The Role of Professional Child Care Providers in Preventing and Responding to Child Abuse and Neglect

Author(s): Children's Bureau Karageorge, Kathy, Kendall, Rosemary

Year Published: 2008

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Appendix F: Risk Indicators: Touch Policy¹

Very Low Risk	Low Risk	Moderate Risk	High Risk
The director, the staff, and the parents have written a touch policy together for their program, and it is reflective of child development, abuse information, and staff philosophy. The policy addresses the kinds of touches the staff will give the children and when; the types of touches that are important to development; the types of touches the children are allowed to refuse and when; the touch curriculum, if any, that will be taught to the children; and the people that will teach it. Copies of the center's touch policy are given to all staff. The parents also are informed of the policy in writing. The policy is reviewed and updated yearly. The staff are informed about implementing the policy. The policy reflects staff practices and regulatory guidelines. The director and the staff have discussed the concept of appropriate and inappropriate touch and the importance of safe touch to healthy child development. The staff policy and practices reflect child development and child maltreatment prevention information.	The touch policy was written by the director with some input from the staff and reflects regulatory standards. Appropriate and inappropriate touch are mentioned in the child abuse policy. Copies of the touch policy are included in personnel policies, but are not given to parents. The staff are informed of the policy at hiring. Staff practices reflect policy and regulatory guidelines. The staff have discussed the concept of appropriate and inappropriate touch and view the idea positively.	The director wrote the touch policy for licensing purposes or in reaction to a problem. Copies of the policy exist for the director's use, but are not given to the staff or to the parents. The staff are only oriented to the policy if a problem arises. Regulatory guidelines are the basis for staff practice. The director expresses confusion and frustration over the concept of a touch policy and is concerned about sexual abuse allegations resulting from raising these issues with parents.	No written or verbal touch policy is available for the staff or parents. There is no staff involvement in policy development or discussion. No written policy exists. There is no discussion of the policy or the procedures with the staff or the parents. No staff orientation or discussion of appropriate and inappropriate touch is provided. There are no consistent staff practices. The director has no knowledge of the subject. The director is opposed to the whole concept, especially the right of children to refuse adult touch.

¹ U.S. Army Child Development Services. (1993). Administration handbook for the Child Abuse Risk Assessment Tool (p. 41). Alexandria, VA: Author. back

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The Role of Professional Child Care Providers in Preventing and Responding to Child Abuse and Neglect

Appendix F: Risk Indicators: Touch Policy1

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Appendix F: Risk Indicators: Touch Policy¹