Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy

Purpose

Flourish Clinical Psychology is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children. This policy outlines our commitment and provides guidance on how we ensure that our policies and practices support child safety and wellbeing.

Scope of policy and practice

This policy applies to all leaders, employees, and contractors of Flourish Clinical Psychology. The policy applies to all activities which involve, result in, or relate to contact with children, or impact the safety and wellbeing of children. Flourish Clinical Psychology provides psychological services to adults, and young people aged 16 and above. The organisation does not provide services to children under the age of 16 years.

Definitions

“Child/children” or “Young person/people” means any person under the age of 18 years.

“Child harm or abuse” refers to any kind of abuse which affects a child sexually, physically, and/or emotionally and can include: sexual abuse, physical abuse of any kind, neglect, harsh or unjust punishment, repeated criticisms and put-downs, constant ridicule, ritual abuse, and verbal abuse.

“Child sexual abuse” means any act that exposes a child or young person to, or involves a child or young person in, sexual activities that they do not understand, they do not or cannot consent to, are not accepted by the community, are inappropriate to their age and developmental level, and/or are unlawful.

“Mandatory reporting” means reporting of all reasonable beliefs of child sexual abuse to the Department of Communities as required by Western Australian legislation.

“Cultural safety” is the positive recognition and celebration of cultures and cultural differences, as well as recognition of the impact of inequities in power and privilege.

Mature minors

Young people between 16-18 years will be assessed for their capacity as a mature minor on initial assessment, and as appropriate throughout their engagement with the organisation. Assessment of capacity as a mature minor will take into consideration the young person’s ability to comprehend the nature, consequences, risks and benefits of any proposed course of action, including consenting to treatment, making other health care decisions, authorising the sharing of information, and demanding confidentiality. The organisation will respect the capacity of mature minors to make these decisions. Assessment of capacity as a mature minor will be documented as appropriate.

Where any risk of harm to the young person or others is identified, or where necessary for a young person’s immediate wellbeing, any necessary steps will be taken to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of the young person, which may include breaking of confidentiality. Where there is a legal requirement for disclosure, the organisation will comply with all legal requirements.

Identification of and responding to abuse

Flourish Clinical Psychology is committed to taking action to identify any harm or abuse to children, and take appropriate action. Any reasonable belief of child abuse will be reported to the Department of Communities. This includes, but is not limited to, child sexual abuse. Psychologists are legally required to make a mandatory report in the case of a reasonable belief of child sexual abuse.

Informing and involving children and young people

Flourish Clinical Psychology recognises the importance of children and young people being informed and involved in their own care. Children and young people will be informed about this policy, and their rights and responsibilities, during the intake process, in a manner that is age appropriate, and sensitive to the needs of the young person, including confidentiality.

Children and young people are encouraged to discuss issues of safety and wellbeing at any time. At a minimum, this will be considered and discussed during treatment reviews.  Any concerns relating to child safety and wellbeing that are identified during assessment, treatment, or review, will be prioritised for immediate action.

Flourish Clinical Psychology recognises the importance of friendships and social support with peers for the safety and wellbeing of children and young people, and this will be considered during assessment, treatment planning, and review.

Informing and involving parents and caregivers

Flourish Clinical Psychology recognises the importance of the participation of families in the care of their children. Parents and caregivers will be informed about this policy, and their rights and responsibilities, during the intake process. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to discuss issues of safety and wellbeing at any time. Parents and caregivers will be given the opportunity to be involved in assessment, treatment planning, and treatment reviews, and this will be documented.

Equity and cultural safety

Flourish Clinical Psychology is committed to understanding and celebrating every individual’s diverse circumstances, including culture, language, religion, sex, gender, abilities, and identity.  We aim to continuously build and improve our understanding of each person’s strengths, needs, and cultural context. We strive to recognise the impact of inequities in power and privilege, and make every effort to provide services in an equitable, accessible, sensitive and appropriate manner, to promote equity and cultural safety.

Young people and their families will be invited to participate in the identification of their individual and cultural strengths and needs during the assessment process, and collaboratively discuss how the service can best support them. Children, young people and families are encouraged to discuss any issues related to equity and cultural safety during treatment reviews, and at any time.

Professional competence and development

The organisation will ensure that all employees and contractors remain compliant with relevant registration requirements, including holding a valid working with children check. Child safety and wellbeing will be included in the professional development plan of staff each year, with the aim of continuously improving the service.

Issues pertaining to child safety and wellbeing will be considered in the conceptualisation, treatment planning, and clinical supervision processes. When practical limitations prevent the provision of appropriate services, clients will be referred onto more appropriate services.

Safety of physical and online environments

Flourish Clinical Psychology will make every effort to ensure that the therapy environment, whether conducting face-to-face or telehealth therapy, is safe for children and young people.

Flourish Clinical Psychology will ensure that physical and online environments of the child are included in the initial assessment process, goal setting, and treatment review to identify any risks to child safety and wellbeing.

Responsibilities

Samantha Fitt (Director) is responsible for the following:

Relevant Legislation and Standards

This policy has been informed by the following documents:

Related policies

The following organisational policies are relevant to, and provide additional information regarding child safety and wellbeing:

These policies will be regularly reviewed to ensure that they support child safety and wellbeing.

Policy status and review

This policy is current as at 21 November 2024. This policy will be reviewed annually.