Toolkit for Safer Schools
Over 100 schools in Christchurch are using an innovative new toolkit designed to help staff recognise signs of family violence and bullying.
The 'Toolkit for Safer Children – Schools and Communities', launched by Christchurch Methodist Mission in August, is aimed at staff working with children in early childhood centres and schools. The toolkit was recently distributed to city-wide Christchurch schools.
Methodist Mission Aotearoa funded the development of the toolkit with their funding allocation as a Tindall Foundation Funding Manager.
Ninon Kirchner, a Christchurch Methodist Mission advocate for children and young people experiencing family violence, says "Schools found it to be a great resource when the earthquake hit, as they were able to utilise the agencies listed in the toolkit to get help and support."
Packed full of information and resources, the toolkit gives practical advice and step-by-step guidance to help those working with children and young people.
It includes information on the following:
- Policy and legislation to help schools create or update health and safety policies.
- Information and guidelines about responding to child abuse - how to identify and respond to child abuse; the process around child, youth and family notifications; and information on the effects of family violence and childhood trauma.
- Age-appropriate sexual play and behaviour in children aged 0-12 years.
- Statistics and information from the 'It’s Not OK' Campaign, the Family Violence Clearinghouse and 'What’s Up' children’s helpline.
- Training opportunities for teachers and school staff, provided by both statutory agencies and non-government organisations.
- Information on legal and curriculum requirements and tips for parents around bullying.
The toolkit also includes teaching materials and resources for students, parents, teachers and schools around the topic of family violence and child abuse. All materials are aligned with the NZ curriculum and can therefore be used as part of official curriculum planning.
Margaret Coleman, Principal at Our Lady Star of the Sea School in Christchurch, says the toolkit is a "godsend" for school principals. "It provides vital information for both experienced and inexperienced classroom teachers who have to make decisions based on either disclosures or their own observations. I think it is a brilliant resource and a copy should be in every New Zealand school."
To view The 'Toolkit for Safer Children – Schools and Communities' visit http://www.mmsi.org.nz/images/stories/toolkit.pdf
You can also order a hard copy on the Christchurch Methodist Mission's website.
