If a child chooses to disclose personal information to a member of staff no other member of staff should no be informed of the information as the policy covers this.
‘The advisor-client relationship is one in which the client should feel safe that both the fact of the meeting and the content of that meeting is private and confidential to the advisory service.’
When evaluating the legislative rights of the child and the rights of their familes, the children act established the ‘paramountcy principle’, this states that the needs of the child are paramount. This principle evaluates the rights of the child or young person as well as their familly.The Children Act (1989) gives Local Authorities a statutory duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and to protect them from harm and abuse within the family.
Children have a right to be protected from harm, this policy helps children as children can be protected from harm they may be experiencing. For example a child may tell an adult they are being physically abused, this policy this helps the child as it’s the manager’s duty to inform social services. This policy also protects the child as staff are forbidden to disclose any information
‘The Act imposes a general duty on local councils to provide a range of services to 'children in need' in their area if those services will help keep a child safe and well.’
Collections and arrival policy
Its important that parents are consistant ensuring they give their child a routine espically when attending school and nursery. This policy helps children as it ensures that children don’t miss out on vital learning and activities that also help to stimulate learning. If parents feel they are unable to meet this policiy they should call the care setting as this enables them to be aware of their lateness.For example a parent may be late to collect their child, its their duty to contact ther nursery imforming them.
To prevent confusion policies should be clear.This policy both helps the child and the staff within the setting as it prepares them and prevents staff from taking further action. For example a parent may fail to contact the care settin in which their child is in staff may result to contactin social servies as its there duty to and the matter will then be dealt with.
According to the convention rights of the child The Convention on the Rights of the Child sets out the rights that must be realized for children to develop their full potential. Children need full support from their families and every one within society.
This policy also enforces security as no individual is allowed to pick up a child from care settings such as nurseries and schools, due to this policy the child is protected.
Health and safety policy
Whilst children and young people are being looked after its vital that they maintain good health and they are safe. When being looked after in any care setting weather it’s a care home, nursery or school. There needs to be high security as there may be intruders to ensure children and young people are looked after the care setting needs to ensure security such as CCTV is installed.
When visiting a care setting visitors should have to sign in on arrival, procedures such as these help to minimise risks for example if a fire broke out staff would be aware of who is in the building. Visitors should have to ring a bell to gain access, again to minimise the risks settings should have an intercom as it enables staff to see and know who they are letting them into the building.
‘The Children Act 2004 places a duty on services to ensure that every child, whatever their background or circumstances, to have the support they need to be health and stay safe.’
Code of conduct
Code of conduct helps children and young people as it sets rules outlining the responsibilities of practices for an individual or organization. The Code of Conduct clarifies the standards of behaviour that are expected of staff, children and young people. For example within a care home children need to be aware of behaviour rules and they need to be aware of the policy. However the down fall is settings may not fully explain to the residents which may promote negative behaviours.
Child protection
The child protection act is a legislation which was put in place to protect children and young people from harm, when being looked after wheather its in a nursey at shool or in a childrens care home children have to right to be care for in a apporpiate manner.For example no plysical cotact should be used against children in any way such as hittin.kicking and punching.
Policies and procedures ensure children and young people are looked after in the correct manner this include treating them with respect, not hullmilating or bullying them in any way, this policy enables parents to know that their children are in a safe enviorment and they are fully cared for.
Legislations and policies have been put in place to ensure that children are protected whist being looked after against individual’s who may be seen an unsuitable to work with children. For example someone who has abused children should never be allowed to work within a setting where there are children.
‘The Protection of Children Act 1999 came into force in October 2000 and introduced the Protection of Children Act (PoCA) List in which the Secretary of State has a duty to record the names of individuals who are considered unsuitable to work with children.’
According to the protection of children act 1999 Child care organisations proposing to offer individuals employment in child care positions must not employ individuals whose names are included on the PoCA List or List 99 (on the grounds that they are unsuitable to work with children) and must cease to employ such individuals in child care positions if they subsequently discover that they are included on these Lists.
Reference:
Warick volutaers. Condidentially polciy www.warwick.ac.uk/about/community/volunteers/vols/policies/confidentiality/ 7/12/2006
Teacher net,Protection of Children Act 1999 and the POCA List
www.teachernet.gov.uk/wholeschool/familyandcommunity/childprotection/poca/