Child Protection Policy

At Acorn, the well-being and safety of every child under our care are paramount. We adhere to all legislative obligations and guidelines, including those outlined in the Vulnerable Children's Act 2014.

  • All Acorn staff are police vetted.

  • If a staff member has a concern about a child being in immediate danger, the staff member will report the concerns to the Clinical Manager as soon as possible, who will advise on the next steps in order to protect the child. If the Clinical Manager is not available, the staff member will make contact with the Managing Director.

  • If the child is in immediate danger, unaccompanied or missing, staff will contact 111 immediately.

  • Any concerns regarding child safety will be documented in an Acorn Record of Concern form.

In accordance with the Vulnerable Children’s Act 2014, Acorn and its personnel are mandated to respond to protection concerns, encompassing issues such as abuse or neglect, without requiring authorisation from guardians.

  • Such concerns may be identified through disclosure from the child or family member, or by recognising signs and symptoms in a child. In the event of such occurrences, information may be disclosed to relevant parties (e.g., Oranga Tamariki) to ensure the safety and well-being of the child. Acorn will endeavour to involve the client/parent/caregiver in this process; however, it is acknowledged that this may not always be feasible.

  • If an Acorn employee is concerned that a child or family member poses a safety risk to themselves or others, we hold a duty to inform their caregiver/guardian, as well as pertinent parties (e.g. law enforcement/mental health services/family members) who can assist in ensuring the safety of your child and/or others.

  • Acorn may be legally obliged to disclose client information. We must comply with court requests for assessments, treatment reports, and other personal information from your file. In such circumstances, we will endeavour to notify the client/parent/caregiver in advance and will only release the minimum information required by law.