Child Protection Policy

Our Commitment to Protecting Children

Shalom Day Care Centre is committed to providing every child with a safe, caring, inclusive and respectful environment where they can learn, develop and thrive free from abuse, neglect, exploitation, violence, intimidation and discrimination.

The Centre places the best interests, safety, dignity, rights and wellbeing of every child at the heart of its programmes, services and daily operations. Child safeguarding is a shared responsibility involving the Board, management, staff, teachers, caregivers, volunteers, contractors, partners, visitors and all other individuals associated with the Centre.

1. Policy Purpose

The Child Protection Policy establishes the standards, responsibilities and procedures required to prevent and respond to child abuse, neglect, exploitation, violence and other forms of harm.

It provides a framework for maintaining a safe, inclusive and child-centred environment where every child can learn, develop and thrive, while ensuring that child safeguarding is integrated into the Centre's programmes, services, operations and decision-making.

2. Scope

The Policy applies to everyone working with, representing, supporting or interacting with Shalom Day Care Centre, including management, teachers, caregivers, employees, volunteers, interns, consultants, contractors, partners, visitors and service providers.

Its requirements apply wherever children interact with the Centre, including classrooms, learning environments, playgrounds, recreational activities, excursions, community programmes, meetings, transportation, events, photography and media activities, and digital or online communication involving children.

Everyone covered by the Policy is expected to comply with its requirements and immediately report any actual, suspected or potential child protection concern.

3. Guiding Principles

Shalom Day Care Centre's approach to child safeguarding is founded on the following principles:

• Best Interests of the Child – The safety, wellbeing, rights and best interests of the child guide all decisions and actions.
• Zero Tolerance for Harm – Abuse, neglect, exploitation, violence, bullying, harmful practices and other conduct that places children at risk are not tolerated.
• Equality and Non-Discrimination – Every child is entitled to equal protection, care and opportunities without discrimination.
• Respect and Participation – Children are treated with dignity, listened to and encouraged to express their views on matters affecting them.
• Shared Responsibility and Accountability – Everyone associated with the Centre has a responsibility to safeguard children and maintain professional and ethical standards.
• Confidentiality and Privacy – Safeguarding information is protected and shared only with those who have a legitimate need to know.
• Timely, Child-Focused Response – Concerns and allegations are taken seriously and addressed promptly in a manner that prioritises the child's safety, dignity and wellbeing.
• Compliance and Continuous Improvement – Safeguarding practices are strengthened through training, monitoring, review and compliance with applicable requirements and recognised standards.

4. Understanding Child Protection

For the purposes of the Policy, a child is any person below the age of eighteen (18) years.

Child protection risks recognised by the Centre include physical abuse, emotional or psychological abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, exploitation, online abuse, grooming, child labour and harmful practices.

The Policy recognises that harm may occur through a single incident or repeated actions and may involve any individual who has access to or interacts with a child.

5. Our Safeguarding Commitment

Shalom Day Care Centre is committed to embedding child safeguarding throughout its governance, programmes, operations and organisational culture.

The Centre commits to:

• Maintaining a safe, healthy, inclusive and child-friendly environment.
• Protecting children's rights, dignity, participation and wellbeing.
• Implementing appropriate safe recruitment, screening and supervision measures.
• Providing safeguarding induction and regular training to personnel.
• Integrating safeguarding considerations into programmes, activities, partnerships and services.
• Maintaining accessible and confidential mechanisms for reporting and responding to concerns.
• Working with parents, caregivers, communities, government authorities and relevant stakeholders to strengthen child protection.
• Maintaining appropriate safeguarding records and regularly reviewing safeguarding practices for continuous improvement.

6. Code of Conduct

Everyone working with or representing Shalom Day Care Centre is expected to maintain the highest standards of professional and ethical conduct and to protect the safety, dignity and wellbeing of every child.

Personnel are expected to treat children with respect and compassion, maintain appropriate professional boundaries, use positive and non-violent behaviour management, listen to children's concerns, protect their privacy and ensure appropriate supervision of activities involving children.

The Policy strictly prohibits physical punishment, physical or emotional abuse, sexual misconduct, grooming, exploitation, inappropriate relationships, unsafe private interactions, unauthorised communication with children, inappropriate use of children's images and any other conduct that places a child at risk.

Serious breaches may result in disciplinary action, suspension, termination of employment or engagement, and referral to relevant authorities where required by law.

7. Safe Recruitment

Shalom Day Care Centre integrates child safeguarding into its recruitment, selection and onboarding processes to help ensure that only suitable individuals are engaged to work with or have access to children.

Safeguarding measures include identity verification, qualification and employment checks, professional references, assessment of suitability to work with children and disclosure of relevant safeguarding information where permitted by law.

Personnel must read, understand and commit to the Child Protection Policy and Code of Conduct before commencing their duties, and appropriate safeguarding induction is required.

Individuals found to present an unacceptable safeguarding risk will not be employed, contracted or otherwise engaged by the Centre.

8. Roles and Responsibilities

Child protection is a collective responsibility.

The Board of Directors and Management Committee provide strategic leadership, oversight, resources and accountability for the implementation of the Policy.

The Centre Manager coordinates day-to-day implementation, safeguarding procedures, reporting, records, training and liaison with relevant authorities and stakeholders.

Teachers and caregivers have direct responsibility for protecting the safety and wellbeing of children in their care, maintaining appropriate supervision and reporting safeguarding concerns.

Volunteers, interns, contractors, consultants, visitors and other associated personnel are required to comply with the Policy, maintain appropriate professional boundaries and immediately report any safeguarding concern or unsafe practice.

9. Reporting Child Protection Concerns

Shalom Day Care Centre requires the immediate reporting of any actual, suspected or potential child protection concern.

Concerns may be reported verbally or in writing to the Centre Manager or designated Child Protection Focal Person. Where a child is believed to be at immediate risk of harm, urgent action must be taken to protect the child and the matter must be referred without delay to the appropriate government authorities, including the Police, Social Welfare Officer or other legally mandated child protection authority where applicable.

Reports are handled promptly and confidentially. Individuals who report concerns in good faith are protected from intimidation, retaliation, discrimination or other adverse treatment.

10. Responding to Child Protection Concerns

Every child protection concern, disclosure or allegation is treated seriously and addressed promptly and professionally, regardless of the identity of the alleged perpetrator or the source of the information.

The Centre's response prioritises:

• The immediate safety and protection of the child.
• Compassionate and respectful treatment.
• Accurate and factual documentation.
• Appropriate confidentiality and information protection.
• Activation of internal safeguarding procedures.
• Timely referral to competent authorities where required.
• Cooperation with official investigations.
• Appropriate medical, counselling or psychosocial support where available and appropriate.

The Centre does not conduct criminal investigations or determine criminal liability. Such responsibilities remain with competent government authorities. The Centre's role is to protect the child, preserve relevant information, make appropriate referrals, cooperate with official investigations and prevent further harm.

11. Confidentiality and Privacy

Shalom Day Care Centre is committed to protecting the privacy, dignity and rights of children and all individuals involved in safeguarding matters.

Information relating to child protection concerns, allegations, investigations and case management is treated as strictly confidential and shared only with individuals who have a legitimate safeguarding, legal, investigative or professional need to know.

Safeguarding records are maintained securely with access restricted to authorised personnel. However, confidentiality does not prevent the Centre from sharing relevant information with competent authorities where necessary to protect a child, fulfil legal obligations or support an authorised investigation.

The safety and best interests of the child take precedence.

12. Photography, Media and Communication

Children's photographs, videos, audio recordings and personal information must be collected, used, stored and shared responsibly, with full consideration for their privacy, dignity, safety and best interests.

Prior informed written consent from a parent or legal guardian is required for the collection, use or publication of children's images or personal information, except where otherwise permitted or required by law.

The Centre prohibits the creation, publication or distribution of degrading, exploitative, sexually suggestive or otherwise harmful content involving children. Information that could identify, locate or expose a child or their family to risk must not be unnecessarily disclosed.

Children's images and personal information must not be shared through personal social media accounts, private messaging platforms or other unauthorised channels without the required approval and consent.

13. Online Safety

Shalom Day Care Centre is committed to protecting children from online abuse, exploitation, grooming, cyberbullying, harmful content and other digital risks.

Digital communication involving children must use authorised platforms and remain professional, transparent, age-appropriate and directly related to approved educational or organisational activities.

Private, personal or secret communication with children through personal email accounts, social media platforms, messaging applications or other unofficial channels is prohibited unless expressly authorised for legitimate purposes with appropriate parental knowledge and consent.

Any online abuse, grooming, cyberbullying, exploitation, inappropriate communication or unauthorised sharing of children's information must be reported immediately.

14. Safeguarding Risk Assessment

Shalom Day Care Centre takes a proactive approach to identifying and managing risks that may affect children.

Child safeguarding risk assessments are conducted before programmes, activities, events, visits and services involving children. Assessments consider areas such as:

• Physical safety and facilities.
• Transportation and travel.
• Buildings, classrooms and playgrounds.
• Health, sanitation and hygiene.
• Supervision and staffing.
• Visitors and external service providers.
• Emergency preparedness and response.
• Online and digital safety.

Where risks are identified, appropriate preventive and mitigation measures must be implemented before activities begin. Risk assessments are reviewed and updated when significant changes occur or new safeguarding risks emerge.

15. Breaches and Accountability

Compliance with the Child Protection Policy is mandatory for all individuals and entities covered by the Policy.

Depending on the nature and severity of a breach, action may include corrective measures, additional safeguarding training, suspension, termination of employment or engagement, cancellation of contracts or partnerships, permanent prohibition from representing the Centre, and referral to the Police, Social Welfare Officer or other competent authorities where required by law.

Shalom Day Care Centre maintains a zero-tolerance approach to child abuse, exploitation, neglect, violence and serious safeguarding misconduct.

No person should face retaliation for reporting a safeguarding concern in good faith or cooperating with an authorised investigation. Conversely, deliberate concealment of concerns, obstruction of investigations or knowingly providing false or misleading information may also result in disciplinary or legal action.

16. Training and Awareness

Effective child safeguarding depends on knowledge, skills and commitment across the organisation and community.

The Centre provides mandatory safeguarding induction for personnel whose duties involve direct or indirect contact with children and conducts regular refresher training to strengthen their ability to identify, prevent, report and respond to safeguarding concerns.

The Centre also promotes awareness among parents, caregivers and community members on child rights, positive parenting, online safety and prevention of abuse and neglect.

Children are provided with age-appropriate protection education to help them understand their rights, recognise unsafe situations, seek trusted support and report concerns without fear of intimidation or retaliation.

17. Monitoring and Review

Shalom Day Care Centre monitors the implementation of this Policy on an ongoing basis to assess compliance, identify safeguarding gaps, strengthen prevention and response measures and promote continuous improvement.

The Centre Manager coordinates implementation, monitoring and evaluation, while the Board of Directors and Management Committee provide oversight, accountability and appropriate resources.

The Policy undergoes a formal comprehensive review at least once every three (3) years, or earlier where required by changes in national legislation, regulatory requirements, safeguarding standards, organisational needs or lessons learned from safeguarding incidents and monitoring activities.

Our Commitment

Shalom Day Care Centre affirms that safeguarding children is a fundamental responsibility shared by everyone associated with the organisation.

Every individual covered by the Policy is expected to uphold the highest standards of professional and ethical conduct, protect the safety, dignity, rights and wellbeing of every child, report safeguarding concerns promptly and cooperate fully with safeguarding assessments, investigations and response processes.