Child Protection Policy IMPROTANT - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY...

Dance Pointe Studios

Children Protection Policy 2017

Contents:

Policy Statement

Roles and Responsibilities

Admission Procedures

Code of Behaviour

Photographing Children

Accidents & First Aid

Child Abuse Guidelines

Safe Recruitment Procedure (if applicable)

The Role of the Principal (and contact details)

Enhanced DBS Disclosure

Sources of Further Information


POLICY STATEMENT:


I / We will endeavour to ensure that children and vulnerable adults are protected from harm while they visit or are attending classes on our property. We will do this by:

  1. Making sure our staff are recruited with integrity
  2. Providing appropriate training for staff in issues of child and vulnerable adult protection
  3. Carrying out checks and monitoring of all staff (including teaching staff, administrators and ancillary staff) which may require them to undergo an Enhanced DBS disclosure
  4. To establish and maintain an ethos where children and young people feel secure and are encouraged to talk, and are listed to
  5. Taking all reasonable steps to ensure the health, safety and welfare of any child or vulnerable adult in contact with us
  6. Not physically, emotionally or sexually abusing any child or vulnerable adult in contact with us
  7. Taking all reasonable steps to prevent any staff member, persons working for us or member of the public from putting any child or vulnerable adult in a situation in which there is an unreasonable risk to their health and safety
  8. Taking all reasonable steps to prevent any staff member, persons working for us or member of the public from physically, emotionally or sexually abusing any child or vulnerable adult
  9. Reporting to the Principal, any evidence or reasonable suspicion that a child or vulnerable adult has been physically, emotionally or sexually abused in contact with us or anyone in our organisation
  10. Referring to statutory authorities all incidents reported to the Principal
  11. Implementing this policy in conjunction with our Health and Safety guidelines already in place Everyone working or applying to work for this organisation is to be made aware of our policy for children’s welfare. Furthermore, this document should be issued to all staff and other people who are likely to have contact with children as part of their work with us. Copies of the policy will be held by the Principal of the organisation.


ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES FOR ALL STAFF. These guidelines apply to:


GENERAL DUTIES FOR ALL STAFF:

In regard to the safety and welfare of children and similarly vulnerable people all staff are required to:


ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES FOR ALL STAFF:


ADMISSION PROCEDURES:

A register of names, addresses, next of kin and contact addresses and telephone numbers for emergencies will be kept. Parents or carers, and where appropriate older children, will be informed of the action which will be taken in the event of a child becoming ill or being injured and that any information which suggests that a child has been abused will be passed on to the Social Services Department and/or the police.


CODE OF BEHAVIOUR FOR ALL STAFF:

People working at our organisation must always observe the following requirements where children, young people or similarly vulnerable people are concerned.


Do and Do Not:


DO:


DO NOT:


PHOTOGRAPHING CHILDREN:

Photographs of children should only be used if written consent has been obtained from a parent, guardian or, if referring to school groups, relevant school authority. General group photographs may be used if no individual can be identified by reason of any attached data. Permission should be obtained firstly to take the photograph and secondly for permission from the parent if the photograph is to be reproduced.


WHAT TO DO IF AN ACCIDENT HAPPENS:

Depending on your judgment of the situation, go to the scene immediately if possible and/or summon First Aid assistance and/or contact the emergency services. With children, it can be hard to assess whether they have been injured or the extent of the seriousness of an injury. If you have any doubt about this, you should err on the side of caution and contact the emergency services. Even if a child is accompanied and you think an accident is not being treated seriously enough, get medical assistance on your own initiative if necessary. All accidents should be reported in the Health and Safety manual.


FIRST AID:

Unless there is good reason, First Aid should not be administered without the permission of the child’s parent or accompanying adult. A child cannot give consent. If the parent is not at the premises, obtain their phone number and try and make contact. However, if a child is alone and seriously injured or unconscious, the situation will need to be dealt with immediately. If possible, treatment should only be given by a trained First Aider. Provided this does not in itself put the child at risk, always try to administer First Aid with another adult present. Always tell the child exactly what you are doing and why. Unless it is irrelevant, ask the child if they use medication (e.g. for asthma, diabetes, and epilepsy) or have any allergies. Some children have allergic reactions to stings. For minor injuries, you may not offer any medication, including antiseptics or pills of any kind. If you have any doubts about helping someone to use their own medication, phone National Health Service Direct on 111 or the emergency services. Any treatment should be as little as necessary without threatening the child’s wellbeing. If a child comes to you for comfort because of a minor accident or fright, it is acceptable with the Code of Behaviour to hold their hand or put your arm around them. Just ensure:


CHILD ABUSE GUIDELINES:

The NSPCC has a written document which outlines the requirements for professionals reporting child abuse in the United Kingdom. To read this information, please follow the link below: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/ The Department of Health web-site www.doh.gov.uk contains a practical guide to the law relating to child protection, particularly The Protection of Children Act 1999. The site also provides a publication entitled: "What to do if you're worried a child is being abused". This publication has been developed to assist practitioners to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. It sets out the process for safeguarding children. It is aimed at those who come into contact with children and families in their everyday work


SAFE RECRUITMENT PROCEDURE (if applicable):

To safeguard and promote the welfare of its pupils and ensure that risk of harm is minimised, our organisation employs a safe recruitment and selection policy which complies with national and local guidance. All recruitment procedures involve the following processes. All successful applicants including teachers, freelance teachers, contractors, volunteers, administrational and ancillary staff, should undertake an Enhanced DBS check where this is relevant and applicable. All applicants will undergo a face to face interview where questions pertaining to child protection will be asked. All candidates will be asked to bring identity proof with them (e.g., a current driving licence or passport, a full birth certificate, plus a document such as a utility bill showing the candidate’s current name and address). All candidates will be asked to bring documents confirming any educational and professional qualifications relevant to the post. All appointed staff will undergo an induction process which includes information and written statements of; policies and procedures in relation to safeguarding and promoting welfare e.g. child protection, antibullying, anti-racism, physical intervention / restraint, internet safety and professional conduct.


For volunteers, close attention will be taken to why the applicant would like to work with children and young people and follow up questions will be necessary prior to the appointment being made. All new employees/volunteers will go through a probation and induction process, including relevant training. Ongoing training and supervision will ensure all employees/volunteers are adequately supported.


THE ROLE OF THE PRINCIPAL:

Principal: Louise Banyard

Role: To oversee the running of Dance Pointe Studios, to oversee the Employment of staff/volunteers, to ensure all policies and procedures are followed by staff/volunteers, to undergo any necessary training on Safeguarding and health and safety.


Contact Details:

25, Jack Russell Close

Stroud

Glos

GL5 4EH


T: 07854 298847

E: dancepointeinfo@gmail.com


Our organisation will promote awareness of the policy through the Induction Process.


ENHANCED DBS DISCLOSURE:

All staff including teachers, freelance teachers, contractors, volunteers, administrational and ancillary staff should undertake an Enhanced DBS disclosure where this is deemed to be appropriate and relevant. It is strongly recommended that this is kept up-to-date. It is the Principal’s responsibility to view the contents of the Enhanced DBS disclosure and make a decision about whether that staff member should be excluded from working with young people within their organisation.


SOURCES OF FURTHER INFORMATION:

Statutory Guidance on inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. In England, this is ‘Working together to safeguard children’, and the local safeguarding children board's child protection procedures.


The NSPCC is a registered charity established to prevent cruelty to children. Help line for concerns about a child’s welfare: 0808 800 5000 [24 hours], website:


https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventingabuse/child-protection-system/england/reporting-your-concerns/


Links to specific information about Children and Vulnerable Adult Policy can be found by visiting:


https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/child-protection-system/england/legislation-policy-guidance


Dance-Pointe Studios 2017

Dance Pointe STUDIO