1. Child Protection Training Package
Module 1
Child Protection overview 1 1

2. Child protection Complex and sensitive issues
Society has increased expectations
Increased awareness of range of abuse and risk situations
significant reform of Child Protection legislation
Initial focus on sexual abuse expanded to include physical abuse, psychological abuse, neglect & domestic violence 2 2

3. Child Protection is a shared responsibility
Parents
Professionals in child-related organisations
Wider community 3 3

4. “Our system of schools in the Diocese of Parramatta seeks to be ……
Our mission ….
“Our system of schools in the Diocese of Parramatta seeks to be ……
inviting,
inclusive and
just …”
Vision Statement 4 4

5. How do we make schools safe?
Counselling
support
Supervision/
duty of care
Adhere to gospel values
Good classroom practice
Professional & personal skills
Good student management
Inviting, inclusive and just
Building positive relationships
OHS
Skilled and responsive leadership
Custom and practice
Child protection legislative reform package
School policies
e.g. Student management
bullying policy
Harassment policy
Pastoral care
Ongoing professional
development 5 5

6. Schools as safe (inviting, inclusive and just) places
Discussion - focus questions
- what about our school makes it safe, inviting, inclusive, just?
- what are our strengths?
- what might we do better? 6 6

7. Prevention of child abuse recognises:
Risk factors
Protective factors
Schools as safe places 7 7

8. Risk factors in the school context
Research identifies several factors in the school that may increase the risk of child abuse:
- bullying
- peer rejection
- poor attachment to school
- inadequate behaviour management
- deviant peer group
- school failure 8 8

9. Protective factors in the school context
Schools can prevent abuse by developing:
- positive school climate
- pro-social peer group
- responsibility and required helpfulness
- sense of belonging/bonding
- opportunities for success/recognition of achievement
- school norms concerning violence 9 9

10. Schools as safe places ….
With appropriate -
polices
practices
site & facilities
our schools can be protective, positive and safe places where children sense they belong and can succeed 10 10

11. Child Protection in our schools
All adults involved in our schools have a responsibility to
- care for
- protect, and
- promote the safety, welfare and well-being of students 11 11

12. 3 levels of prevention of child abuse
Abuse prevention strategies can be allocated to 3 levels (categories) depending on purpose/focus –
Primary
Secondary
Tertiary 12 12

13. Primary level of prevention of child abuse
Targets whole community aiming to stop abuse before it occurs –
School curriculum, e.g., PD/H/PE
School policy and procedures, e.g., bullying, pastoral care, classroom management
Involvement of community, e.g., participation in church or other community groups, access to support services 13 13

14. Secondary level of prevention of child abuse
Seeks to identify and intervene in situations where children are at high risk of abuse –
Programs for children and young people who are at risk, e.g. peer support, Rainbows, counselling, management plan for student with challenging behaviour or special needs 14 14

15. Tertiary level of prevention of child abuse
Targets families, groups and individuals where abuse has occurred and attempts to stop it recurring
Child Protection legislation
Community services
Interagency support 15 15

16. NSW Child Protection legislative reform package
The Acts
Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998
Child Protection (Prohibited Employment) Act 1998
Commission for Children and Young People Act 1998
Ombudsman Act 1974
Child Protection (Offenders Registration) Act 2000
What are the Acts about?
Reporting to DoCS children at risk of harm
Prohibited Employment Declaration
Employment Screening
Investigation allegations against employees
‘registered persons’ not to work in child-related employment 16 16

17. Key agencies involved in Child Protection in NSW
DoCS (NSW Department of Community Services)
CCYP (Commission for Children and Young People)
NSW Ombudsman
CCER (Catholic Commission for Employment Relations)
Child-related organisations (e.g. schools) 17 17

18. Ongoing Child Protection training is important so schools are safe places for: - children and young people, and - employees 18 18

19. This Child Protection training package ….
is one means of practical support for persons working with children and young people
comprises a number of modules covering a range of Child Protection issues 19 19

20. Each module has material sufficient for a 30 – 45 minute session
Module 1- Child Protection overview is essential information for all new employees and volunteers
Schools may choose the most appropriate modules to suit local needs and circumstances 20 20

21. Child Protection Training Package modules
Child Protection overview
Allegations involving employees
Scenarios about allegations against employees
Risk management – potential risky situations in schools
Risk management – managing challenging behaviour situations
Risk management – offsite activities
Risk management – site and facilities
Child Protection Curriculum perspectives
Reporting risk of harm to DoCS
Prohibited Employment Declarations
Employment Screening (currently being updated)
Child Protection briefing for volunteers
Protective Practices for School Staff in their relationships with students