Child Safeguarding at Nurture Paediatrics

Every child and young person deserves to feel safe, respected and heard.

Our commitment to tamariki and rangatahi

Every child and young person deserves to feel safe, respected and heard.

At Nurture Paediatrics, we see every child as maurea, a unique treasure. Safeguarding is central to our mahi and to the trust that tamariki, rangatahi and whānau place in us.

We are committed to creating an environment where:

  • children and young people feel safe to be themselves

  • their voice, dignity, culture and mana are protected

  • whānau are welcomed as partners in care

  • concerns are noticed early and taken seriously

  • people can speak up without blame or shame

  • staff understand their responsibilities and professional boundaries

  • action is taken when a child may be unsafe

Our Child Safeguarding and Protection Policy applies to every child and young person under 18 who receives our services or interacts with people working at Nurture.

Your child’s rights at Nurture

When receiving care at Nurture, tamariki and rangatahi have the right to:

  • be treated with respect, fairness and dignity

  • feel safe and be protected from harm

  • understand what is happening and why

  • ask questions and receive information in a way they can understand

  • be involved in decisions about their care

  • say no, ask us to stop or request a break

  • have their words and non-verbal communication taken seriously

  • have a caregiver, whānau member or support person involved where appropriate

  • request time to speak privately with their clinician when this is appropriate

  • have their culture, identity, communication and accessibility needs respected

  • tell us if something does not feel right

  • make a complaint and have it taken seriously

These commitments align with the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights, including the rights to respect, dignity, effective communication, information, informed choice, consent, support and a fair response to complaints

How we help keep children safe

Safeguarding is more than responding when harm has already occurred. It includes building a safe culture, supporting whānau early and maintaining clear professional boundaries.

People working with children through Nurture are expected to:

  • complete appropriate identity, reference, registration and safety checks

  • undergo Police vetting where required by law or by Nurture’s safeguarding standards

  • complete safeguarding induction and ongoing training

  • follow our Child Safeguarding and Protection Policy and Code of Conduct

  • seek children’s ongoing consent and assent

  • use clinically appropriate, clearly explained touch

  • protect privacy during assessment, treatment and changing

  • use Nurture-approved communication channels

  • maintain appropriate personal, digital and social-media boundaries

  • report child-safety concerns, boundary concerns and concerning patterns

  • cooperate with safeguarding, professional and employment processes

We also require safeguarding undertakings from relevant contractors, room licensees, students, observers, volunteers and regular visitors.

Raising a concern with Nurture

You can raise a concern if:

  • a child has said something that worries you

  • you have noticed an unexplained injury or change

  • something during an appointment did not feel right

  • you are concerned about a staff member or another adult

  • you have noticed a professional boundary concern

  • you are worried about another child’s behaviour

  • you are concerned about online contact or communication

  • your whānau needs support and you are unsure where to begin

Nurture’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Lead is Amanda Meys.

If Amanda is unavailable, has a conflict of interest, or the concern relates to Amanda, please contact the Nurture Manager at manager@nurturepaeds.co.nz.

You do not need proof before raising a concern. Please tell us what you observed, heard or experienced. We will listen and consider the safest next step.

Get help or report a concern

If someone is in immediate danger

Call 111 for Police, Fire or Ambulance.

For a non-emergency Police matter, call 105 or use the Police 105 online reporting service. New Zealand Police advises using 111 when something is happening now or someone is in danger.

Concern about a child

Contact Oranga Tamariki:

You can contact Oranga Tamariki even if you are uncertain whether abuse or neglect has occurred and want to discuss your worries with a social worker.

Support for tamariki, rangatahi and whānau