Kids Club
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      1. SUPPORTING OUR TEAM
      2. Kids Club

      Child Protection & Procedures Policy

      At FIT, we are dedicated to providing a safe and nurturing environment for all babies and children while staying in the Kids Club.

      POLICY STATEMENT

      At FIT, we are dedicated to providing a safe and nurturing environment for all babies and children while staying in the Kids Club. We are committed to safeguarding children from harm, abuse, and neglect, and ensuring their well-being is our top priority.

      FIT upholds zero-tolerance policy towards any form of child abuse, including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as neglect. We believe that every child deserves to feel safe, respected, and valued within our facility.

      All staff associated with FIT are expected to adhere to our child protection policy, follow the guidelines for appropriate behaviour towards children, and report any concerns or suspicions of abuse promptly and confidentially.

      By implementing these child protection measures we aim to create a secure and supportive environment where babies and children can enjoy their experience at our Kids Club.

      FIT is committed to continuously reviewing and improving our child protection practices to ensure the safety, well-being, and happiness of all children under our care.

      LEGAL

      In accordance with local and national laws, regulations, and best practices governing child protection, FIT has developed and implemented this child protection policy to ensure the safety and well-being of all children within our facility. Our commitment to child protection is reinforced by the following legal framework:

      We adhere to all relevant laws and regulations concerning child protection in NSW where FIT is located. This includes but not limited to The Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 (the Care Act). The Children’s Guardian Act 2019 (Children’s Guardian Act) and the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012.

      By integrating these legal requirements and standards into our child protection policy, we affirm our commitment to creating a secure and protective environment for all babies and children participating in our care at our Kids Club.

      RESPONSIBILITIES

      The responsibility of protecting babies and children lies with each individual staff member. All cases should be reported to management for action.

      1. Understanding and following the company’s child protection policy and procedures.
      2. Recognise signs of child abuse or neglect and knowing how to report concerns.
      3. Creating a safe and supportive environment for babies and children.
      4. Communicating with children in a respectful manner.
      5. Stay updated on relevant guidelines and laws.
      6. Cooperating with authorities and child protection agencies as necessary.
      7. Documenting and reporting any incidents or suspicions of child abuse or neglect promptly and accurately.

      CODE OF CONDUCT

      Below is the Code of Conduct for all staff interacting with babies and children:

      1. Treat all children with respect, kindness, and dignity at all times.
      2. Maintain appropriate physical and emotional boundaries with children.
      3. Communicate with children in a clear, age-appropriate, and respectful manner.
      4. Avoid any form of physical, emotional, or verbal abuse towards children.
      5. Listen to children’s concerns and take them seriously.
      6. Follow company guidelines for supervision and monitoring of children’s activities.
      7. Report any concerns or suspicions of child abuse or neglect promptly to management.
      8. Maintain confidentiality and respect the privacy of children at all times.
      9. Participate in child protection training when offered by the company and stay informed about relevant policies and procedures.

      RECRUITMENT AND SCREENING

      All staff undergo background checking including reference checking and working with children checks. Background checking involves identifying and managing risks. Credential checks are not a requirement for this position.

      REPORTING PROCEDURES

      Understanding what is child abuse, the effects it can have to a child and some common indicators.

      Child abuse is categorised in five ways:

      1. Physical abuse – occurs when a child has experienced severe ill-treatment such as beating, shaking, attempted suffocation or excessive punishment.
      2. Sexual abuse – occurs when a child is exposed or subjected to sexual behaviours that are exploitive or inappropriate to his/her age and development.
      3. Emotional abuse – is the chronic failure to provide support and affection necessary for a child to develop a healthy self esteem and social competence. Examples may include behaviours such as threatening, belittling, teasing, humiliating and bullying.
      4. Neglect – is the failure to provide for the child/young person’s basic needs such as food, medical care, education and supervision.
      5. Exposure to family violence – whereby a child/young person is living in a household where there have been incidents of domestic violence and, consequently, the child or young person is at risk of serious physical or psychological harm.

      If a child/young person tells you that they have been abused, they may feel scared, guilty, ashamed, angry and powerless. You in turn, may feel a sense of outrage, disgust, sadness, anger and sometimes disbelief.

      It is important for you to remain calm and in control, and to reassure the child/young person that something will be done to keep him/her safe.

      You can show you care by:

      • Listening carefully
      • Telling the child/young person
        • that you believe them
        • it is not their fault and he or she is not responsible for the abuse
        • that telling you is the right thing to do
      • Letting the child use his/her own words
      • As soon as you form the view that abuse or neglect may have occurred, seek management input
      • Explain that the information will need to be shared with the appropriate people who will be able to help
      • Try not to leave the child in a distressed state
      • Don’t dismiss anything a child/young person has to tell you
      • Don’t dismiss any report made to you by an adult – it is not your right to dismiss any information that is given to you
      • As soon as possible after the conversation, record exactly what the child said, using their own words

      All documentation recording the conversation must be passed onto management who will pass it onto authorities.

      If you suspect abuse by the child/young person has not told anyone, it is important to be aware of the emotional distress that the child/young person may be experience.

      You could approach the child/young person in a caring and sensitive manner and assure him/her that you are willing to listen and help if needed. Alternatively, you could notify management. 

      REPORTING A DISCLOSURE OR SUSPICION

      All reports are to be made to management in the first case. All reports will be made directly to the Child Protection Helpline on 13 21 11 and to the Police 000.

      You do not need proof of abuse to make a report – you can act on a suspicion of abuse.