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CHILD PROTECTION POLICY Implemented from: March 2008 Chairman: Joan Place General Secretary: Pat Earl Treasurer: Richard Morrish Protection Committee: Sue Worsnop, Sue Verity, Pauline Swart Venue: St. Margaret's Hall, Horsforth, Leeds Dates: March/April 2008 PRELIMINARY STATEMENT: The safety of children and other vulnerable groups is paramount and all, without exception, have the right to protection from abuse. All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately and all the charity’s trustees, staff and volunteers have a responsibility to report concerns. Throughout the policy where “children” are mentioned, this also includes members of other vulnerable groups. 1. The purpose and function of the Festival The object of the Festival is to promote and encourage speech and drama, dance and music performance by amateurs of all ages and abilities in a competitive but friendly atmosphere. Through dialogue with professional adjudicators competitors will be guided, educated and given advice as to how they can improve their performance(s). 2. The Festival environment The Festival is held in St Margaret’s church hall. All personnel entering the building have to come past the reception desk which is manned at all times. During the Festival the hall is not open to the general public (other than family/friends etc. attending the Festival). The voluntary workers running the Festival wish to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, that children are in an environment which is as safe as possible at all times. The Festival actively encourages parental/guardian/carer/teacher involvement in implementing this policy. 3. To whom this policy applies This Policy relates to children under the age of 18 years and members of vulnerable groups of any age who are identified to the organisers prior to their arrival at the Festival. In recognising the needs of children from all ethnic groups and children who are disabled, the Festival actively seeks to meet needs notified to the Festival by parents/guardians/carers and/or teachers. 4. Festival personnel All Festival helpers are volunteers and are known personally to the section secretaries. Their names, addresses and telephone numbers are on record and all have a job description. The jobs are reviewed and, where appropriate, certain helpers have been CRB checked. All committee members are automatically CRB checked. Festival personnel are identified by white lapel badges and a daily record is kept of their attendance at the Festival. All Festival helpers are aware of and support this Festival Child Protection Policy. If there is a problem, parents or children should contact someone wearing a badge who will take them to the section secretary (who is CRB checked). The secretary will take them to a private room where their concerns can be expressed. If a situation should arise where sole charge of a child is involved, the “responsible adult” will be the section secretary. Any problem will be taken seriously; the section secretary will document and date all concerns. 5. Preparation for attendance at the Festival It is the policy of the Horsforth Festival to send a copy of this Child Protection Policy either to all parents of competitors or to their teachers. It is sent in order to give you details of the Festival environment and to make it clear to you that, where you are not personally attending with your children, we require you to be satisfied that your child(ren) will be accompanied to the Festival and adequately supervised by responsible adults acting on your behalf. 6. Performance and changing/waiting areas Festival helpers will be vigilant in monitoring the venue and reserve the right to challenge the presence of any adult in either restricted or public areas. Changing and toilet areas are NOT supervised and, therefore, it is the responsibility of the accompanying adult to supervise children and vulnerable adults at all times. 7. Photographs, videotape and press photography For the protection of children, no photography and /or video/audio recording is allowed during performances or in the halls. Parents or teachers will be allowed to take photographs – in the public areas – of those competitors for whom they are responsible. 8. The Legislation and Guidance which supports this policy The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974; The Children Act 1989; The Police Act 1997; The Data Protection Act 1998; The Human Rights Act 1998; The Protection of Children Act 1999; The Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000; The Children Act 2004; The Vulnerable Groups Act 2006. 9. Policy review The organisers will constantly review their policy, revising and enhancing it as necessary. In doing this they will look to the British and International Federation of Festivals for support and that body, in turn, will look to other agencies for good practice, most notably the NSPCC and Arts Council of England policy guidelines. Pat Earl, General Secretary, 19 Church Lane, Horsforth, Leeds LS18 5LB. Tel: 0113 258 9499 Page last updated Monday, 17 March 2008 13:52
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