The CSO seeks to ensure that children are protected from harm when interacting with staff of this Office, in any capacity.
The CSO will continue to:
- Acknowledge the rights of children to be protected, treated with respect, listened to, and have their own views taken into consideration.
- Recognise that the welfare of children must always come first, regardless of all other considerations.
- Adopt the safest possible practices to minimise the possibility of harm or accidents happening to children and protect employees from the necessity to take risks and leave themselves open to accusations of harm, abuse or neglect.
- Develop procedures for responding to accidents and complaints.
- Provide child protection training for employees where necessary. This should clarify the responsibilities of both the organisation and individuals, and clearly show the procedures if child abuse, neglect or harm are suspected.
- Co-operate with any other childcare and protection agencies and professionals by sharing appropriate information when necessary and working together towards the best possible outcome for the children concerned.
