CHCPRT001 Identify and respond to children and young people at risk

Workplace Project Task

Student name

]

Student email address

]

Supervisor name

Supervisor contact number

Supervisor email address

Supervisor designation

Unit Code and Title

CHCPRT001 Identify and respond to children and young people at risk

About this Task

This Workplace Project Task requires you to apply your knowledge and skills of identifying and responding to children and young people at risk in the context of the provided simulated workplace 'Happyville Community Centre'.

This assessment contains Four Parts and Twelve Tasks:

Part One – Community Cases

1.1 Duty of Care

1.2 Indicators of Risk

1.3 Employee Responsibilities

1.4 Information on Abuse

1.5 Seeking Guidance

1.6 Reporting to Supervisors

Part Two – Compliance and Ethics

2.1 Legislative Responsibilities

2.2 Ethical Dilemmas

2.3 Complying with Policies and Procedures

Part Three – Identify and Discuss Cases

3.1 Identifying and Discussing Suspected Abuse with Children

3.2 Identifying and Discussing Suspected Abuse with Supervisors

Part Four – Report Suspected Abuse Cases

4.1 Reporting Suspected Abuse

Instructions for the Student

For this Workplace Project Task assessment, you are required to answer the task questions to demonstrate your knowledge and skills of:

Implemented work practices that support the protection of children and young people

Complying with regulations, legislations, and duty of care responsibilities

Employing child-focused work practices to uphold the rights of children and young people

Maintaining confidentiality

Providing appropriate responses in the protection of children and young people

Read and interpret the procedures for reporting children at risk in line with organisational expectations and legislative requirements

Task Conditions

All tasks are to be completed using the simulated business

'

Happyville Community Centre

'

All practical roleplayed tasks must be undertaken in a simulated community centre. This means that the tasks can be performed in the workplace with a supervisor, or outside the workplace but in environments that are similar to community centres.

A supervisor is required to observe you participate in role plays for Task 3.1 and 3.2. This supervisor may be your workplace supervisor from your placement, or a volunteer participant such as a friend or colleague. It’s recommended that this person is over 18 with a general knowledge of child safety principles.

An additional participant may be required to participate in a role play, in the role of a child for Task 3.1. It’s recommended that this person is over 18 with a general knowledge of child safety principles. If an additional participant is not available, your supervisor can perform this role.

Task resource requirements

Access to your learning materials

Access to a computer and the Internet

Child Protection Policy (provided below)

Access to Microsoft Word

Access to two participants to conduct roleplays with

Simulated Business for Workplace Project Task

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

HAPPYVILLE COMMUNITY CENTRE

Scope

This policy applies to all employees of the Happyville Community Centre as well as parents/guardians, children, young people, volunteer workers, students

,

and visitors to the centre

.

Policy

The Happyville Community Centre is committed to providing a safe environment for all children

,

and this policy outlines our process to protect the children who use our services and programs.

All employees have a legal and ethical responsibility to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people who use our services and programs.

The best interests of children and young people will always be foremost in our thoughts and actions.

All staff

is

expected to assume appropriate personal and professional boundaries.

All children will be treated with respect and understanding and will be nurtured and supported to:

Feel safe and secure

Be listened to

Have their best interests upheld

To keep children safe, we will make sure that all of our staff:

Are trained to recognise and respond to child abuse

Know how to access support services

Understand the risk management process

Correctly handle complaints and disclosures

Uphold the rights of children and their families

Under relevant state/territory legislation, the centre is required to ensure that all allegations or disclosures of child abuse are appropriately addressed.

These procedures provide a framework for the protection of children and to guide staff who may need to report allegations of child abuse.

Procedures

Recruitment:

It is essential that staff are recruited who will work diligently, safely, and in the best interest of the children in the Centre. To assist us to recruit the right staff and to follow correct procedures

,

the following will occur:

All staff members will have a current Working with Children Check prior to recruitment

Every staff member will have a current police check

On recruitment, all staff will attend an in-depth induction process which will include training in child protection protocols

Allegations against staff members:

Any allegations about staff members must be advised to the supervisor, who will arrange with the Centre Manager to report the matter to the child protection authority or

P

olice if required.

When an allegation has been made against a staff member, consideration must be made about the risk to children of this person continuing to work during

an

investigation of the allegations. Legal advice may be sought with a view to the possible stand-down of the staff member – either with or without pay.

At the least, the staff member will need to work under supervision at all times

,

pending the outcomes of the investigation.

Allegations against people outside the centre:

Where a staff member has a reasonable belief that a child has experienced, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect

,

they must immediately inform their supervisor. The supervisor will then confer with the Centre Manager to make a report to the child protection authority. In cases of urgency

,

the

P

olice must be contacted immediately.

Reporting of information:

We take seriously any allegations of abuse and treat them seriously, reporting to the appropriate authorities.

A staff member who has a reasonable belief that a child is subject to abuse or neglect will write a report that contains the following information:

Child's name, address, and date of birth

Reasons for concern; report facts only

Family circumstances (where known)

Record of the staff member's observations. For example, bruising, child's demeanour, the reaction of the parent, and so on

Record of any conversation regarding disclosure. For example, 'Jimmy said that…', 'I asked him…', 'I told him I would…'

Assessment of risk of harm to the child at this current time

Current location of the child

Information of any known history of abuse

Any other relevant information

The staff member will write the report in a non-judgemental, factual

,

and professional manner. The report may be required for court processes at a later date.

What

are

'

reasonable grounds of suspicion of harm

'

?

Reasonable grounds for suspicion of harm is:

A child tells you that they have been harmed

Someone else tells you that the child has been harmed

The behaviour of the child changes significantly

The child has suspicious injuries that cannot be satisfactorily explained

The harm is witnessed

What to do if a child makes a disclosure?

Listen to what they have to say

Believe what they say

Comfort the child and let them know that it is NOT their fault

Tell them they have done the right thing by telling someone what has happened

Use open-ended questions and do not try to lead the child's answers

Only ask for enough information to find out whether there is a suspicion of risk – do not pry into the details of the abuse as this could cause stress to the child and could cause problems during any court process.

Tell the child that you will need to talk to someone else (supervisor) so that the child can be helped.

Do not tell the child that you will keep it a secret for them – but let them know that they will be protected from harm.

Take notes if you need to

Do not investigate the matter yourself, report it immediately

Write a report detailing all information

Provide the report to your supervisor immediately

What is abuse

,

and how is it recognised?

Abuse may be:

Physical

Sexual

Emotional

Neglect

Descriptions of the nature and indicators of each type of abuse can be found on the Australian Institute of Family Studies website at

https://aifs.gov.au/cfca/publications/what-child-abuse-and-neglect

Task 1: Justin

You work at Happyville Community Centre, a busy centre that runs lots of fantastic community programs for people of all ages.

Ruby and her five-year-old son Justin come to the centre for some of the family activities. Ruby has been doing a computer skills program to help her find a job when Justin starts school next year. Justin sadly has a history of abuse, as his mother's boyfriend (Paul) was known to be violent with him. An intervention order was previously put on Paul, and he left town several months ago. Ruby had disclosed this to you after Paul left.

All has been well with Justin and his mother, Ruby. During visits to the centre, you have seen Justin start to come out of his shell, make some friends. However, at today's visit, Justin appears quiet and withdrawn. He sits in a corner and draws aimlessly on a piece of paper. He doesn't engage in conversation and shies away from any interaction with his friends.

When it is time for them to leave, you see Justin pull away from Ruby. She kneels down to ask him what's wrong. You hear him tell her that he doesn't want to go home because Paul is there. Ruby says to him it will be okay, things are different now, Paul is nice, he won't hurt him. Justin starts to sob quietly.

Ruby looks up and realises you have heard them. She comes over to you and says, 'I don't want you to tell anyone about this – this is private information between us as a family. Paul is being nice to Justin – he knows he has to, or I won't let him stay. He is only here for a couple of weeks because he got a new job locally and he can't afford a place yet. He is looking for a rental, and as soon as he gets approved and has the money, he will be gone. I'm so relieved he is finally sorting himself out – Paul has stopped drinking and wants a new start to life.'

Justin starts crying louder. Ruby picks him up and leaves, refusing to enter into any further discussion on the matter.

Task resource requirements

Access to your learning materials

Access to a computer and the Internet

Child Protection Policy (provided)

Access to Microsoft Word (or a similar program)

Task Instructions

Complete the following

six tasks by answering the questions

.

What could happen if you do not exercise your duty of care in this case?

List four (4) indicators in this case study that suggest that Justin is at risk.

What are your responsibilities as an employee in this situation?

Where can you find information from inside and outside the workplace about how to deal with a suspicion of abuse?

a) What guidance does a code of ethics give in relation to this case?

.

b) Do you think this guidance incorporates the human rights of children? Explain your answer, referring to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

You decide that you will report this to your supervisor. When should you do this, and what would you do if your supervisor was not available?

Task 2: Julia

Julia works with you at Happyville Community Centre.

You have been friends with Julia for many years, whom you met at high school. You have worked together for about five years.

Julia gets on well with everyone who comes to the centre and has been a model employee. Lately, she has been going through a breakup with her husband, and she has been very touchy and losing her temper easily with others. Her behaviour has not extended to the people who come to the centre, however.

Today is a busy day due to a variety of school holiday programs. There are lots of children running around, and it is chaotic at start/end program times with everyone milling about for a chat.

A group of pre-schoolers is running around the centre while their parents chat in a corner. Julia asks the parents politely to keep an eye on them, as the children are knocking into others, entering rooms they shouldn't, and upsetting some of the quieter children. The parents call out to their kids but don't do much else as they are intent on hearing some local gossip.

Eventually, one of the children knocks into Julia, and she drops the folder of paperwork she is carrying. You see her grab the child's arm and smack the back of his legs. It isn't a hard smack, but it is enough to shock the child make them cry.

Julia realises what she has done and quickly apologises to the child. She gives him a cuddle to try to stop him from crying.

You see Julia tell him something intently, and the child nods, looking down at their feet. You have a feeling she is asking him not to say anything to anyone.

When Julia stands up, you turn away. You don't want her to know you have been watching.

Given the stress that Julia has been under and her past reputation as a 'model worker', is her behaviour excusable? Discuss this in terms of Julia's legislative responsibilities.

a) You have been a good friend of Julia's for years. What are three (3) possible ethical dilemmas in this case?

b) How would you personally deal with these three ethical dilemmas within the requirements of your role in community services?

c) Where could you obtain support if you were having trouble resolving the ethical dilemmas around this situation? Suggest three sources of support.

What action would you take to make sure you comply with organisational policies and procedures?

Task 3: Justin

You have been observing Justin since the incident that occurred in Part 1, Task 1.

Justin told you a few days ago that Paul had left their house and he was glad because he didn't like him. Justin was still very quiet and withdrawn, however.

Today, 3rd April, Ruby drops him off at the centre for an activity, and you see he is upset.

When you ask Justin what is wrong, he whispers that Paul came back to the house last night when his mum was out buying some cigarettes. Paul was drunk and angry because his mother wasn't there.

He started yelling at Justin and telling him that it was his fault that he couldn't live there with his mother, and he was getting in the way of them being together. Paul left before his mum got home.

Justin starts to cry and says he can't talk about it anymore. Paul said he's not allowed to tell anyone he was there because he will ruin everything.

Option to complete Tasks

Have your Supervisor observe you roleplay in a simulated environment by engaging in two (2) face-to-face communication activities you planned for in Tasks 3.1 and 3.2.

Task resource requirements

Access to your learning materials

Access to a computer and the Internet

Child Protection Policy (provided above)

Access to Microsoft Word

Access to two participants to conduct roleplays with

Task 3.1 Access details about upcoming marketing and promotional activities, such as objectives, resources, and timing.

1. For completing this task, you will need to read through the Child Protection Policy

2. To complete this roleplay task, you will need one participant to play the role of Justin.

You will need to locate the Part 3, Task 3.1 Participant Profiles and the Part 3, Task 3.1 Participant Form document located in the zip folder.

During this roleplay, you will need to ensure the following:

You are to talk to Justin, who is sitting in a corner playing with a soft toy

Try to gain Justin's trust so you can find out more information about his disclosure

As Justin discloses to you what has happened, you must listen, ask questions and talk to him about how he can be safe

3. Your Supervisor will be looking to see that you can:

Use child-focused communication techniques to encourage the child to disclose experience and risk of harm

Ask open-ended questions being careful not to ask leading questions

Use ethical and nurturing practices and work within professional boundaries when talking with Justin

Read and interpret the child protection policy

4. As you have your discussion with Justin, you will need to take down detailed notes of what you discuss with Justin.

You will need to locate the Part 3, Task 3.1 Written Notes document located in the zip folder.

5. Review the WPT Task 3.1 – Observation Checklist (below in this document) before starting this task. This form outlines the following:

All criteria your submission must address to complete this task satisfactorily

Your Supervisor will need to complete the observation checklist as you conduct the roleplay.

6. After completing this task, you are required to submit the following:

Completed Part 3, 3.1 Participant Forms

Completed Part 3, 3.1 Written Notes

If nothing was done about Justin's disclosure, what might be the future impact on him?

During the roleplay, did you observe the student:

1. Use child-focused communication techniques to encourage Justin to disclose his experiences and risk of harm?

For example: asking open-ended questions, avoiding leading questions, using encouraging and supportive language, assuring Justin that he will be protected, allowing Justin time to speak without interruption, etc.

Second attempt (if first was not satisfactory)

2. Use ethical and nurturing practices when talking with Justin?

For example: praising him for speaking to someone about what's going on at home, telling him that Paul is doing the wrong thing, assuring him he is not in trouble for telling them what happened, offering comfort and sympathy, etc.

Second attempt (if first was not satisfactory)

3. Maintain professional boundaries and act within the scope of their own role and responsibilities?

For example: ensuring they don't tell Justin they themselves will investigate the issue, stating that they will report the matter to their Workplace Supervisor to help, not speaking poorly of Justin's mother, not stating that they will intervene or speak to either Justin's mother or Paul, etc.

Second attempt (if first was not satisfactory)

4. Read and adhere to Happyville Community Centre Child Protection Policy (or corresponding policy from student's own workplace)?

For example: telling Justin the incident is not his fault; not prying or asking for more specific detail than Justin is comfortable disclosing; remaining honest, such as not telling Justin they will keep it a secret, or that they will personally keep him safe; praising Justin for telling someone what happened; etc.

Second attempt (if first was not satisfactory)

5. Provide Justin with guidance and encouragement to make age-appropriate decisions?

For example: telling the Police, calling a helpline for support, telling his mother or another family member that he trusts, etc.

Second attempt (if first was not satisfactory)

6. Take concise handwritten notes, accurately detailing the key points of the interaction in a non-biased or judgemental way?

For example: not using language that indicates a subjective point of view of the situation or those involved, such as opinions they may have formed of Paul or Justin's mother; writing down only factual points; avoiding the use of speculative or presumptuous language/opinions; directly quoting Justin; etc.

Second attempt (if first was not satisfactory)

Assessor Overall Feedback

Satisfactory

Not Yet Satisfactory

Date:

Date:

Comments:

Task 3.2 Access details about upcoming marketing and promotional activities, such as objectives, resources, and timing.

1. For completing this task you will need to read through the Child Protection Policy, located in the zip folder

2. To complete this roleplay task, you will need one (1) participant to play to the role of your supervisor Ian. If your participant is your supervisor, they may participate in the roleplay whilst making observations.

You will need the Part 3, Task 3.2 Participant Profiles and the Part 3, Task 3.2 Participant Form document, located within the zip folder.

During this roleplay, you will need to ensure the following:

Provide an accurate, verbal report to Ian and discuss what action should be taken from here

3. Your Supervisor will be looking to see that you can:

Report concerns to Supervisor and seek support on how to best protect the child

Respond to the child's disclosure in line with the relevant policy

Report to the Supervisor on the risk of harm indicators and circumstances of the abuse

Promote the rights of the child

Take accurate written notes of the discussion

4. As you have your discussion with your supervisor Ian, regarding Justin, you will need to take down detailed notes of what you discuss.

You will need to locate the Part 3, Task 3.2 Written notes document located in the zip folder.

5. Review the WPT Task 3.2 – Observation Checklist (below in this document) before starting this task. This form outlines the criteria your submission must address to complete this task satisfactorily

Your Supervisor will need to complete the the observation checklist as you conduct the roleplay.

6. After completing this task, you are required to submit the following:

Completed Part 3, 3.2 Participant Form

Completed Part 3, 3.2 Written Notes

During the roleplay, did you observe the student:

1. Accurately report on the events that took place with Justin in the Part A role play? This includes:

a) Explaining the risk of harm indicators they observed. For example: crying, nervousness, withdrawn behaviour, frightened of going home, avoiding physical contact with mother, bruising, etc.

b) Detailing circumstances of the abuse, such as: Paul returned to Justin's home while his mother was out; Paul became angry and verbally abused Justin; Paul physically abused Justin with his belt, leaving marks and bruises on Justin's legs; Paul threatened to hurt Justin further if he told anyone what happened; Justin doesn't think his mother knows that Paul came to their home; etc.

Second attempt (if first was not satisfactory)

2. Seek support on how to best protect Justin and promote his rights as a child?

For example: asking what steps to take next, asking how the situation will be handled, asking what they can do to help Justin stay safe, asking for ways they can support Justin in the meantime while the situation is dealt with, etc.

Second attempt (if first was not satisfactory)

3. Answer the supervisor's questions promptly and correctly? This includes:

a) Detailing what they did to make Justin calm, comfortable, and to build trust. For example: speaking softly, using positive and encouraging language, assuring him that things will be okay, assuring him that he's safe at the community centre, praising him for coming forward, etc.

b) Listing their duty of care responsibilities, as follows:

Reporting the disclosure to their manager/supervisor (you)

Recording information

Providing accurate and non-judgemental information as requested

Assisting with reporting to justin's mother and child protection/police.

c) Suggesting appropriate further action, as follows:

Speak with Justin's mother

Report the situation to Child Protection

Report the situation to the Police

Write a full report accurately detailing all events that took place to date.

Second attempt (if first was not satisfactory)

4. Adhere to the Happyville Community Centre Child Protection Policy (or corresponding policy from the student's own workplace)?

For example: reporting only factual information, remaining objective and not sharing any judgemental or biased opinions, etc.

Second attempt (if first was not satisfactory)

5. Take concise handwritten notes, accurately detailing the key points of the interaction in a non-biased or judgemental way?

For example: not using language that indicates a subjective point of view of the situation or those involved, such as opinions they may have formed of Justin or the supervisor's responses to the situation; writing down only factual points; avoiding use of speculative or presumptuous language/opinions; using direct quotes; etc.

Second attempt (if first was not satisfactory)

Assessor Overall Feedback

Satisfactory

Not Yet Satisfactory

Date:

Date:

Comments:

Task 4: Justin

You have been observing Justin since the incident that occurred in Part 1, Task 1.

You must write a report that details the facts relating to suspected abuse against Justin.

Task resource requirements

Access to your learning materials

Access to a computer and the Internet

Child Protection Policy (provided above)

Access to Microsoft Word (or a similar program)

Task Instructions

Write a full and detailed report surrounding the situation with Justin, his mother, and Paul using the

'

Report of Suspected Child Abuse – Happyville Community Centre

'

template provided

below

.

The report must:

Be an accurate account of disclosures by Justin, previous history of the situation, and observations that have been made

Include all the information as specified in the Happyville Community Centre Child Protection Policy

Be professionally written so that it could be used to provide information to child protection, the Police, and the court process

Be written in a non-judgmental manner

Child's name:

Justin Marks

Date of birth:

01/04/20XX (Age 4)

Address:

23 The Avenue, HAPPYVILLE, VIC, 3222

Reasons for concern:

What are the family circumstances?

Record of staff member observations:

Record of conversation of disclosure:

Assessment of risk of harm to the child now

Current location

At the centre – due to be picked up at 4 p.m. this afternoon when the program ends.

Information of any known history of abuse

Other relevant information (if applicable)

Name of the person recording information

]

Signature:

Date:

(Make an estimate of when this information should be recorded – date of Justin's disclosure and report to supervisor Ian was the morning of 3rd April 20XX.)

Assessor Overall Feedback

Satisfactory

Not Yet Satisfactory

Date:

Date:

Comments: