Aussie Childcare Network Forum

the question asks "Create a procedure to respond to a suspected abuse incident"
i spent 2 hours creating this and now i am not even sure if i am on the write track!

The Children and Young Person (Care and Protection) Act 1998 refers to reports being made when there are reasonable grounds to suspect risk of harm to the child or young person. A child or young person is at risk of harm if current concerns exist for the safety, welfare and wellbeing of the child or young person because of the presence of one or more of the following circumstances:
- The child’s or the young persons’ basic physical or psychological needs are not being met or at risk of not being met.
- The parent or other carers have not arranged and are unable or unwilling to arrange for the child or young person to receive necessary medical care.
- Sexually abused or ill-treated.
- The child or young person is living in a household where there have been incidents of domestic violence and, as a consequence, the child or young person is at risk of serious physical or psychological harm.
- A parent or other carer has behaved in such a way towards the child or young person that the child or young person has suffered or is at risk of suffering serious psychological harm.

STEP BY STEP
- abuse is first suspected or disclosed
- respond appropriately to child
- record suspicions or information child disclosed – consult staff, protocols, policies &/or outside agencies
- if concerns still exist report to relevant authorities
- if your suspicion diminishes continue to monitor situation closely in collaboration with other staff

INFORMATION NEEDED FOR A REPORT
-full name, date of birth (or approximate age), address and phone number of the child/ren or young person/people you are concerned about
- full name (including any known aliases), approximate age, address and phone number of the parents or carers
- a description of the child or young person and their current whereabouts
- why you suspect the child or young person is at risk of significant harm (what you have seen, heard or been told)
- whether a language or sign interpreter may be required, whether support is required for a person with a disability or an Aboriginal agency is involved
- Your name and contact details.

PHYSICAL SIGNS OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT
- Unexplained physical injuries
- Premature loss of teeth
- Verbally reports abuse
- Wary of adult contacts
- Developmental lags
- Appears frightened of carer
- Apprehensive when other children cry
- Wears clothes to cover injuries
- Difficulty in walking or sitting
- Torn, stained or bloody underclothing
- Pain or itching in genital area
- Bruises or bleeding in external genitalia
- Venereal disease (especially in pre-teens)
- Foreign matter in bladder, rectum or urethra
- Recurrent urinary tract infections
- Consistent hunger & poor hygiene.
- Inappropriate dress.
- Chronically unclean
- Unattended physical / medical/dental needs.
- Underweight
- Developmental lags
- Wary of physical contact, especially with an adult
- Bald spots on an infant’s head
- Begging or stealing food
- Extended stays in school
- Early arrival/late departures at school
- Attendance at school infrequent
BEHAVIOURAL SIGNS OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT
- Seeks affection from any adult
- Non-expression of his/her needs
- Non-communicative
- extreme attention-seeking behaviour
- Consistent anger, aggression, hyperactivity
- Behavioural extremes
- Role reversal
- Aggressive, overt sexual behaviour
- Pre-mature knowledge of explicit sexual acts
- Poor peer relationships

RESPONSIBLITIES OF MANDATORY REPORTING
Mandatory reporters have a legal obligation to make a report to child protection if they believe on reasonable grounds that a child is in need of protection. Their responsibilities include and are not limited to:
- to make the report without delay
- to make a report each time you become aware of any further grounds for your belief
- you don’t have to prove that the abuse has occurred
- to report your belief – it is not the responsibility of your boss, supervisor, principal or senior
- to make a report anyway, even in instances where the supervisor of a mandated professional directs them not to make a report, even where they believe that abuse is occurring
- that mandatory reporting requirements take precedence over professional codes of practice where confidentiality or client privilege is claimed
- that a report does not constitute unprofessional conduct or a breach of professional ethics, nor does it subject the person to any liability if made in good faith.

WHERE TO GET HELP
• Child Protection Helpline 13 36 27 (Helpline open 24 hours, 7 days a week).
• Child Abuse Prevention Hotline 1800 688 009

Thank you! the booklet really helped!

You are employed by the government department in your state/ territory that handles family and community matters. You have been asked to review the department’s code of conduct and ethics. Describe what principles the code of conduct and ethics should be based upon (at least 100 words).

Hi need help please

Q ) where can you find information from internally and externally in the workplace about how to deal with suspicion of child abuse?

Give 2 examples each of Internal & external .

sar_p wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 20, 2024 1:10 pm

Hi need help please

Q ) where can you find information from internally and externally in the workplace about how to deal with suspicion of child abuse?

Give 2 examples each of Internal & external . fnaf

The HR department within the workplace may provide internal policies, procedures, and training materials on how to deal with suspicion of child abuse. They may conduct workshops or training sessions to educate employees on recognizing signs of abuse and reporting procedures.