff and associates including people in the community and partner organisations. 

 

What should be reported? 

 

Any disclosure, concern or allegation from a child, community member, staff or associate regarding the safety, abuse or exploitation of a child (this includes actual, suspected, or risk of abuse or harm to a child) 

 

Any observation or concerning behaviour exhibited by an Speech Tuition Online staff, volunteer or other associate that breaches the Speech Tuition Online Code of Conduct for Working with Children. 

 

When to report? 

 

Child abuse concerns should be raised immediately. 

 

Who to report to? 

 

Overseas: Child abuse reports should be made to the line manager or Country Director. If this is not possible reports can be made directly to the New Zealand-based Child Protection Officer (CPO) 

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In New Zealand: Child abuse reports should be made to the CPO or the CEO. 

 

How should it be reported? 

 

Verbally and by completing the Speech Tuition Online child abuse incident reporting sheet 

 

What will happen next? 

 

The CEO and/or Country Director in consultation the CPO will discuss the allegations and then decide upon the next step. This will involve one or more of the following: 

 

Interviewing the person/persons who made the allegations and/or other witnesses to gather more information with which to make a decision about the allegation; 

 

Reporting to local police and or child protection authority when it is suspected or becomes clear that a crime has been committed, or if require assistance to determine the appropriate course of action; 

• Reporting to local child protection services as necessary 

• Handling the concern internally if it is not a criminal matter 

• No further action taken 

• Providing support to all stakeholders (including reporter) as necessary 

 

All incidents that involve sexual or physical abuse should be raised at the next scheduled Management meeting.  Details regarding the child and the case should be strictly de-identified. 

 

Management Team members would consider the incident report and reflect on whether any change to organisation policy, procedures and protocol is required.