Child Protection Policy
The
Theatre School will offer young people the opportunity to enjoy drama, music
and dance through it’s various associated classes. All staff has a
responsibility to ensure the protection and well being of the young people
involved in the classes. Should there ever be cause for concern, or any
allegations made AMANDA HARRIS- The Principle, should be informed
Parents are at all times encouraged to
discuss issues with Amanda Harris should they have any concern regarding the
safety of their child.
Amanda Harris will be responsible for
instigating any necessary action should abuse be seen or alleged. All staff
members should be aware that the scope for abuse is minimised if projects are
run with the safety of all its participants in mind and sensible steps are
taken in dealings with young people.
Should
an allegation be made, the nominated staff member should record the following
details:
·
Name of the child
·
Parent’s/carer’s details
·
Child’s address
·
Relevant phone numbers
·
What is said to have happened or what was seen
·
When it occurred
·
Who else, if anyone, was there?
·
What was said by those involved
·
What evidence of abuse can be recorded
·
Who has been told about it
·
Who was involved in the incident, and if possible record in
what way concerned?
·
Was the child able to say what happened, if so how did they
describe it?
·
Whether the parent(s) have been advised.
Any
complaints of suspected or actual child abuse or of young people being put at
risk must be taken seriously and acted upon immediately. If a member of staff believes that a child may
be suffering, or may be at risk of suffering significant harm, then he/she will
need to make Amanda Harris aware who will inform the appropriate authorities
TYPES OF ABUSE
All
staff members within a project will need to note the definitions stated below
and pass on any concerns to Amanda Harris. This includes any behaviour, as
stated below, that may indicate abuse elsewhere. (E.g -home, school,etc).
Please
note that it may be other young people who are creating the abuse, not
necessarily parents, teachers or youth leaders.
Abuse
states many forms. Please see below:
PHYSICAL ABUSE
Physical abuse may involve hitting, shaking,
throwing, pushing, poisoning, burning, scalding, drowning, suffocating, or
other actions causing physical harm to a young person. Physical harm may also
be caused when a parent or carer feigns the symptoms of, or deliberately causes
ill health to a child whom they are looking after.
EMOTIONAL ABUSE
Emotional abuse is the persistent emotional ill
treatment of a child such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on
the child’s emotional development. It may involve conveying to children that
they are worthless or unloved, inadequate or undervalued. It may involve
causing children frequently to feel frightened or in danger, or the
exploitation or corruption of children.
SEXUAL ABUSE
Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or
young person to take part in sexual activities, whether or not the child is
aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact,
including penetrative (e.g. Rape or buggery) or non-penetrative acts. They may
include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in
the production of, pornographic material or watching sexual activities, or
encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways.
NEGLECT
Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child’s
basic physical and/or psychological needs. It may involve a parent or carer
failing to provide adequate food, shelter and clothing, failing to protect a
child from physical harm or danger, or the failure to ensure access to
appropriate medical care or treatment. It may also include neglect of, or
unresponsiveness to, a child’s basic emotional needs.
********************************************************
The
Theatre School aims to create a safe and secure environment for young people to
learn and enjoy theatre and performing arts.
ALL
staff will, under no circumstance, tolerate bullying, racism, or sexism.
ALL
staff will report any suspicions to Amanda Harris
ALL
staff will be checked by the CRB.
ALL
staff will be aware that they are in a relationship of trust with the young
people at the Theatre School. Under no circumstance should this trust be
abused. Staff should note that while we are all friendly and professional, we
are teachers. The young people are our responsibility and no relationship
between a leader and young person should be expanded outside the realms of the
Theatre School. This includes all forms of contact, including phone calls,
e-mail and text messages. Should a member of staff need to contact a Theatre
School pupil to discuss something to do with their class, then Amanda Harris
should be informed first hand before contact is made.
The
Theatre School will operate a “whistle blowing” policy, whereby young people
and staff can voice ANY concerns about abusive or unethical conduct. Staff
& pupils should note that it takes courage to challenge inappropriate
behaviour but that concerns should be voiced immediately. This will prevent
further incidents and also make staff aware should anything take place in the
future.
The
Theatre School will follow the NSPCC's core values, which are based on the UN
Convention on the Rights of the Child. They are:
Further
information regarding CHILD PROTECTION is available from:
Publications & Information Unit,
NSPCC National Centre,
42 Curtain Rd
London
EC2A 3NH
E-Mail: infounit@nspcc.org.uk
Web: www.nspcc.org.uk
Other
useful information can be found at:
http://www.barnardos.org.uk/index.jsp
or call 020 8550 8822
“Safe from Harm”- www.homeoffice.gov.uk or 020 7273 4000
“The Protection of Children Act 1999”- http://www.dfes.gov.uk/acpc/
or Dept. of Heath, PO Box 777, London, SE1 6XH.
Tel: 0870 600 5522