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In most cases of personal injury caused by accident, the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) will provide coverage. This means that when a child is injured, ACC is likely to cover the costs of treatment and rehabilitation. In addition, where ACC provides coverage, legislation prohibits any legal action for damages, except in rare cases where exemplary damages may be sought. [To read more use the link above.]

There are no mandatory regulations which govern pool safety in New Zealand, with the exception of pool fencing regulations and pool water quality standards. However there are useful guidelines provided for schools by the Ministry of Education and Water Safety New Zealand. TThese resources make it clear that any organisation using a pool should have a clear policies and guidelines for pool safety and supervision, including rules for swimmers. [To read more use the link above.]

Holiday programmes will often have a policy that they will only accept “duty of care” for a child once they are signed in by a parent/caregiver. But what if the child hasn’t been signed in? After all, children are often at school well before their classes start? [To read more use the link above.]

Many programmes include, on their enrolment form, a waiver clause. There are various wordings but it usually will say something like “staff will take all care…. but will accept no responsibility…” It would be fair to say that many parents will sign off on these without giving them much thought and staff, in the same way, accept that they are a fairly standard part of the enrolment process. [To read more use the link above.]

As more information is released about the Vulnerable Children Act, we have received enquiries wanting to clarify how the Act applies to OSCAR services. OSCAR providers with MSD Accreditation are already following requirements that are very similar to those in the Act. However this is a good time to review your child protection and safe recruitment practices. [To read more use the link above.]

Insurance for OSCAR services is not an off-the-shelf product that you can get from any insurance company, like home, car or contents insurance. Most OSCAR services will use an insurance broker to put together a package to give them the coverage they need. Top priorities for coverage would be insurance for your property and equipment, and public liability insurance. [To read more use the link above.]

An overview of essential procedures and forms to have in place on day one: enrolment, finances, health and safety, staffing. It is recommended that programmes undertake MSD Accreditation but this article outlines the recommended minimums, where MSD Accreditation has not been attained, based on legal requirements and widespread practice in the OSCAR sector. [To read more use the link above.]

Staff in an OSCAR programme have a ‘duty of care’ for children attending the programme. ‘Duty of care’ continues until a child is returned to the care of a parent or other nominated person, even if after closing time. If a child is not collected at the end of the day a staff member must stay with them at the programme. Many programmes charge a ‘late fee’ as an incentive to collect children on time and to cover costs. [To read more use the link above.]

Staff members in an OSCAR programme have a duty of care for the children who attend. This continues for as long as children are at the programme.[To read more use the link above.]

It is not really that accurate to say that an OSCAR programme is “changing ownership”. There is very little that can be handed over from one operator to the next. The process is best seen as one provider winding up and another opening in its place. Most arrangements for the changeover will need to be negotiated between the new operator and the exiting provider. [To read more use the link above.]

Successful OSCAR services strive to be responsive to families in their local community – one aspect of this is striking a balance between meeting their running costs and charging an affordable fee. Across the sector there is a very wide range of fees charged. [To read more use the link above.]

OSCAR programmes are not obliged to continue to offer services to a family where a child is disruptive or creating safety issues for themselves or others. It is generally accepted that excluding a child should be the final step of a process and not ‘out of the blue’ for parents. [To read more use the link above.]

A visit from MSD can make everyone a little nervous, but a site visit will usually include discussion, a look around the venue, a check of paperwork and a short time at the programme. The assessor is looking for assurance that the programme can and will be safe for children and comply with the MSD Standards. [To read more use the link above.]

You may be aware of the rule change concerning seat belt and restraint requirements for children traveling in motor vehicles. The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has issued guidelines regarding the changes.[To read more use th