- Home |
- About Us |
- Contact Us |
- Site Map |
The Safeguarding Children Program of the Australian Council for Children & Youth Organisations aims to provide organisations with a comprehensive set of standards to protect children and young people in their care.
Choose with Care: Building Child Safe Organisations by B. McMenamin and P. Fitzgerald, South Melbourne, ECPAT, 2001, 183p handbook and video.
Available from ECPAT Australia, PO Box 451, South Melbourne Vic 3205; tel: +613 9645 8911; fax: +613 9645 8922; email: ecpat@ecpat.org; Internet: http://www.ecpat.org/
This information and training program is designed to assist organisations to establish a safe environment for the children and young people in their care. The overall aim is to provide a systematic and user friendly guide to child protection, and to deter, minimise and remove opportunities for abuse to occur in children's organisations and programs. The goal is to inspire child focused organisations to gain a greater understanding of child abuse, to recognise how it can and does exist in organisations, and to assist workers to take decisive, informed and manageable steps towards establishing a child safe environment. The handbook is divided into the following three sections: Towards a child safe organisation presents the context of the program and provides an overview of what is meant by a child safe organisation; Developing child safe policies and procedures outlines the specific steps required to establish child safety in organisations; and Maintaining a child safe organisation recognises that organisations are inherently organic and must remain responsive to change in order to maintain best practice.
The handbook outlines in practical and straight-forward language the following child safe topics.
Choose with Care is a proactive, preventative and participatory model. These principles underpin all of the strategies included in the Choose with Care program. It is an ECPAT Australia/Child Wise program, funded by the Commonwealth Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, and the Victorian Department of Human Services.
The Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian (Queensland) has produced a number of publications and resources, including the Working with Children Kit which provides practical advice on creating safe and friendly environments for children and young people and educating agencies which work with young people to protect them from harm.
Employment Screening for NGOs in NSW: The Police Royal Commission, the Commission for Children and Young People and Criminal Record Checks, by R Bragg, Surry Hills, NSW: Council of Social Service of New South Wales, 1999, 17p.
Issues concerning the introduction of comprehensive staff screening to non government organisations (NGOs) providing human services in New South Wales are examined in this paper for the purpose of protecting clients from abuse. Pre employment staff screening already occurs in all NGOs. However, revelations as a result of the 1997 NSW Royal Commission into paedophilia have given impetus to the introduction of more comprehensive and effective screening systems. This paper considers, from an NGO perspective, how the policy framework could develop. Of particular concern is the approach being taken to criminal records checks and the scope of the probity unit. The paper also considers the resource needs of NGOs seeking to develop their screening practices.
Harassment-Free Sport: Protecting Children from Abuse in Sport, by the Australian Sports Commission, Belconnen, ACT: Australian Sports Commission, 2000, 36p.
Sport, recreation and fitness organisations are responsible for providing a safe and positive environment for people who participate in their activities. This document deals with the issue of abuse of children in sport. Sport is a particularly vulnerable area because it often involves close relationships between adults and children, and because these adults are in positions of trust and authority over children. Coaches, team managers or others working with children in sport may also be in a position to notice abuse that occurs both within and outside the sporting environment. It is important that these people know how to handle issues relating to the abuse of children. This publication deals with the law and child protection services, how to minimise risk, screening for a police record, how to handle allegations and good practice.
'Protecting children and young people: one year on', by G Calvert, Rattler,no.59, Spring 2001: 13-14.
Child protection legislation has been introduced by the NSW Government as a systematic way of checking the background of those people wishing to work with children in a range of environments, both public and private sectors, including child care settings. This paper discusses the first year of the operation of the screening process and how it is acting in the interests of children. Feedback on the legislation from the child care sector is considered along with the role of the Commission for Children and Young People, NSW.
'Screening for child-related employment', Broadside: Community Child Care Co-operative NSW, April 2000: 3-4.
This information sheet describes the role of the Commission for Children and Young People and explains screening for child-related employment that will start in mid 2000. What employers and employees need to do and questions of privacy and access to information are discussed.
Screening, Risk Assessment and Intervention for Family Violence including Child Abuse and Neglect, New Zealand Standard 8006:2006, http://www.police.govt.nz/resources/2006/nzs-8006-2006/
The purpose of this document is to provide an appropriate Standard, which establishes the minimum requirements that should be met by individuals and agencies/services involved in working with families living with family violence, child abuse or neglect. It provides a common language for these agencies/services to screen for this behaviour, to assess risk relating to these situations, and to provide for safety planning interventions.
The Commission for Children and Young People Bill 1998 and Other Child Protection Initiatives,by R Simpson, Sydney, NSW: New South Wales Parliamentary Library Research Service, 1998, 44p (Briefing paper no.14/98).
The Commission for Children and Young People Bill 1998 implements the Royal Commission into the New South Wales Police Service recommendation that a children's commission be established to oversee and coordinate the provision of service for the protection of children from abuse. This paper outlines these recommendations and looks at the Government's Green Paper, examining the proposed legislation in light of questions raised in that Green Paper. Opinions from four of the 160 written submissions received, are discussed: from the Council of Social Services NSW (NCOSS); the Community Services Commission; the Child Protection Council; and the NSW Police Association. Questions and answers on the following issues are presented: structure and focus of the Children's Commission; core functions of the Children's Commission; children's advocacy; children's guardian; employment screening; and complaints handling. Child protection arrangements in South Australia, Tasmania and Queensland are reviewed and the Child Protection (Prohibited Employment) Bill 1998 (no.2) and the Ombudsman Amendment (Child Protection and Community Services) Bill 1998 (no.2) are examined.
Safe Not Sorry: a handbook for selecting suitable people to work with children, by Anthea Simcock, Hamilton, NZ: CPS Training, 2000, 40p. ($14.95)
When children and young people are in the care of adults, they deserve to be safe. This publication is a practical, easy-to-use handbook to help keep child abusers out of organisations responsible for children. It offers advice on: how to check references; how to use the police vetting service; how to recruit safe volunteers; the Privacy Act; and the Human Rights Act. This booklet has been endorsed by the Office of the Commissioner for Children, Parentline and child advocates throughout New Zealand. CPS also offers assistance to organisations in developing policies. For further information: CPS Training, PO Box 679, Hamilton NZ.
Email info@cps.org.nz. Internet http://www.cps.org.nz/page/cps_5.php.
'Protection of children through criminal history record screening: well-meaning promises and legal pitfalls', by H A Davidson, Dickinson Law Review, vol. 89, no. 3, 1985: 577-603.
This article examines mandatory criminal record screening of child care personnel and discusses some limitations of implementing screening. It is noted that at present much variation exists in the accessibility and searchability of criminal records among states, as does variation in local, state, and Federal law regarding mandatory screening. It is suggested that if a screening system such as that required by the DeConcini Act is to be implemented, a number of issues need to be addressed. These include the terms and scope of screening, the role of law enforcement agencies in providing information and guidance on its interpretation and use, the costs of screening, processing delays, privacy and confidentiality, and the constitutional and legal liability implications of using criminal records to make hiring decisions. It is concluded that despite limitations of a mandated screening system, criminal and protective services record checks provide an important mechanism for preventing child maltreatment and discouraging paedophiles and other disturbed persons from seeking employment in child care or youth services.
Guidelines for the Screening of Persons Working with Children, the Elderly, and Individuals with Disabilities in Need of Support, by N S Davis, K L Grasso, K Dennis, S J Wells, and M B Liss, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, 1998, 61p.
This report discusses a decision-making model that can be used in screening prospective workers who may come into contact with children, the elderly or individuals with disabilities in need of support. The model includes 3 major steps: (1) assessment of triggers: these include setting, worker's contact with the adult or child, and special conditions; (2) evaluation of intervenors to decisionmaking: these include unavailable or inaccessible information, unexpected absences or departures, and liability concerns; (3) analysis and selection of screening practices: these may include sex offender registry check, alcohol or drug testing, motor vehicle record check. Also discussed is the fact that screening laws vary from state to state in the types of workers covered and the types of checks required. The report contains 5 appendices that include the National Child Protection Act of 1993, the Criminal Justice Information Services Information Letter, suggestions for implementing screening in the organisation, and post hiring practices. 20 references.
Beyond Police Checks, by L Graff, Graff and Associates, 1999, 150p.
In this publication the author, a Canadian, provides detailed information and advice about screening volunteers and employees to work with children. The book offers the reader a rationale for initial screening and ongoing credential checks, models for developing screening processes and a variety of screening tools. It has been suggested as a book that is useful for readers from other countries because the emphasis of the book is on protecting program participants rather than on meeting legal requirements. More detailed information about purchasing this book and a summary of each chapter can be found at http://www.energizeinc.com/xmlEi/solo.php?fzg_navGrpBtn=1-176-E-1
'Enhancing screening for child and youth care work with problem-specific measures: an example with Big Brothers/Big Sisters volunteers', by K C Herman, Child and Youth Care Forum, vol. 26, no.6, December, 1993: 459-476.
This article examines methods of enhancing Big Brothers and Big Sisters volunteer screening with problem-specific measures. The 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire is used by many Big Brother-Big Sister organisations to screen volunteers although it fails to detect specific detrimental qualities, including paedophilia and child abuse potential, drug and alcohol problems, interpersonal shortcomings, and emotional instabilities. Methods of screening potential Big Brother-Big Sister volunteers for these detrimental qualities are assessed, focusing on the use of the ABEL Screen, the Multiphasic Sex Inventory, and the Big Brothers-Big Sisters Paedophile Screen for detecting sexually abusive behaviours; the Child Abuse Potential Inventory for identifying physical child abusers; the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test, the CAGE, and the Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory for screening for substance abuse problems; the Interpersonal Dependency Inventory, the Social Relations Survey, and the
Multi-Dimensional Support Scale for measuring interpersonal skills; and the State-Trait Anger scales, the Beck Depression Inventory, the Clinical Anxiety Scale, and the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale for assessing emotional and internal qualities. In addition, programmatic issues in developing and using problem-specific screening measures are addressed.
'Screening for paedophiles in youth oriented community agencies', by A McCormack and M Selvaggio, Social Casework vol. 70, no. 1,1989: 37-42.
A screening method is presented to help identify paedophiles who may wish to affiliate with youth-oriented community agencies. The screening device was developed from the literature on offenders for the Big Brother-Big Sister organisation of Greater Lowell, Massachusetts. The information obtained is to be used in conjunction with other agency precautionary measures. Ten variables were selected: expressed preference for a child of a specific age; expressed preference for a child with a history of abuse and neglect; a history of sexual abuse; little social contact as a teenager; experience of frequent moves; overly active in the community in affairs of children; friends much younger than himself; imaging children as innocent or pure; many hobbies and interests appealing to children; and undergoing a second or subsequent match with a child. These variables were introduced into the agency's questionnaire for applicants. Such a device should not be used to prove that a volunteer is a paedophile, but may give a caseworker more confidence in rejecting a potential volunteer. (NISC copied)
'Deterring the molester and abuser: pre-employment testing for child and youth care workers', by A Moriarty, Child and Youth Care Quarterly, vol. 19, no.1, 1990: 59-66.
This article reviews the utilisation of psychological tests in the pre-employment screening process and suggests that some may be useful in screening out applicants not properly suited to work with children. Child and youth care administrators are confronted with an increasingly difficult task in selecting competent persons to work with children. The legal implications of negligent hiring make the consequences of error much higher. Although results are presently inconclusive, the potential for screening out inappropriate candidates by using psychological tests shows considerable promise.
Camp Director's Guide: Preventing Sexual Exploitation of Children, by J C Patterson, Washington, DC: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, 1988.
This guide provides specific information about preventing child sexual exploitation in the camp environment, to assist camp directors in recruitment, screening, training, and supervision of camp staff. Guidance is offered in identifying the behavioral characteristics of individuals who are sexually attracted to children and in screening them out in the personnel process. Definitions are presented for terms relating to paedophiles and the general field of child sexual abuse and exploitation. Characteristics of child molesters are summarized. Selection, training, and supervision of camp staff are reviewed. A checklist is included for the camp director, and a second checklist provides the warning signs of child sexual abuse and exploitation. A description of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children includes a list of the Center's books and brochures.