Child Protection Policy

Updated and Re-adopted 4 May 2026

Introduction:

This policy outlines the board’s commitment to child protection and recognises the important role and responsibility of all our staff in the protection of children. It includes the board’s expectations when child abuse is reported or suspected by us. 

The board has an obligation to ensure the wellbeing of children in our care so they thrive, belong and achieve. We are committed to the prevention of child abuse and neglect and to the protection of all children. The safety and wellbeing of the child is our top priority. Advice will be sought through appropriate agencies in all cases of suspected or alleged abuse. We will act early to support positive outcomes and reduce harm. We acknowledge that everyone in the school community shares responsibility for safeguarding children from abuse.

All staff members (including contractors and volunteers) are expected to be familiar with this policy, its associated procedures and protocols and abide by them.

Anyone who has concerns about the  well-being of a child or young person or believes that a child or young person has been, or is likely  to be, harmed, ill-treated, abused, (whether physically, emotionally, or sexually), neglected, or deprived, must follow school procedures and may report the matter to Oranga Tamariki or the Police. 

Teaching staff are required to maintain ethical and professional relationships with students that respect appropriate professional boundaries. Teachers have a professional responsibility to promote the wellbeing of students and protect them from harm. This responsibility includes remaining vigilant to concerns about student wellbeing and safety, and promptly reporting any concerns, suspicions, or allegations of abuse, neglect, or professional misconduct involving a student to the designated child protection lead(s).

Responsibilities and guidelines:

Although ultimate accountability sits with the board, the board delegates responsibility to the principal to ensure that all child safety procedures are implemented and available to all staff, contractors, volunteers and parents. Therefore, the principal must:

1. Develop appropriate procedures to meet child safety requirements as required and appropriate to the school.
2. Comply with relevant legislative requirements and responsibilities.
3. Make this policy available on the school’s website or available on request.
4. Ensure that every contract, or funding arrangement, that the school enters into requires the adoption of child protection policies where required.
5. Ensure the interests and protection of the child are paramount in all circumstances.
6. Recognise the rights of family/whānau to participate in the decision-making about their children.
7. Ensure that all staff are able to identify the signs and symptoms of potential abuse and neglect, deal with disclosures by children and allegations against staff members and are able to take appropriate action in response.
8. Support all staff to work in accordance with this policy, to work with partner agencies and organisations to ensure child protection policies are understood and implemented.
9. Promote a culture where staff feel confident they can constructively challenge poor practice or raise issues of concern without fear of reprisal.
10. Consult, discuss and share relevant information, in line with our commitment to confidentiality and information sharing protocols, in a timely way regarding any concerns about an individual child with the board or designated person.
11. Seek advice as necessary from relevant agencies where child safety issues arise.
12. Make available professional development, resources and/or advice to ensure all staff can carry out their roles in terms of this policy.
13. Ensure that this policy forms part of the initial staff induction programme for each staff member and there are yearly reminders for all staff.

Review schedule: Every  3 years

Legislation

• Children’s Act 2014
• Oranga Tamariki Act 1989
• Children, Young Persons, and Their Families (Oranga Tamariki) Legislation Act 2017
• Privacy Act 2020
• Education and Training Act 2020

Resources

• Ministry of Education | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga:
  • Child protection in schools 
  • School child protection policy 
• Oranga Tamariki | Ministry for Children:
  • Worried about a child? Tell us 
  • Safer Organisations Safer Children: Guidelines for child protection policies to build safer organisations 
• New Zealand Police | Nga Pirihimana o Aotearoa: Child protection guidelines 
• Ministry of Social Development | Te Manatū Whakahiato Ora: The Child and Youth Strategy 2024-2027
• United Nations Human Rights: Convention on the Rights of the Child 

• Children’s Action Plan guideline Safer Organisations, Safer Children 
• Vulnerable Children (Requirements for Safety Checks of Children’s Workers) Regulations 2015 
• Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand's Ngā Tikanga Matatika | The Code of Professional Responsibility
• Northcote College Staff Guidelines 

Updated and re-adopted May 2026 

This policy is adapted from the NZSTA child protection policy template
 

Other related Northcote College Policies:

• Schedule of Delegated Authority