Child Protection Policy

Rapha Healthcare is committed to protecting the safety, wellbeing, and dignity of all children and young people. We recognise our responsibility to identify, prevent, and respond appropriately to abuse or neglect.

Rapha Healthcare complies with the Children’s Act 2014, the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989, and all relevant contracting, funding, and licensing requirements.
This policy aligns with Ngā Paerewa Health and Disability Services Standard NZS 8134:2021, Section 1.5.

Scope

This policy applies to all Rapha Healthcare employees, contractors, volunteers, students, and agency staff. Where service-specific requirements apply, these will be clearly identified.

Principles

Rapha Healthcare:

• Places the safety and wellbeing of children and young people at the centre of all decisions

• Maintains a zero-tolerance approach to abuse or neglect

• Ensures staff are supported, trained, and confident to identify and respond to concerns

• Works in partnership with Oranga Tamariki, New Zealand Police, and other relevant agencies

• Respects confidentiality while meeting legal information-sharing obligations

Key Definitions

Child / Young Person
As defined under the Children’s Act 2014, a child or young person is any person under 18 years of age.

Child abuse
The harming (whether physically, emotionally, or sexually), ill-treatment, abuse, neglect, or deprivation of any child or young person.

Neglect
Failure to meet the basic physical, emotional, medical, educational, or developmental needs of a child or young person.

Oranga Tamariki
The government agency responsible for responding to concerns about the safety and wellbeing of children and young people, including statutory care and protection services.

Recognising Abuse or Neglect

Staff should be alert to patterns of concern and changes in behaviour. Indicators may include (but are not limited to):

Physical indicators
Unexplained bruises, burns, fractures, injuries to genital areas, untreated medical conditions, poor hygiene, or signs of malnutrition.

Developmental indicators
Delays in physical, cognitive, emotional, or social development, including poor speech, learning difficulties, or being significantly small for age.

Emotional or psychological indicators
Low self-esteem, withdrawal, anxiety, sleep disturbances, extreme compliance or aggression, or signs of self-harm.

Behavioural indicators
Sexualised behaviour inappropriate for age, fear of certain people or places, substance use, disengagement, or extreme neediness.

Verbal disclosures
Any disclosure or allegation made by a child must be taken seriously and acted on immediately.

Exposure to intimate partner violence is recognised as a form of child abuse.

Safer Recruitment

Rapha Healthcare follows safer recruitment practices, including:

• Identity verification

• Reference checks

• Structured interviews

• Police vetting in accordance with the Children’s Act 2014

Reporting and Response

If a staff member suspects abuse or neglect, or believes a child is at immediate risk, they must:

1. Ensure the immediate safety of the child

2. Escalate the concern to their line manager or on-call manager without delay

3. Complete an Incident Report as soon as practicable

The General Manager and Quality Manager must be informed of all child protection concerns. The Chief Executive will be notified in all confirmed or high-risk cases.

Where there is immediate danger, emergency services must be contacted immediately.

Rapha Healthcare will seek advice from Oranga Tamariki and/or New Zealand Police before informing families, whānau, or caregivers, unless advised otherwise by statutory agencies.

Confidentiality and Information Sharing

Under sections 15 and 16 of the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989, any person who, in good faith, reports concerns about a child’s safety or wellbeing is legally protected from civil, criminal, or disciplinary action.

Information will be shared on a need-to-know basis and only in accordance with legal requirements. All disclosures must first be escalated internally via an Incident Report.

Final notifications to Oranga Tamariki and/or Police will be made by the General Manager or Quality Manager, with Chief Executive approval.

Allegations Against Staff

Any allegation involving a Rapha Healthcare staff member, contractor, or volunteer will:

• Be managed confidentially and fairly

• Involve People & Culture

• Follow employment, legal, and contractual obligations

• Be escalated immediately to senior leadership

Support for Staff

Rapha Healthcare recognises that child protection concerns can be distressing. We are committed to:

• Supporting staff wellbeing

• Maintaining confidentiality where possible

• Providing access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

• Offering additional support as required

Responsibilities

All Staff

• Remain vigilant and report concerns

• Follow this policy and associated procedures

Managers

• Ensure staff are trained and supported

• Escalate concerns appropriately

Senior Leadership

• Ensure legal compliance

• Liaise with statutory agencies

• Oversee responses and outcomes

Safeguarding and Protection (Public Summary)
Rapha Health Care is committed to protecting the safety, wellbeing, and dignity of all people we support, including children, young people, older adults, and disabled people. We take concerns about abuse, neglect, exploitation, or family violence seriously.

If we identify or suspect harm, we will act promptly to support safety, follow our internal escalation process, and involve appropriate services where required (including Oranga Tamariki, Police, health professionals, and safeguarding agencies). Information is shared only when necessary and in line with New Zealand law.

Review

This policy will be reviewed every three years, or earlier if legislation or service requirements change.

Publication Date: February 2026