Chi=
ld
Protection Policy
for=
Therapy
in România
Introduction to the organisati=
on
Therapy=
in
România is a private organisation working to develop therapy services=
in
NGOs and government institutions within România. It provides training=
and
supervision for professionals such as psychologists, social workers, care
staff, teachers and educatorii. It offers therapy with children and adults,
both individually and in groups. In the case of children, the therapy is of=
ten
observed by a local professional, who can then take over the therapy,
developing it according to the children’s needs and within the cultur=
al
context.
Introduction to the child prot=
ection
policy
Althoug=
h Therapy
in România is privately run, it works closely with NGOs in Româ=
nia such
as fundatia. It therefore bases its child protection policy on Setting the Standard: Child protection
policy for international non-governmental organisations (Copyright &cop=
y;
2003 Tearfund and NSPCC – download available from www.peopleinaid.org). Its policy is
outlined below. This is in the process of development, and changes will be
notified to NGOs and others as they become available. A full review of the
policy will be made by the end of August 2009.
Standard 1: Policy
This policy is based on the United Nations Convention on=
the
Rights of Children, under which protection of children (up the age of 18) f=
rom
abuse and exploitation is paramount. The policy is in the process of being
approved by Way Through Ministries, who provide Therapy in România with emotional, advi=
sory and
spiritual support. It will then be circulated to all those associated with =
Therapy
in România, inc=
luding
partners, clients and their parents/carers, trainees and supervisees.
Therapy in România is deeply committed to protecting children it works =
with
from all forms of abuse, including sexual, physical and emotional abuse. It
will also seek wherever possible to protect children from neglect, abandonm=
ent
and exploitation. Children need protecting where they live (family or care
home) as well as from any dangers posed at school, in the street or by visi=
tors
such as foreign volunteers.
Therapy in România recognises that when child abuse is suspected, child=
ren
often experience unintentional abuse by being separated from family members=
or
placed in care. It will seek wherever possible to put the child’s nee=
ds
first in such situations.
Therapy in România will seek to establish a good working relationship w=
ith
local Child Protection Departments whenever possible.
Standard 2: Procedures and sys=
tems
Where abuse is suspected or reported of a child in its
programmes, Therapy in România will in the first instance call a case
conference for all those involved, including social workers, teachers, medi=
cal
staff, therapist and others concerned in the day-to-day welfare of the chil=
d.
Appropriate steps will be proposed to ensure that the abuse is prevented and
that the child is given as much protection as possible. If it is deemed
appropriate, or if the adults involved cannot agree, the local Child Protec=
tion
Department will be informed of the outcome of the conference and invited to
play an active part. If it is likely that a crime has been committed, the
police will be informed so that they can conduct an investigation. This will
uphold the law and hopefully prevent further abuse.
All such discussion of a child will be recorded and note=
s kept
in a secure, locked cabinet. Confidentiality to protect the child’s
rights will be respected unless the child’s safety is at risk. Everyo=
ne
involved in discussion about a suspected incident of child abuse will agree=
to
these levels of confidentiality.
Therapy in România will aim to provide appropriate
therapy for the child and for others concerned. If the child is expected la=
ter
to be called as a witness, the therapy will be conducted within the guideli=
nes
of other European countries, where therapy avoids direct discussion of deta=
ils
of the abuse until after the case has been heard in court.
Complaints about people working for or associated with T=
herapy
in Româ<=
span
lang=3DEN-GB style=3D'font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Rom=
an"'>nia
should be addressed to the designated child protection officer Roger Day
(mobile telephone 0746 463 346). Should the complaint need to be made about
Roger Day or any member of his family the emergency designated child protec=
tion
officer is Samuel Pripon, a Românian
social worker (mobile telephone 0728 097 433).
Standard 3: Prevention
Therapy=
in
România requires anyone wanting to work for them in whatever capacity=
to
fill in a form in which they declare any previous criminal convictions. If =
such
convictions are likely to put children at risk, Therapy in România
reserves the right to refuse the services of the person, whether the servic=
es
are voluntary or not. In addition, each person will need to provide at least
two written character references about them from trustworthy people.
Wherever possible, associates of Therapy in România
will be police checked to ensure as much as possible that they are safe to =
work
with children. In Rom=
ânia
this is done through the person requesting a cazier. In the
In the
If abuse is later suspected by an associate, the person
concerned will be suspended while a full investigation is conducted by Ther=
apy
in Româ<=
span
lang=3DEN-GB style=3D'font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Rom=
an"'>nia,
the local Child Protection Department and/or the police. If the abuse is
confirmed, the person will be removed from the books of Therapy in
România and recommended to undergo intensive therapy. He or she will =
be
deemed a danger to children and steps may be taken to warn other groups of =
the
person’s danger to children.
Therapy in România strongly recommends that anyone
going on a short-term trip to România be required to have a police ch=
eck
and Therapy in Rom&ac=
irc;nia
as well as the sending organisation (church, charity or business) keep a co=
py
of their check on file. (The sending organisation may need to be registered
under local data protection legislation in order to do this.) While not a
fool-proof method, police checking ensures that the individual is at least
being willing to be open and honest about past and present criminal
convictions, particularly in relation to children.
Photographs of children used on websites or in emails wi=
ll seek
not to give the name or location of the child or provide other information =
that
could be used abusively in any way. Where possible, permission from the
parent/carer of the child concerned will be obtained in advance of the use =
of
the photograph. Part of this permission is to inform the parent/carer exact=
ly
how the picture will be used, including any captions or digital change
proposed.
Standard 4: Codes of practice =
and
behaviour
Therapy in România’s therapeutic work is undertaken in a way that
ensures safe, ethical practice. The therapist makes sure that someone else =
is present
in the building where the work is being done. In many cases the person (suc=
h as
a translator or psychologist observing the therapy) is present in the room.=
In
other cases, the person is outside the room. This could be a parent waiting=
for
her child, a fellow therapist or even someone else living in the building. =
If
that person is aware that therapy is going on, he or she can be attuned to =
any
difficulties and available in case of problems.
Almost all therapy takes place in a room with the door s=
hut.
This is standard practice for most therapists. There are instances, however,
when leaving the door slightly ajar can be therapeutically justified, even =
if
it means compromising confidentiality by risking someone overhearing what is
happening. The child with extreme anxiety or claustrophobia is a case in po=
int.
So too is the child who has been subjected to sexual abuse behind a closed
door, such as a bedroom or bathroom. In these instances, not only does the
client feel safe but the therapist can feel less vulnerable.
Child clients are generally expected to stay in the room
throughout the session. There are a few exceptions to this rule. These incl=
ude
children who have experienced being locked in their bedroom as a punishment=
and
those who have not been allowed out of a room until they have engaged in a
sexual activity with an abuser. In these rare instances the therapist gives=
the
child permission to leave the room as often as she/he needs to.
Therapy in România’s therapists will sometimes video or tape-reco=
rd
the session, with the agreement of the parent/carer and the child concerned=
. The
video or tape is for note-taking and training and is kept in a locked cabin=
et.
It is available for loan to the parent/carer only with the clear agreement =
of
the child and the therapist.
Since most issues with children impact on and are affect=
ed
by the system (family, school, etc), it is sometimes appropriate to involve=
the
parent/carer, brothers and sisters or social worker in some or all of the
sessions. Having another person present, providing it is therapeutically
justified, is a major contribution towards safe, ethical practice. It is
especially important with the child who is either flirtatious or is known t=
o be
acting out sexually.
In its training and supervision work, Therapy in România will help trainees and supervisees =
to
identify any potential child protection issues in their work. It is for the
trainee/supervisee to take forward any child protection measures needed, wi=
th
support from Therapy in România.
Therapy in România wants to encourage visitors to =
its
work to have physical contact with children it cares for and those it visit=
s. Many
children in
At the same time it is important to avoid any possible
misunderstanding or appearance of doing wrong. Excellent work could be
jeopardised by an accusation in this area, even if at a later date it was f=
ound
to be unsubstantiated. With this in mind associates and visitors are asked =
to
consider seriously the following suggestions, based on Therapy in România̵=
7;s
Safe Touch policy:
1. Alway=
s have
other people in sight
Avoid being on your own with a child of any age.
2. Ensur=
e that
the child wants the physical contact you are offering
Where possible make eye contact with the child and indic=
ate
with gestures (or verbally, if you have the language) what you propose, wai=
ting
for the child's clear agreement. This is whether you are offering a hug,
touching a shoulder, holding a hand, tickling or play fighting. If you beli=
eve
a child may have been abused, it is important to avoid hugging, tickling and
play fighting until they have learned the difference between ‘good=
217;
touching and ‘bad’ touching.
3. Touch=
in
appropriate areas only
Consciously avoid touching the child in areas of the body
that would be covered by a swimming costume. The only exceptions are when
changing or washing a baby or very small child, or helping a disabled child=
in
the toilet or washing themselves. Touching the leg above the knee is also
generally not acceptable.
4. Be ca=
utious
about having a child on your lap
Men are strongly advised to avoid children sitting on th=
eir
laps. In exceptional circumstances they may let a small child sit on the kn=
ee
end of their lap.
5. Avoid
face-to-face hugging of a girl who has begun to develop
This is especially important with men. Instead of a face-to-face hug, try an arm on the shoulder 'sideways hug'. This satisfies= the older girl's need for closeness and avoids inappropriate physical contact.<= o:p>
Special
precautions are required when working with children who have a disability
because of the increased risk of physical abuse or sexual exploitation. Onl=
y in
very exceptional circumstances will an associate of Therapy in Români=
a be
alone with a disabled child. Helping the child change clothes or to go to t=
he
toilet must always be done with the door open and, if at all possible, in t=
he
presence of another adult.
Therapy=
in
România’s child-child policy includes addressing any public or
age-inappropriate sexualised behaviour with another child, whether or not t=
he
two children are of the same age. While such behaviour may provide useful t=
herapeutic
clues to the child’s possible problematic background, it is essential
that such behaviour is addressed to avoid any abuse arising as a result.
Childre=
n will be
encouraged strongly to respect each other at all times. This includes avoid=
ing
any physical or verbal aggression towards another child because of the
child’s own anger problems.
Standard 5: Implementation in
different country and local contexts
Therapy=
in
România works in Bihor, Bucovina,
Aspects=
of the
child protection policy may need to be adjusted when taking account of
different cultures. For instance, the Romii forced marriages of very young
adolescents to each other (some only 12 or 13), with subsequent proof of
consummation of the liaison, while unacceptable by other Românians an=
d by
Standard 6: Equity
From its
inception, Therapy in România has been deeply committed to equality f=
or
children and adults it is involved with, regardless of culture, language,
religious adherence, age, gender, level of disability, socio-economic group=
or
sexual preference. It recognises that children from abandoned or Romii
backgrounds, or those with a disability, face particular difficulties in so=
ciety.
It provides subsidised therapy for such children. In all its training progr=
ammes
it promotes equality and protection for children. It runs specific training=
on
these topics and it provides special subsidies for adults with a disability=
or
from a Romii background wanting to attend one or more training events.
Standard 7: Communication syst=
ems
Therapy=
in
România intends to provide leaflets explaining its child protection
policy. These will take account of the latest policy decisions within the
cultural context. Therapy in România’s website and associated
websites will contain a summary of the policy and means of obtaining the fu=
ll
policy.
Wherever
possible, children’s views on protecting themselves will be heard and
included within the policy. For instance, a child who had been severely
sexually abused came up with a form of words that is now being used regular=
ly
(at the child’s express request) with other children in România
when educating them on abuse and how to help prevent it happening to them in
future.
Standard 8: Education and trai=
ning
Therapy=
in
România provides training about child protection for its associates. =
This
training is based on its own policy as well as including resources from exp=
erts
in the
As part=
of a
half-day orientation training for short-term visitors, Therapy in Româ=
;nia
provides basic training on child protection, including its own Safe Touch
policy (referred to in Standard 4 above).
Drawing=
on the
wisdom of play therapy experts in the West, Therapy in România provid=
es
wherever possible simple sex education and ways of preventing abuse for
children it is working with who have been sexually abused in the past. This=
is
with the prior agreement of parents/carers.
Standard 9: Access to advice a=
nd
support
Therapy=
in
România is aware of the importance for children being abused to have a
way of getting help. It favours the model exemplified in the
As an i=
nterim
measure, children who are being helped by Therapy in România will be
provided with telephone contact details of two or three trusted people who =
they
can telephone in the event of abuse happening. While total confidentiality
cannot be promised, the child will be informed clearly that where possible =
any
alleged abuser will not be informed without the child’s approval.
Standard 10: Implementation and
monitoring
Therapy=
in
România as a small organisation is able to monitor any incidents of
noncompliance with its child protection policy and to take appropriate acti=
on
quickly. Any such incidents will start with a strategy meeting to propose a=
way
forward.
In the =
case of a
child at risk of being abused, a case conference will then be called of all
professionals involved with the child. Decisions about the way forward,
including any involvement by the local Child Protection Department, will be
made at the case conference. If it is likely that a crime has be=
en
committed, the police will be informed so that they can conduct an
investigation. This will uphold the law and hopefully prevent further abuse=
.
In the =
case of a
complaint being made about a staff member or associate, Therapy in
România’s own supervision network will be involved as quickly as
possible. This will include its two
Standard 11: Working with part=
ners
Therapy=
in
România seeks to work cooperatively with other organisations within
România, including charities, consortia, churches and government
organisations. Such partnerships will include Therapy in România
providing training, consultancy, supervision and therapy for professionals =
as
well as for adults and children being helped by the organisation.
Therapy=
in
România expects such partnership organisations to have in place, or b=
e in
the process of developing, their own child protection policy and procedures.
Such policy and procedures need to be consistent with the standards outline=
d in
this document. Therapy in România is willing to help organisations on=
a
consultancy basis to implement a child protection policy and procedures bef=
ore
doing any other work with them.
Child p=
rotection
issues that arise as a result of working with partners will be referred bac=
k to
the partner organisation by Therapy in România for appropriate action=
.
Roger Day
Child Protection Officer
February 2007
Therapy
in România, Trotusului Nr 4,
Romtelecom:
0259 467 023 RDS: 0359 445 45=
8
Email:
romaniaretreat@hotmail.com
Website:
www.therapyinromania.org.uk=