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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCS-07-00w e � J THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON REPORT Meeting: General Purpose and Administration Committee File #- Date: July 03, 2000 Res. D Report #: CS -07 -00 By -law # Subject: RECREATION PROGRAMS — CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION PROCEDURES MANUAL Recommendations: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: THAT Report No. CS -07-00 be received; and 2. THAT the Procedures outlined in the Child Abuse Prevention Procedures Manual be approved; and, 3. THAT a copy of the Child Abuse Prevention Procedures Manual be distributed to all community groups who work with or offer programs to youth in our community. 1.0 BACKGROUND 1.1 The Community Services Department operates several programs for children in which the care and custody of the participants is entrusted to Municipal Staff. 1.2 Provincial Legislation requires those entrusted with the care of children to immediately report suspected cases of physical, emotional, sexual abuse and /or neglect to the Children's Aid Society and /or Police. This applies directly to the Municipality's employees; and, ultimately to the Municipality as the employer. 1.3 The Community Services Department, in accepting that responsibility has prepared a Procedures Manual (see attachment 1) to provide proper training to staff to ensure their ability to recognize and properly identify these situations. The guide will also be provided to local Community Associations who also work with and /or offer programs to youth in our community. 1.4 The Procedures Manual has been reviewed by the Children's Aid Society and the Durham Regional Police Services for their input and comment. Subsequently, once approved, the Child Abuse Prevention Manual will be formally submitted to those agencies for their endorsement. 1001 REPORT NO.: CS -07 -00 2.0 COMMENT PAGE 2 2.1 The Community Services Department operates several programs in which children under the age of 16 are prime participants. These programs include Instructional Swimming, Recreational Swimming and Skating, March Break Day Camps, and Summer Day Camps. 2.2 The Community Services Department employs approximately 150 staff members throughout the year to operate these programs. In most cases, those staff members are under the age of twenty-five and while well trained in their field of expertise, need specific guidance when it comes to recognition of Child Abuse situations. 2.3 On occasion, staff sometimes suspect a child in their care is exposed to one or more of the conditions outlined in the Child Abuse Prevention Procedure Manual. 2.4 As required by legislation, it is the responsibility of all employees who in the course of their duties to immediately report suspected cases to the Children's Aid Society or police promptly and completely. Once this process has started, it cannot be stopped until the Children's Aid Society and /or Police have thoroughly investigated the complaint. 2.5 It is therefore important for staff to be knowledgeable of the legislation and it's implications as well as to be competent in the identification of suspected cases. 2.6 In addition, it is critical that staff, as a person entrusted with the care of children, understand how to avoid situations in which they may be accused of abuse or neglect. 3.0 RECOMMENDATION 3.1 The Community Services Department respectfully recommends the Child Abuse Prevention Procedures Manual be received, and approved for implementation commencing with the year 2000 summer program initiatives. submitted, Dirk4or of Community Services Reviewed by, Franklin Wu, M.C.I.P., R.P.P. Chief Administrative Officer 1002 ATTACHMENT #1 TO REPORT #CS -07 -00 Department of Community Services Child Abuse Prevention Procedures July 2000 1 AWP51 DATA\POLICIESICHILD.DOC 1003 Municipality of Clarington Community Services Department Draft Child Abuse Prevention Procedures Table of Contents What is Child Abuse Definition: ........................................................................................ 3 When does a child require protection? ............. ............................... 3 Duty to Report What are the policies for your organizations? .. ............................... 5 Your legal obligation! ....................................... ............................... 5 Indicators of Abuse and Neglect PhysicalAbuse ................................................ ............................... 6 SexualAbuse ................................................... ............................... 7 EmotionalAbuse .............................................. ............................... 8 Neglect............................................................. ............................... 9 Recommendations for Annual Staff Training ......... .............................10 Procedure for Accusation ............................... ............................... 11 IncidentLog ................................................... ............................... 12 Page 2- 1004 Municipality of Clarington Community Services Department Draft Child Abuse Prevention Procedures What is Child Abuse? Definition: Child abuse is any form of physical harm, emotional deprivation, sexual mistreatment or neglect, which can result in injury or psychological damage to a child. A child, according to Ontario Law, is someone under sixteen years of age or someone up to eighteen years of age if under the care of the Children's Aid Society. When does a child require protection? A child who needs protection, according to the Child and Family Services Act — also known as Bill 6, is defined by substantiation of one or more of the articles listed in the Act. • A child has suffered physical harm inflicted by the person in charge by failing to adequately care for, provide, supervise or protect the child, or where there is a pattern. • A child is likely to suffer physical harm inflicted by the person in charge by failing to adequately care for, provide, supervise or protect the child, or where there is a pattern. • A child has been sexually molested or sexually exploited. • There is a risk the child is likely to be sexually molested or sexually exploited. • Where the child requires medical treatment and the person in charge does not provide or refuses or is unavailable to unable to consent to the treatment. • Where the child has suffered emotional harm demonstrated by - anxiety - depression - withdrawal - self- destructive or aggressive behaviour - delayed development • Where the child has suffered emotional harm and the person having charge does not provide, or refuses or is unavailable or unable to consent to services or treatment. Page 3 - 1005 0 Municipality of Clarington Community Services Department Draft Child Abuse Prevention Procedures • Where the child is likely to suffer emotional harm from the actions or pattern of the person having charge of the child • Where the child is likely to suffer emotional harm from the actions or pattern of the person having charge of the child and does not provide or refuses to is unavailable or unable to consent to treatment to prevent the harm. • Where the child suffers from mental, emotional or developmental condition that if not remedied, could seriously impair the child's development or the person having charge of the child does not provide or refuses or is unavailable or unable to consent to treatment or remedy to alleviate the condition. • The child has been abandoned, the child's parent has died or is unavailable to exercise his or her custodial rights over the child and has not made adequate provision for the child's care and custody, or if the child is in a residential placement and the parent refuses or is unable or unwilling to resume the child's care and custody. • The child is less than 12 years old and has killed or seriously injured another person or caused serious damage to another person's property, services or treatment are necessary to prevent a reoccurrence and the child's parent or person having charge does not provide or refuses or is unavailable or unable to consent to those services or treatment. • The child is less than 12 years old and has killed or seriously injured another person or caused serious damage to another person's property with the encouragement of the person having charge or because that person's failure or inability to supervise the child adequately. Child abuse, therefore, can be active, such as hitting, or passive, such as withdrawal of affection or failure to provide reasonable protection from physical harm. In summary, when children are made to suffer pain, either emotional physical, they are being abused. Page 4 - 1006 Municipality of Clarington Community Services Department Draft Child Abuse Prevention Procedures Duty to Report What are the policies for organizations? Organizations offering children's recreation programs should develop clear policies on child abuse and establish effective reporting procedures. The Community Services Department has prepared this policy in conjunction with the Children's Aid Society and Durham Regional Police Services to provide guidance to staff and Community Associations who work with and offer programs to youth in our community. Your legal obligation! If you suspect that any of the following is being experienced by a child: • physical abuse • sexualabuse • emotional abuse • neglect of the child's emotional or physical well -being You are required by law to immediately report your suspicions or evidence to the Children's Aid Society or Police. This requirement to report applies even when information reported is confidential or privileged. If you are not sure, consult with your supervisor or contact the Children's Aid Society of Police for advice. Page 5 1067 Municipality of Clarington Community Services Department Draft Child Abuse Prevention Procedures Indicators of Abuse and Neglect It is required that all staff be conscious and aware of the following factors that could indicate physical, sexual, emotional abuse as well as neglect. Any observations should be noted in the daily incident log. Physical Abuse Physical abuse is the result of non - accidental injury which, in some cases, is caused by over - discipline. Although different cultures children, injuring a child is not acceptable under the law: they must be protected. may have different methods of disciplining and must be stopped. Children have rights The Child's Appearance - Look for: The Child's Behaviour - Look for: • unexplained bruises and welts • fear of physical contact • a number of scars in a regular • reluctance to undress in the change rooms pattern • staying behind after others have gone home • burn marks • apparent fear of going home • inflamed tissues suggesting . uncharacteristic/unexplained changes in scalding behaviour • unexplained fractures • adult size bite marks Injuries and/or markings which would be considered NORMAL (accidents), might be found on the forehead, knees and shins or elbows. Injuries or markings which would be considered suspicious, might be found on the nose (bridge), groin, upper front or back of thighs, upper back, buttocks or calves. Page 6 - 1 U Municipality of Clarington Community Services Department Draft Child Abuse Prevention Procedures Sexual Abuse The terms "sexual abuse," "sexual assault" or "sexual molestation" in most cases, refer to the taking advantage of a child for the sexual gratification of an adult or other young persons. This may include exposure, fondling, or intercourse. It involves engaging a child in sexual activity through threats, bribes, force or misrepresentation. The Child's Appearance — Look for: The Child's Behaviour - Look for: • difficulty in walking or sitting • reluctance to participate in physical • pain, itching, bleeding, and bruises in activities the genital or anal area • unusual knowledge of sexual behaviour tom, stained or bloody underwear demonstrated through play or pregnancy venereal diseases, especially in pre- conversation • reluctance to undress or take a shower teens in the presence of others • reports stories of sexual contact, especially when initiated by a leader • fear of normal physical contact, especially when initiated by a leader • destructive and delinquent behaviour during recreational activities • prone to running away from home • depression /suicide (attempted or gesture s of) Page 7 1009 Municipality of Clarington Community Services Department Draft Child Abuse Prevention Procedures Emotional Abuse Emotional abuse is less dramatic than physical or sexual abuse but it is subtle and insidious and in the long run can be even more damaging. Emotional abuse may be a result of, or associated with, other kinds of abuse; however, much emotional abuse is verbal, belittling, blaming, accusing, finding fault or shouting without due cause. It can also be associated with undermining or putting down the child by describing him or her in the presence of others as "slow ", "stupid" or "incapable ". Criticism rather than praise is the method of keeping the child in line. Withdrawal of affection is another way of disciplining. Emotional Abuse - The Child's Appearance - Look for: • extreme lack of confidence, withdrawal, depression • inability to concentrate, continual procrastination • extreme aggressive or passivity when playing with other children • excessive desire for leader's attention • over - participation i.e. involvement in too many activities • `has to win" attitude • inappropriate "adult" or "infantile" behaviour such as organizing or disciplining others or sulking, crying and throwing tantrums. Page 8 1 1010 Municipality of Clarington Community Services Department Draft Child Abuse Prevention Procedures Neglect Neglect is the chronic inattention to the basic needs of the child, both emotional and physical. The signs of neglect are not so obvious. The condition has probably been going on for some time, so there is less urgency; however, neglect can affect the child's maturation process and have serious long -term physiological effects. In most cases, the youth and recreation worker will get a sense that all is not well with the child and then begin to look more carefully. Neglect - The Child's Appearance - Look for: The Child's Behaviour - Look for: • _ persistent hunger; malnutrition • Demands for constant attention form • uder- weight; dehydration the leader • poor hygiene; dirtiness; lice; skin • lack of parental participation and disorders associated with improper interest hygiene • indications that no one is ever home • persistent fatigue and listlessness to look after him /her inappropriate clothing for weather . obvious lack of energy when playing • inadequate supervision; child left in the care of another child too young to protect him/her • unattended sores and cuts and other medical needs. Page 9 - 1011 Municipality of Clarington Community Services Department Draft Child Abuse Prevention Procedures Recommended Annual Staff Training 1. That an annual meeting with the Durham Regional Police Services and the Children's Aid Society be set up to review all the information required to protect the program staff from sexual harassment/abuse charges. 2. That the above groups meet with the staff to review updated legislation and to advise on areas of concern. 3. To ensure that all staff are trained and knowledgeable of their responsibilities regarding sexual harassment/abuse and neglect. 4. That an orientation outlining the policy and requirements be attended by all staff with each member receiving a copy of the policy. 5. Above all, ensure that staff members do not give any grounds for accusations by following staff and volunteer responsibilities. Page 10 - 1 0 1 2 Municipality of Clarington Community Services Department ` Draft Child Abuse Prevention Procedures Procedure for Accusation In the event a staff member or volunteer is accused of any form of abuse, the following steps are to be adhered to: Immediately report the incident/charge to the Program Coordinator. Supply all written notes concerning the child /incident to the Program Coordinator. Comply with the Children's Aid Society request for information answering fully and honestly. Comply with the Durham Regional Police request for information answering fully and honestly. Do not answer questions from the press or general public. The Director of Community Services or his representative is responsible for any communication to the above groups. Police and Children's Aid Society investigators have a statutory responsibility to investigate allegations of child sexual abuse. If you are directly accused, contact your Supervisor immediately. Under the Charter of Freedom and Rights, you have the right to seek Legal Counsel. Page 11 - 1013 Municipality of Clarington Community Services Department Draft Child Abuse Prevention Procedures Incident Log LOCATION: NAME DATE & TYPE OF EVENT TIME DATE & TIME SIGNATURE WITNESS Page 12 1014