A new year... a new opportunity to keep children safe and eliminate child abuse in New Zealand! Read on...
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Rachel McGuire
Marketing and Communications Adviser
In this issue...
A word from the CEO
Take the Pledge!
ISO Funding Opportunities
Important information for schools/ECE's
Childrens Action Plan... What can Organisations do now?
5 Questions to ask your child's school
A proud announcement
Very Special publication Offer
Child Matters Training Calendar
Closing words from our participants
A word from the CEO
Every Day can be Children’s Day
Each year on the first Sunday of March, we observe National Children’s Day. This is a time when communities and families come together and celebrate the children in their lives. It is a time to reflect on the value and uniqueness of every child, the treasure that each is, and the joy that they bring.
It is also a wonderful opportunity to think about what each of us can do to ensure that every child flourishes and reaches their potential. It is a time to make a commitment to protect our children – a commitment to be honoured not just on Children’s Day, but every day. To be a pair of eyes and a voice for children, to make sure that they are loved and well cared for and to speak up if we are concerned that all is not well.
I invite you to join with hundreds of others who have resolved to “take the pledge” and act on behalf of children who need their help.
Anthea Simcock
CEO
Child Matters
Take the Pledge
 Join the hundreds of people who have already taken the pledge, and make your commitment to taking action to protect our children...
This year, make a resolution that will make a difference in the lives of children. If you have concerns about a child, trust your instincts and do something. By acting on our concerns we can build safer, stronger communities for our children.
Click here to Take the Pledge.
ISO Funding Opportunity...
 If you have a contract with MSD, you are eligible to apply for funding through MSD's Investing for Services for Outcomes (ISO). Their Capability Investment Resource will inject $31.65 million to support the social sector to work in even stronger, more flexible, results-focused, innovative and integrated ways.
Click here to find out more about Investing for Services for Outcomes (ISO)
Important information for Schools and ECE's
If schools/kura, early childhood and other education facilities have concerns about the safety of any adult within their school, there is now an additional new avenue available to them to report their concerns.
If they have an adult in or associated with their facility that they believe may be sexually offending against children and young people then they can now ring Jill Bond, GM Regional Operations at the Ministry of Education.
Jill has the responsibility to ensure that all reported incidents are recorded and acted on and managed appropriately at a national and local level. This process has been designed to complement the current policies and procedures in schools.
All schools/ECE's are encouraged to contact Jill directly with any questions or concerns they may have at jill.bond@minedu.govt.nz or 04 463 2839 or 0274 950 282. Equally, CYF or the Police can also be contacted in these instances.
Children's Action Plan - What can organisations do now?
 The Children's Action Plan provides a framework to achieve the fundamental changes contained in the Government's White Paper for Vulnerable Children.
It is a living document that continues to evolve as the Government, and those charged with leading each work stream, progress through refining the details and developing implementation plans.
While the details are being worked through, many organisations are wondering what the implications will be for them. Child Matters can support those organisations that would like to be a step ahead in meeting their training, policy, vetting and other requirements as they plan and adapt for the upcoming changes.
Find out more about how Child Matters can contribute to the key areas of the Childrens Action Plan here.
Is your Child's School Safe?
As parents we expect, rightly, that our children will be safe at school. However, we often read new articles about teachers physically and emotionally abusing children in their care, incidences of sexual offenders of children moving from one school to another, and extreme cases of bullying.
Find out the five questions you can ask your children’s schools to give you an idea of whether they are doing enough to keep your children safe.
A proud announcement!
 We are very proud to acknowledge our CEO, Anthea Simcock, for being awarded a New Zealand Order of Merit for services to child welfare.
This is a very well deserved honour...
Read more...
Publication Offer - Only a few days left!
 Our publication offer that we shared with you last week, has really taken off! So much so that we have now run out of all copies of the book 'Is That You Daddy'.
Because the value pack was so popular, we have created a new offer that still gives you the same excellent value! This pack will be an excellent addition to your organisation's resource library.
1 x Hidden in Front of Us (RRP $24.95)
1 x Safe Not Sorry (RRP $19.95)
10 x How Can I Tell? (RRP $2.00 each)
Your Price $49.00. (This pack has a $64.90 value - saving you $15.90!)
This is a very limited offer and only available until 28 February 2013 or while stocks last, so order yours today!
Click here to order your Essential Child Protection Resources - Value Pack
Click here to find out more about Child Matters' publications.
Training Calendar
 Have you planned your professional development for 2013 yet? Click here to view our Training Calendar for all of our training dates for 2013. Courses can fill fast so book early to secure your place!
Child Protection Studies PROGRAMME
Child Protection Studies Programmes coming up in the next 2 months...
- Kaitaia - 25 Feb - 1 Mar 2013
- Rotorua 11-15 March 2013
- Auckland South 18-22 March 2013
- Hamilton 8-12 April 2013
- Invercargill 8-12 April 2013
- Christchurch 29 April - 3 May
Click here for a Programme Enrolment Form.
Child Protection Studies DIPLOMA - ENROL NOW!
Time is running out to enrol in the 2013 Child Protection Studies Diploma... but it's not too late! This year the Diploma is being held in Hamilton, which is almost full, and Dunedin, which still has a number of spaces available.
Click here for a Diploma Enrolment Form.
If you think the Diploma may be an option for you, we urge you to contact Summer Reid as soon as possible, by email or on 07 838 3370. You can also find more information about our training in our Child Protection Studies Course Handbook.
Closing words from our participants...
“Attendance at the Child Matters Child Protection Studies course recently served to open my eyes to many factors surrounding the protection of our tamariki in New Zealand. Not only to the situations too may of our children find themselves in but also the extent to which many of us overlook warning signs that may be indicative of a greater issue. The course highlighted how crucial it is for us to stand up for what we believe in and not only encourage but uplift those we work with and alongside to do the same. …
I will no longer simply file concerns away, pass over signs, or neglect to act on observations and I will support my colleagues to work in the same vein. It is clear that only through cohesive, joint action that we will change the outcomes for out tamariki and it is very obvious that this needs to happen. There are too many children suffering in our homes and communities, too many families that risk becoming vulnerable and those of us that have the closest relationships with children and families have to open our eyes and our hearts to deal with the situation. To access or provide the support necessary to create positive change.”
Kindergarten Head Teacher, Palmerston North
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