Child Protection Policy
Child protection is an issue that affects everyone in youth work.
We have a duty to protect children from harm or risk of being harmed.
This means a lot more that getting a disclosure check.
Policy
Every youth project should have a comprehensive child protection policy. This policy should be followed at all times to ensure the best protection of young people while attending a youth project.
Within this policy, it should make clear how your group will follow the legislation laid down by the Protecton of Children Scotland Act 2003 (POCSA), how your group can protect young people from harm and what to do if you witness, suspect or are disclosed to an issue of child abuse whether emotional, physical, mental or sexual.
For a sample policy click here
Sample policy is taking from POSCA training pack for voluntary
organisations
Procedure
If a youth worker suspects child abuse whether by someone in the group or outwith then they should report this to the child protection officer. They then contact the local social services agencies.
The child protection officer is a person within your group who is responsible for child protection issues. They should make sure everyone within the organisation knows and follows the child protection policy as well as dealing with reporting incidents to social services and Scottish Executive in accordance with POCSA 2003.
Child protection officer organises disclosure checks. It should also mention in your child protection policy how the group orperates it disclosure checks and make reference to their recruitment and selection of workers paid and unpaid.
Click here for sample
procedure document
Procedure document is taken from POSCA training pack for voluntary organisations
You can find more information in the Youth Scotland 'Safe and Sound' pack or visit www.crbs.org.uk for more information on registering with them.