Shearwater

Shearwater’s School Policy and Guidelines on Child Protection

In addition to providing a caring, protective and creative educational learning environment Shearwater is committed to the protection of children from abuse and neglect. This extends to physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, child sexual abuse and domestic violence.

Current legislation

At Shearwater, all Teachers are aware that under the Children (Care and Protection) Act of 1987 notification of child abuse to the Department of Community Services (DOCS) is mandatory.

If you have concerns regarding any matters covered by this legislation, report to the Designated Authorities or consult the following compliance and response regulations.
– Children (Care and Protection) Act 1987
– Ombudsman Amendment (Child protection and Community Services) Act 1998
– Crimes Act 1900 (Amendments up to 1999)
– Child Protection (Prohibited Employment) Act 1998
– Commission for Children and Young People Act 1998

Designated authority

In accordance with legislation all staff are obliged to report child abuse and neglect.

Any instance of evidence of child abuse is to be directed to either or both of the following authorities that Shearwater has designated:

Educational Administrator Julie Lovett

Julie Lovett is an Accredited Investigators for the purpose of making Class or Kind Determinations under section 25CA of the Ombudsman Act 1974 and under section 33(1) of the Commission for Children and young people Act 1998.

Confidentiality

We regard as crucial the need to protect the safety, privacy and integrity of children, staff and members of the community. As a result, any information gleaned during an investigation will be treated as totally confidential.

Internal investigation procedures

When investigating any case involving child abuse or neglect, Shearwater chooses to follow the recommended Protocols for Internal Investigative and Disciplinary Proceedings drawn together by the Association of independent Schools (AIS) NSW and the NSW/ACT Independent Education union.