Invercargill Toy & Puzzle Library
Child Protection Policy
The Invercargill Toy & Puzzle Library is committed to the safety, care and protection of all children, young people, women and men, and to promoting a consistent and comprehensive approach to the personal wellbeing of children and young people.
This policy outlines the Toy Library committee’s commitment to child protection and recognises the important role and responsibility of all our staff in the protection of children. It includes the committee’s expectations when child abuse is reported or suspected by us.
All staff members (including contractors and volunteers) are expected to be familiar with this policy, its associated procedures and protocols and abide by them.
As a non-government agency, we recognise that it is voluntary compliance with legislation, but that we:
These procedures apply to children or young people at risk of abuse or neglect who come to the attention of the Invercargill Toy & Puzzle Library through its interaction with its members or attendees.
Whenever child abuse is identified or suspected the matter must be given top priority. The child’s safety should always be the paramount consideration in the notification process.
Procedures for responding to disclosures of abuse from a child or young person:
Write down what the child told you as soon as possible. Write verbatim if possible. Record the facts, not opinion. Put the date and time on the notes, sign and keep in a confidential place.
- You do not need evidence or all the facts. Leave the investigation work for Oranga Tamariki and Police.
- Do not make a decision in isolation. You can still report to Oranga Tamariki or Police directly, but it is advisable to consult with other committee members if possible.
Our members pay a one-off annual fee that covers the hire of all our toys, including our party hire items. Items are issued for 2 weeks at a time.
You can renew each toy once (simply phone, text or email us your name and the toy number or login to our new online system and do it yourself!). Toys can be reserved including popular toys, party packs and cake tins.
Members who return a toy with a missing piece can be charged a fine of up to $5 for each lost piece. This fine will be refunded on return of the missing piece/pieces. If the missing piece is vital to the toy and without it the toy cannot be played with then we may need to seek costs to replace the toy.
Each time you take out a toy you will need to check all the pieces are with the toy, ideally before you leave the library. If you do not do this you may be fined when you return the toy if pieces are missing so it is important you check your toys. Please contact us if you find pieces are missing when you get home or if the toy is damaged in any way.
We understand that toys can break in normal play. Please notify us of the broken parts when you return the toys. If a toy is destroyed or a vital piece is broken and cannot be replaced, you may be charged the replacement cost of the toy. The committee will assess the situation and you will be notified of any charges within 4 weeks.
Some of our toys require batteries so we do supply these but you will need to replace these when they go flat.
If your toy is overdue, you will be charged $2 per toy per week until they are returned. You will get reminder e-mails when toys are due and overdue and you will be able to renew online or contact our librarian. We understand that it is not always possible to return toys on time.