GMA7a STAFF SAFETY CHECKING POLICY

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RATIONALE

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that there is a procedure to ensure all those working with tamariki at Geraldine preschool are safety checked in accordance with the Vulnerable Children’s Act 2014 and that we comply with the Ministry of Education’s Early Childhood Education licensing criteria, specifically GMA7a.

Position Statement

• Geraldine Preschool ensures the safety of tamariki through a robust staff selection process.
• All new children’s workers who have access to children are safety checked as per the Vulnerable Children’s Act 2014 and Children’s (Requirements for Safety Checks of Children’s Workers) Regulations 2015.
• Safety checks must be undertaken and the results obtained before the staff member has access to children.
• Every children’s worker must be safety checked every three years. Safety checks may be carried out by the employer or another person or organisation acting on their behalf (eg. Teachers council).
• The results of the safety checks must be recorded and the record kept as long as the person is employed at the service.

Procedures

Management will complete a safety check (including Police Vetting) in accordance with the Children’s (Requirements for Safety Checks of Children’s Workers) Regulations 2015 for new employees.  It comprises of 7 components:

• Verification of identity (including previous identities)

We require two forms of current identification from prospective staff.  At least one form of identification must be primary id.

• Recruitment  interview

All prospective staff are expected to participate in a recruitment interview.  The interview not only examines the background of the candidate, but also their suitability to demonstrate the values of our centre and in a manner that meets the expectations of this policy.

• Information about work history

We look for a work history that is clear and transparent.  Any issues will be noted on the work history and referred to in the employment interview.

• Referee information

We undertake a minimum of two referee checks.

Questions re suitability to working with children, past investigations or disciplinary action etc will be discussed with the candidate prior to employment.

• Information from Teaching Council

For potential teaching staff with a current practicing certificate, we will check with the teaching Council to ensure there are no endorsements that reflect concerns over the safe practice with children.

• Police Vet Check Report

We will obtain a current Police vet check report to identify any issue in the individual’s recent background that would reflect children at our centre might be at risk.

OR

We accept a registered teacher’s current practicing certificate as evidence that a current Police vet check report has been obtained by the Education Council and has met their criteria.

• Risk Assessment

On the basis of these safety checking steps, we will then form a view about the suitability of staff to work as a “Children’s Worker” under the Act.  The view will be recorded on the staff member’s personnel file.

Repeating safety checks every three years – We will repeat safety check on staff every three years.

• Seek two forms of current identification
• We expect all registered, certified teachers to maintain their certification with the Teaching Council and ensure a copy of their current practicing certificate is held on file.
• We will ensure staff have a current police vet report every three years

              OR

We will ensure we have a copy of the current practicing certificate for all certified teachers.

• We will complete a reviewed risk assessment every three years.

Personnel records

We retain information gathered to comply with this Staff Safety Checking Policy in individual personnel files.  Police vet check reports, where gathered, are retained for three years until replaced with a more current version.  All personnel records are kept strictly confidential in secure storage for up to seven years following the cessation of employment.

Police vets will be kept for at least as long as the vetted person is employed or engaged.

Police vets for overseas children’s workers

Children’s workers who lived overseas for more than 1 year within the last 10 years should provide a Police certificated from the country where they lived.

If a children’s worker cannot provide you with a Police certificate, they need to prove that they tried to get one.  They must also make a statutory declaration under the Oaths and Declarations Act about whether they have any overseas criminal convictions.

Protected Disclosure

When a staff member or associate brings a case of suspected child abuse to the attention of centre Management, our centre will not disclose the name of the person without their permission unless it is to CYFS or the Police and is necessary to do so in the interest of the child.

Links to:

• Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008
• Ministry of Education Early Childhood Education Licensing Criteria Governance and Management GMA7a
• Children’ Act 2014 and associated regulations
• Child Protection Policy

Date approved: May 2025        

Review date: May 2026