WIGAN CHILD CONTACT CENTRE
Child Protection Policy
Child Protection Policy
All children have the right to be safe and to be protected at all times. We recognise that child abuse occurs in all social classes, in all cultures and in all faith groups. Confidentiality issues will be overridden by the need to act for the welfare of the child.
Responsibility for a child or children using the Centre rests with their parents and not volunteers. Nevertheless, every volunteer is responsible for:
- preventing the physical, sexual and emotional abuse of children during their time in the Centre;
- listening to concerns expressed by parents or children and advising them how to report any abuse;
- reporting abuse in certain circumstances.
Where there is an allegation of or suspected child abuse the interests and safety of the child(ren) involved must always come first. This means that if there is a conflict of interest between parent and a child, the interests of the child should always be put first.
We will ensure that:
- All volunteers have an understanding of what constitutes child abuse and the procedures that need to be followed to report or prevent it.
- There is a recognised procedure for Child Contact Centre volunteers to report allegations of or suspected child abuse.
- Referrals involving a person convicted of an offence relating to
a) physical or b) sexual abuse
of any child will not be accepted, unless there are exceptional circumstances and appropriate professional advice has been obtained.
- The appointment of volunteers will involve obtaining references from two people who have first hand knowledge of them and Criminal Record checks.
- Volunteers are aware that in most situations parents should accompany children to the toilet. If there has been a request for a volunteer to take a child to the toilet, or there is concern about a parent, s/he should be accompanied by another volunteer. Volunteers should not take children to the toilet on their own.
- There is an easily accessible and ongoing support structure available to volunteers who have to deal with a family where there has been alleged or actual child abuse.
- This policy will be reviewed regularly.
Policy last reviewed - November 2020