Click to add Text Saanich Child Protection Policy and Protocols

Goals To prevent child abuse and to protect the children in our care To prevent child abuse and to protect the children in our care To create safe play environments To create safe play environments To attract motivated, high quality staff/volunteers To attract motivated, high quality staff/volunteers To build public confidence in the safety of our programs To build public confidence in the safety of our programs

What do we do? Police Information Checks for all employees, contractors and volunteers Police Information Checks for all employees, contractors and volunteers Diligent screening of applicants’ resumes and references Diligent screening of applicants’ resumes and references Training and support Training and support

Employee Code of Conduct Respect the dignity and spirit of children Respect the dignity and spirit of children Avoid behaviours that could be questioned by others: Avoid behaviours that could be questioned by others: Physical or verbal contact that may be interpreted as sexual Physical or verbal contact that may be interpreted as sexual Being alone in a room or washroom Being alone in a room or washroom Shouting, swearing, teasing Shouting, swearing, teasing Lending or Borrowing money Lending or Borrowing money Talking about drug, alcohol use Talking about drug, alcohol use Do not permit others to exhibit questionable Do not permit others to exhibit questionable behaviour behaviour Treat aggressive actions seriously Treat aggressive actions seriously Dress appropriately Dress appropriately Be appropriately affectionate Be appropriately affectionate NB Detailed protocols in sections 3-10 of the manual should be reviewed by appropriate staff.

Recognizing the Signs of Abuse and Neglect Emotional Sexual Physical Neglect

Physical Indicators Bruises Bruises Welts Welts Scars Scars Burns Burns Unexplained fractures Unexplained fractures Inappropriate Clothing Inappropriate Clothing Difficulty walking/sitting Difficulty walking/sitting Pain in genital area Pain in genital area Poor hygiene Poor hygiene

Behavioural Indicators Anxiety Anxiety Depression Depression Withdrawal Withdrawal Self-destructive Self-destructive Aggressive Aggressive Listlessness/fatigue Listlessness/fatigue Fear of contact/going home Fear of contact/going home Inconsistent explanations Inconsistent explanations Attention-getting behaviours Attention-getting behaviours Unexplained change in behaviour Unexplained change in behaviour Unusual sexual knowledge/language Unusual sexual knowledge/language Parental indifference Parental indifference

Responding to Disclosure Keep the child in a safe environment. Keep the child in a safe environment. Listen calmly and supportively. Try not to ask questions. Listen calmly and supportively. Try not to ask questions. Acknowledge the disclosure. Let them know you are there to help. Acknowledge the disclosure. Let them know you are there to help. Reassure the child that it is not their fault. Emphasize that talking is the right thing to do. Reassure the child that it is not their fault. Emphasize that talking is the right thing to do. Inform the child that you can’t keep this a secret and that it is your responsibility to get help. Inform the child that you can’t keep this a secret and that it is your responsibility to get help. Document exactly what the child said to you, not your interpretation of the disclosure. Document exactly what the child said to you, not your interpretation of the disclosure. Report the disclosure immediately Report the disclosure immediately

Duty to Report Child abuse is a crime under the Criminal Code of Canada. In British Columbia, Section 13 of the Family and Child Services Act outlines that a child is in need of protection if they are or likely to be abused by a parent or by another person and the parent is unwilling or unable to protect the child. In British Columbia, Section 13 of the Family and Child Services Act outlines that a child is in need of protection if they are or likely to be abused by a parent or by another person and the parent is unwilling or unable to protect the child. Section 14 of the Act states that a person who has reason to believe that a child needs protection under Section 13 MUST promptly report the matter. People reporting abuse, unless they know the report is false, are protected by civil immunity and cannot be sued. Anyone not reporting suspected abuse commits an offence. Section 14 of the Act states that a person who has reason to believe that a child needs protection under Section 13 MUST promptly report the matter. People reporting abuse, unless they know the report is false, are protected by civil immunity and cannot be sued. Anyone not reporting suspected abuse commits an offence. The duty to report child abuse is more important than the confidentiality of any profession (except lawyer/client). The duty to report child abuse is more important than the confidentiality of any profession (except lawyer/client).

Reporting Disclosure Immediately discuss the situation in confidence with the first available supervisor. Immediately discuss the situation in confidence with the first available supervisor. You or your supervisor need to make the following determination: Is there a possibility/evidence of a criminal offence (i.e.: physical or sexual abuse), or is the child exposed to inappropriate parenting? You or your supervisor need to make the following determination: Is there a possibility/evidence of a criminal offence (i.e.: physical or sexual abuse), or is the child exposed to inappropriate parenting? If there is an assault in progress call If there is an assault in progress call For suspected criminal abuse call the Saanich Police at For suspected criminal abuse call the Saanich Police at For neglect, inappropriate parenting, call Child Protection at hr hot line at after 4:30 pm and all day Saturday, Sunday and holidays. For neglect, inappropriate parenting, call Child Protection at hr hot line at after 4:30 pm and all day Saturday, Sunday and holidays. Do not contact the parent or guardian. Do not discuss the situation with anyone other than your supervisor or other staff involved in the child’s care. Do not contact the parent or guardian. Do not discuss the situation with anyone other than your supervisor or other staff involved in the child’s care. Complete the post-incident report provided by your supervisor. Complete the post-incident report provided by your supervisor.

Guidelines for staff Show affection in the presence of other staff or public Show affection in the presence of other staff or public Avoid having children climb on you or sit on your lap Avoid having children climb on you or sit on your lap Avoid giving special attention to any single child Avoid giving special attention to any single child Have a second staff member or child assist you if you need to help a child with toileting or changing. Have a second staff member or child assist you if you need to help a child with toileting or changing. Provide 1 st aid in the presence of another staff or child Provide 1 st aid in the presence of another staff or child Follow any custody agreements provided by the parent Follow any custody agreements provided by the parent Do not transport children in your car unless an emergency. Follow Saanich protocol when this is a necessity Do not transport children in your car unless an emergency. Follow Saanich protocol when this is a necessity

Guidelines for Supervisors Be sure that front line and supervisory staff know where the post- incident reporting packages are kept. Be sure that front line and supervisory staff know where the post- incident reporting packages are kept. Protect the identity of the staff who report an alleged abuse. Protect the identity of the staff who report an alleged abuse. Supervise the completion of all reporting forms and keep these documents strictly confidential and locked. Supervise the completion of all reporting forms and keep these documents strictly confidential and locked. Debrief staff and arrange for relief workers and/or counseling for those who request it. Debrief staff and arrange for relief workers and/or counseling for those who request it. Keep staff informed of your actions and any information back from the police or the Ministry. Keep staff informed of your actions and any information back from the police or the Ministry. Forward completed documents to the Centre Manager, Community Services Manager, the Director of Recreation Services, and Risk Management office at the Hall. Forward completed documents to the Centre Manager, Community Services Manager, the Director of Recreation Services, and Risk Management office at the Hall.

Responding to Disclosure of Abuse Where the Abuser is a Staff Member Contact the police and ask how they wish to contact this individual. Contact the police and ask how they wish to contact this individual. Immediately remove the accused person from the position of trust. The Family and Child Services Act allows you to do this. Immediately remove the accused person from the position of trust. The Family and Child Services Act allows you to do this. Reporting protocols for incidents involving staff members are the same as all other incidents involving alleged abuses. Reporting protocols for incidents involving staff members are the same as all other incidents involving alleged abuses. After the employee has spoken to the police, inform him/her that he/she may be suspended with pay during the investigation. After the employee has spoken to the police, inform him/her that he/she may be suspended with pay during the investigation.

Click to add Text Child Protection Policy and Protocols