Child protection

A child protection policy acknowledges that children are vulnerable and may be subject to harm or abuse. It is never acceptable for a child to be abused. All child abuse involves the abuse of children’s rights. NDCS must take steps to prevent abuse wherever it can, and respond to the needs of all children it comes into contact with whenever it suspects they are being abused.  

Children have the right to be protected from all forms of abuse and neglect. This is stated in both domestic legislation – The Children Act 1989 – and in international law – the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989), Article 19 states: “Parties shall protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse”.

This document states what NDCS or a LDCS will do to minimise the risks and what steps we will take to ensure the safety of children using our services and/or premises. The policy contained in Section 2 and the guidelines attached will help staff and volunteers to be clear about expectations, boundaries and procedures. Please note that throughout this document the term “Child” refers to anyone under the age of 18 and that the term “Staff” refers to all those persons to whom this policy applies and includes paid staff, volunteers, partner agencies, plus other individuals that NDCS engages to work with children such as consultants, researchers, journalists etc.