Child Protection

If a child or young person discloses abuse to you (or you suspect abuse), please tell your Programme Coordinator.

These people are specially trained to deal with the management of these situations.

Every member of

should know...

The responsibility for the care and safety of children has major legal and social implications.

Child protection policies and procedures have been developed to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of young people involved in Youthtown’s programmes.

Drop off and pick up

Parents/caregivers are required to sign children in and out of programmes and provide a list of adults authorised to collect their children.

Being alert to harm or abuse

Youthtown and other work

Outside of programme activities with the children or young people are inadvisable.

Welcoming

Any and all concerns need to be followed through.

Modeling inclusive language

We want everybody who visits to feel welcomed and that they belong. Therefor we acknowledge all the children and young people, parents, caregivers and visitors that attend or visit our programmes.

Protecting your staff

At Youthtown, we have a simple flowchart to follow...

Protecting identities

Use respectful and age appropriate language that includes all programme participants.

Taking, transmitting and storing images of children and young people and/or staff for personal use is not permitted.

Children should not be present when staff use the toilet, bathroom or changing room.

Equal Care

Physical Contact

Share your time with all the children and young people in your care. We don't have favourites at Youthtown.

Keeping work and social life clear

Touching should be kept to a minimum, always done in public view of other staff and meet the needs of the child or young person.

Supervision

Do not involve friends, family members or others in programme.

Staff must be aware of where the children and young people are at all times. Within sight and sound.

Clear boundaries and roles around communication

Visibility and Accountability

Staff should avoid being alone with a child or young person and out of sight of the group.

Children and young people must never be asked to keep secrets for any reason.

Keeping it private

Staff use of personal phones and social networks

Staff will only discuss issues or concerns about any child or young person with the appropriate staff and/or family/caregiviers.

Youthtown is a work environment that requires staff to be professional while refraining from outside personal conversations and activities when working on Youthtown programmes.

Safe Social Networking

Staff will not give out personal phone numbers or social networking contact details to the children and young people and/or their family or care givers.

Healthy choices/lifestyles and socialising

Staff are reminded that Youthtown is a strictly no smoking environment. Staff also need to be free of impairment from alcohol or drugs.

Additional training in child protection for Programme delivery staff

If you work on any of our Youthtown programmes, you will be required to undertake various training modules as you grow in your knowledge of child protection.

All done! Ka pai!

Introduction to child protection at