Child Protection Policy

3. Implementation

DTP is committed to a child safe environment and will ensure that:

• All DTP Personnel are familiar with this Child Protection Policy (Policy) and the Child Protection Code of Conduct (Code of Conduct) annexed to this Policy, and understand their obligations under the Policy and Code of Conduct.
• Personnel who may come into contact with children during the delivery of DTP programs undergo the relevant recruitment screening processes, including criminal record checks before engagement, verbal referee checks and requesting that the applicant disclose whether they have been charged with child exploitation offences and recording their response.
• DTP will consider risks to children when designing and delivering its operations and will prevent DTP Personnel from working with children if they pose an unacceptable risk to children.
• An assessment of child protection risk and risk management is undertaken for all DTP programs. DTP will undertake a Child Protection Risk Assessment as part of the Program Risk Assessment and Management planning. As part of that Risk Assessment, DTP will consider:
  • whether the activity involves DTP Personnel having contact with children;
  • if so, whether children will be at risk of harm, including an unacceptable risk of harm; and
  • if children are at any risk of harm, the measures DTP can implement to reduce or remove the risk to children.
• All DTP Personnel are provided with information and guidance on recognising and avoiding inappropriate behaviours with children, and recognising when the safety of a child may be at risk.
• A clear reporting procedure is available to all personnel involved in DTP programs. Personnel are aware that it is mandatory to report immediately any concerns, suspicions or allegations of harm to a child and/or breaches of DTP’s Child Protection Policy or Code of Conduct by any DTP Personnel to DTP’s Executive Director, Child Protection Officer or Program Coordinator.
• If the report relates to a DFAT funded project, DTP’s ED or Child Protection Officer will immediately report to DFAT’s Conduct and Ethics Unit via [email protected]
• Where DTP Personnel have already reported to DTP or DTP has already reported to DFAT, and they become aware of additional information, DTP Personnel and DTP must also make a further report in relation to that additional information.
• Any concerns, suspicions or allegations of harm to a child and/or breaches of DTP’s Child Protection Policy are thoroughly investigated and notified to the appropriate authorities including to the appropriate police force if criminal offences may be involved.
• DTP will ensure that any personnel under investigation for offences relating to child exploitation and abuse are suspended from duty or transferred to duties that do not involve contact with children during an investigation.
• When responding to allegations, both during the investigation and any disciplinary process, the rights of each individual, including their rights to privacy and procedural fairness, will be respected.
• In the event that an allegation of harm to a child is proved DTP will terminate the employment, contract and/or association with the perpetrator.
• DTP takes any breach of its Child Protection Policy or Code of Conduct very seriously. If such a breach is proved, DTP is likely to take disciplinary action against the relevant DTP Personnel. Depending on the severity of the breach and the level of harm or risk to children, this may include suspension or termination of the employment, contract and/or association with the relevant DTP Personnel.
• Appropriate support will be provided to children who are the victims of harm associated with contact with DTP Personnel.