Procedures for releasing children from the Centre

Upon enrolment, parents should supply the Centre via the Enrolment form, details of at least one person, and up to four people, who are authorised as “Authorised Nominees to collect the child”.  Authorised persons and nominees should be fit and proper to care for the child so MUST be at least 18 years of age.  Parents are also required to give the Centre a copy of any custody orders pertaining to their child upon enrolment.

Authorisation for a child to leave the service

Team members should not release any child into the hands of anyone unless there has been written authorisation from the legal guardian, or it is one of the authorised persons or nominees in the enrolment forms. If a person other than the legal guardian or an authorised person or nominee comes to the Centre to collect the child, team members should explain that they are required by law to contact the legal guardian for authorisation before the child may be released.

Any authorised person or nominee that comes to collect a child and team members are unfamiliar with and unable to identify this person/s, they MUST be asked for identification to confirm the identity of the person and ensure they are an authorised person or nominee on the enrolment form.

If at any time, a team member is concerned for the safety of a child or do not consider that a person is in a fit state to take responsibility for a child, they should exercise their duty of care by trying to encourage the person to not remove the child from the service.  For example; when a parent or other authorised person or nominee seems to be ill or affected by drugs or alcohol and does not appear to be able to safely care for the child.

It may not always be possible to prevent a person from collecting a child, for example, in the case where someone threatens violence towards a team member. For the safety of all team members and children, NEVER try to stop the person against their will as they may become aggressive.  In the case that they become aggressive towards a team member, try to delay them by offering to call a taxi or another family member, and another team member should contact the police as soon as possible.  They can then advise you what to do and may even arrive at the Centre before or while the person is trying to leave with the child in their car.

If the child is handed over to a legal parent or guardian who you feel is intoxicated or you feel is not in a fit state to be caring for the child, you will need to exercise your obligations under the Child Protection law and contact Child Protection (please see ‘Child Protection policy’ for further information on undertaking this procedure).  The team members involved must also notify the Director as soon as practicable and follow Centre grievance procedures and undertake any discussions or counseling where required.

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