Child Protection Policy Statement
Name – YT93 Performing Arts Academy
INTRODUCTION:
This policy has been developed in accordance with the principles established by the Children Act 1989 and related guidance including The Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families and Working Together to Safeguard Children.
YT93 Performing Arts Academy takes seriously our responsibility to promote the welfare and safeguard all the children and young people entrusted to our care.
The designated member of staff is Christina Yates who has overall responsibility for overseeing the child protection practice within this company.
As part of the ethos of the company we are committed to:
As part of the ethos of the company we are committed to:
Maintaining children’s welfare as our paramount concern
Providing an environment in which children and young people feel safe, secure, valued and respected; confident to talk openly and sure of being listened to
Providing suitable support and guidance so that children have a range of
appropriate adults who they feel confident to approach if they are in difficulties
appropriate adults who they feel confident to approach if they are in difficulties
Using the opportunities for increasing self awareness, self esteem, assertiveness and decision making so that children have a range of contacts and strategies to ensure their own protection and understand the importance of protecting others
Working with parents to build an understanding of YT93 Performing Arts
Academy’s responsibility to ensure the welfare of all children including the
need for referral to other agencies in some situations
need for referral to other agencies in some situations
Ensuring all staff are able to recognise the signs and symptoms of abuse and are aware of the YT93 PERFORMING ARTS ACADEMY’s procedures and lines
of communication are in conjunction with KCC guidance
of communication are in conjunction with KCC guidance
Developing effective and supportive liaison with other agencies
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:INVICTA YOUTH THEATRE
INVICTA YOUTH THEATRE is responsible for ensuring that all action taken is in conjunction with Kent’s Child in need/Child Protection procedure. This process implemented in April 2001 follows the requirements of the central government guidance contained in the Framework for Assessment of Children in Need and their Families and Working Together to Safeguard Children. The child protection process is now incorporated within a comprehensive policy and procedures for all children in need
The role of the INVICTA YOUTH THEATRE within this procedure is to contribute to the identification, referral and assessment of children in need including children who may have suffered, or suffering or who are at risk of suffering significant harm.
All adults have a role to play in relation to:
All adults have a role to play in relation to:
Protecting children from abuse
Promoting the welfare of children
Preventing children from being harmed
The role of the INVICTA YOUTH THEATRE in situations where
there are child protection concerns is NOT to investigate but to recognise and refer.
there are child protection concerns is NOT to investigate but to recognise and refer.
Designation Named Person – Christina Yates
Is responsible for:
Liaising with other agencies
Ensuring that locally established procedures are followed including reporting and referral processes
Acting as a consultant for staff to discuss concerns
Making referrals as necessary
Maintaining a confidential recording system
Representing the company when appropriate at inter-agency meetings or Child Protection Conferences
Organising training for all staff
Liaising with other professionals
GENERAL STRATEGIES:
This section gives an opportunity for staff to identify the specific ways in which child protection issues are addressed within the INVICTA YOUTH THEATRE, policies and guidance or through school/community initiatives.
This section gives an opportunity for staff to identify the specific ways in which child protection issues are addressed within the INVICTA YOUTH THEATRE, policies and guidance or through school/community initiatives.
This may include:
Anti-Bullying Strategies
Complaints Procedures
Health and Safety
Risk Assessments
PROCEDURES
RECOGNITION AND CATEGORIES OF ABUSE:
All staff should be aware of the definitions and signs and symptoms of abuse. There are four categories of abuse. These are:
Physical abuse
Sexual abuse
Emotional abuse
Neglect
Useful information is the Department of Health Guidelines “What to do if You’re Worried A Child Is Being Abused” which is also available on the Website:
RESPONDING TO CONCERNS:
Concerns for a child or young person may come to the attention of staff in a variety of ways for example through observation of behaviour or injuries or disclosure. Any member of staff who has a concern for a child or young person however insignificant this might appear to be should discuss this with the designated member of the INVICTA YOUTH THEATRE as soon as is practically possible. More serious concerns must be reported immediately to ensure that any intervention necessary to protect the child is accessed as early as possible.
If a child makes a disclosure of abuse to a member of staff they should:
Allow the child or young person to make the disclosure at their own pace and in their own way
Avoid interrupting except to clarify what the child is saying (attentive
listening/reflective feedback)
listening/reflective feedback)
Not ask leading questions or probe for information that the child or young person does not volunteer
Reassure the child or young person that they have been heard and explain what you will do next and to whom you will talk
Record the conversation as soon as possible
Inform the theatre schools’ named person
RECORD KEEPING:
Staff can play a vital role in helping children in need or at risk by effective monitoring and record keeping. Any incident or behavioural change in a child or young person that gives cause for concern should be recorded on an incident sheet copies of which are kept in office at Glassenbury Hill Farm. It is important that records are factual and reflect the words used by the child or young person. Opinions should not be given unless there is some form of evidence base, which can also be quoted. Records must be signed and dated with timings if appropriate. It is important to remember that any issues are confidential and staff should know only on a ‘need to know’ basis.
Staff can play a vital role in helping children in need or at risk by effective monitoring and record keeping. Any incident or behavioural change in a child or young person that gives cause for concern should be recorded on an incident sheet copies of which are kept in office at Glassenbury Hill Farm. It is important that records are factual and reflect the words used by the child or young person. Opinions should not be given unless there is some form of evidence base, which can also be quoted. Records must be signed and dated with timings if appropriate. It is important to remember that any issues are confidential and staff should know only on a ‘need to know’ basis.
INFORMATION TO BE RECORDED
Child’s name and date of birth
Child in normal context e.g. behaviour, attitude, (has there been an extreme
change)
change)
The incident(s) which give rise for concern with date(s) and time(s)
A verbatim record of what the child or young person has said
If recording bruising/injuries indicate position, colour, size, shape and time on body map.
Action taken
These basic details are vital to the information gathering process and do not constitute an investigation. Written information should be passed to the Invicta Youth Theatre’s named person, who should always be kept informed of any significant issues.
STORAGE OF RECORDS:
The INVICTA YOUTH THEATRE will ensure that records relating to concerns for the welfare or safety of children are kept separate from other files and are stored securely. Information will be shared on a strictly need to know basis and in line with child protection policy guidance.
The INVICTA YOUTH THEATRE will ensure that records relating to concerns for the welfare or safety of children are kept separate from other files and are stored securely. Information will be shared on a strictly need to know basis and in line with child protection policy guidance.
REFERRALS TO SOCIAL SERVICES:
It is the responsibility of the designated member of the YT93 Performing Arts Academy staff to decide when to make a referral to the Social Services Department. To help with this decision s/he may choose to consult (anonymously if appropriate) with the Social Services Children and Families Duty Service, who offer opportunities for consultation as part of the Child in need / child protection process. Issues discussed during consultations may include the urgency and gravity of the concerns for a child or young person and the extent to which parents/carers are made aware of these. Some concerns may need to be monitored over a period of time before a decision to refer to Social Services is made. In all but the most exceptional cases parents/carers will be made aware of the concerns felt for a child or young person at the earliest possible stage and in the event of this becoming necessary, their consent to a referral to Social Services will be sought.
It is the responsibility of the designated member of the YT93 Performing Arts Academy staff to decide when to make a referral to the Social Services Department. To help with this decision s/he may choose to consult (anonymously if appropriate) with the Social Services Children and Families Duty Service, who offer opportunities for consultation as part of the Child in need / child protection process. Issues discussed during consultations may include the urgency and gravity of the concerns for a child or young person and the extent to which parents/carers are made aware of these. Some concerns may need to be monitored over a period of time before a decision to refer to Social Services is made. In all but the most exceptional cases parents/carers will be made aware of the concerns felt for a child or young person at the earliest possible stage and in the event of this becoming necessary, their consent to a referral to Social Services will be sought.
Referrals to Social Services will be made in writing where time allows for this. In situations where there are felt to be urgent or grave concerns a telephone referral will be made and followed up in writing.
If a child or young person is referred, the YT93 PERFORMING ARTS ACADEMY will ensure that relevant staff are informed of this.
If after consultation with the designated member of the theatre school, the person who raised concerns feels that appropriate action is not being taken in respect of his or her concerns for a child s/he should consult with or refer directly to Social Services. The INVICTA YOUTH THEATRE should be informed of this decision.
Concerns involving members of staff:
Any concerns that involve allegations against a member of staff should be referred immediately to the theatre school, who will seek further consultation with Social Services to discuss and agree further action to be taken in respect of the child and the member of staff.
CODE OF PRACTICE:
All staff should take care not to place themselves in a vulnerable position with relation to child protection. It is always advisable for interviews or work with individual children or parents to be conducted in view of other adults. Physical intervention should only be used when the child is endangering him/herself or others and such events should be recorded and signed by a witness. All staff should work towards providing an environment and atmosphere for children and young people to enable them to feel safe to talk. However, staff should never promise a child to keep certain information confidential. It must be explained that staff have certain duties to help keep that child safe, which may involve informing others.
SUPERVISION AND SUPPORT:
Any member of staff affected by issues arising from concerns for children’s welfare or safety can seek support from the named person.
The named person can put staff and parents in touch with outside agencies for professional support if they so wish.
The named person can put staff and parents in touch with outside agencies for professional support if they so wish.
TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
The named person is responsible for ensuring staff including him/herself receive training in the area of child protection.
MONITORING AND REVIEW:
All personnel will have a copy of this policy and will have the opportunity to consider and discuss its contents.
All personnel will have a copy of this policy and will have the opportunity to consider and discuss its contents.
The policy forms part of the theatre school’s development and will be reviewed annually.
All staff should have access to this policy and sign to the effect that they have read and understood its content.
USEFUL CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Children And Families Teams
Ashford Social Services 0845 330 2967
Maidstone Social Services 01622 691640
Shepway Social Services 01303 253479
Dartford 01322 277744
Gravesend 01474 328664
Sevenoaks and Swanley 01322 669111
Tonbridge and Malling 01732 362442
Tunbridge Wells 01892 515045
Canterbury 01227 451741
Dover 01304 204915
Swale 01795 473333
Thanet 01843 860000
Police
Tonbridge 01732 771055
Gravesend 01474 331055
Maidstone 01622 690055
Ashford 01233 611055
Dover and Folkestone 01303 850055
Canterbury 01227 762055
Swale 01795 477055
Thanet 01843 231055
Police Special Investigation/Domestic Violence units
Tonbridge 01732 370627
Gravesend 01474 565133
Maidstone 01622 690055 ext 2595
Ashford 01233 619195
Dover and Folkestone 01303 850055 ext 2554
Canterbury 01227 762055 Ext 2595/2596
Swale 01795 477055 Ext 2595
Thanet 01243 231055 Ext 2595/2596
