Policies

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• Child Abuse Definitions:

  • Physical abuse: Any acts that may result in physical harm to a child or young person.

  • Sexual abuse: Any acts that involve forcing or enticing a child to take part in sexual activities.

  • Emotional abuse: Any act or omission that results in adverse or impaired psychological, social, intellectual, and emotional functioning or development.

  • Neglect: The persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical or psychological needs, leading to adverse or impaired physical or emotional functioning or development.

  • Family violence: May involve physical, sexual, and emotional abuse and may be witnessed/experienced by children.

• Identifying Child Abuse and Neglect:

  • Staff will be trained to recognise signs of potential abuse or neglect, such as physical injuries, developmental delays, emotional distress, and behavioral concerns.

  • Staff members will not reach conclusions but will consult when signs of abuse or neglect are observed.

• Responding to Child Abuse:

  • Any suspicions or disclosures of abuse will be reported promptly to appropriate statutory agencies (Oranga Tamariki or Police).

  • Staff will maintain a confidential register of concerns and actions taken regarding suspected abuse or neglect.

  • Support will be provided to staff members responding to cases of suspected abuse.

• Allegations Against Staff Members:

  • Suspected abuse involving staff members will be reported promptly to Victoria Morrison, CEO & Owner of VM Vocals

  • Children involved will be protected, and appropriate actions will be taken according to employment agreements and statutory guidelines.

• Peer Abuse:

  • Any form of harassment, violence, or abuse among peers will not be tolerated.

  • Children involved will be separated and provided with appropriate support and guidance.

• Child and Staff Safety – Supervision and Conduct Guidelines:

  • Staff will adhere to strict guidelines to minimise the risk of inappropriate conduct and maintain a safe environment for children.

  • An open-door policy, monitoring of visitors, and appropriate physical contact guidelines will be followed.

 

By implementing this Child Safety Code of Conduct, VM Vocals aims to create a safe and nurturing environment where children can thrive and enjoy their vocal training without compromising their safety and well-being.