Child protection policies for organisations

The following organisations must have child protection policies, review them every three years, and make them available on their websites:

• the Ministries of Education, Health, Justice, Social Development, Business, Innovation and Employment, Te Puni Kōkiri and New Zealand Police
• district health boards (DHBs)
• schools, including private schools, and partnership schools (Kura Hourua).

All providers of children’s services they contract or fund must also have child protection policies. If you’re one of these organisations, or contracted or funded by them to provide services to children or tamariki, you need to either review your existing child protection policy or write a new one.

Unsure about your obligations? Contact your funding or regulating body for advice.

Don’t receive government funding? Even if you are not obligated, we encourage organisations to have child protection policies to ensure our tamariki or children are safe. To find out how to write a good quality child protection policy, check out our guidance and resources below.

If you'd like to know more about child protection, the Safeguarding Children Initiative delivers evidence-based seminars. Access their training and e-learning:

Safeguarding children