LIVE MUSIC WORKSHOPS SAFEGUARDING AND CHILD PROTECTION POLICY
POLICY STATEMENT
LIVE MUSIC WORKSHOPS is run single-handedly by one professional musician (Mrs Luan Shaw, hereafter referred to as LS) with a Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy to reflect this.
LS believes that it is unacceptable for a child or young person to experience abuse of any kind and that the need to safeguard the welfare of all children and young people is paramount. All children, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity, have the right to equal protection from all types of harm and abuse. LS recognises that working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and their agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare. The purpose of this policy is to provide protection for the children and young people who participate in Live Music Workshops, including the children of adult clients.
LS will seek to safeguard children and young people by valuing them, listening to and respecting them. All workshops are delivered by LS who is contracted on a self employed basis by nurseries, playgroups, schools and children’s centres, all of which have their own child protection policies in place. LS will adopt these policies and in the event of an issue of concern or abuse, her first point of contact will be the Child Protection Officer or relevant deputy, who will implement their own procedures.
PROCEDURES
The vast majority of LIVE MUSIC WORKSHOPS are ‘one-off’ visits to schools where it is impossible for LS to build a relationship with children/young people over time and problems may not be clearly recognisable in these circumstances. However, in cases where LS is booked for a series of workshops eg, over the course of a year or more, problems may be easier to identify. LS may suspect or know that a child has a problem...
· because the child tells her about it
· because of something another child or adult says
· if the child’s behaviour undergoes a marked change
· if the child has unexplained bruises or other injuries
· if the child appears to be punished too harshly
· if the child appears to be inadequately cared for (hungry,dirty)
· the child loses or gains weight
· the child is reluctant to go home
Should any child/young person wish to confide in LS as a visiting (temporary) member of staff in the absence of a Child Protection Officer or relevant deputy trained to follow their own procedures, LS will...
· stay calm and be reassuring.
· find a quiet place to talk.
· take seriously what is being told.
· listen but not press for information or put words into the child’s mouth.
· not ask leading questions.
· not question the pupil about the alleged incident.
· tell the child she will do her best to protect and support them.
· not promise confidentiality.
· seek immediate medical attention for the child if required.
· preserve any evidence, such as clothing.
· document all information promptly, using the child’s own words where appropriate.
· record facts, not opinions.
· document the names of other people present..
· record the date, time and location of disclosure.
· sign and print her name.
LS will then pass on the recorded information to the Child Protection Officer or relevant deputy as soon as possible who will then follow in house procedures and where appropriate contact a welfare agency.
IMPLEMENTATION
When working with children and young people, LS will always insist that she be accompanied by a teacher if at school, or parents/carers should be in attendance in other situations. It is the teacher's/parent’s/carer’s responsibility to manage behaviour whilst LS is undertaking a workshop. This enables LS to focus on artistic tasks with the children/young people and enables them to learn valuable skills in a safe environment.
LS will not make physical contact with any child/young person during workshops without their consent. No photographs or video will be taken by LS and internet resources will only be used by children under supervision from LS in whole group situations, by prior agreement with the accompanying teacher/parent/carer.
LS is committed to reviewing this policy and good practice annually and will ensure that she undertakes a CRB check every three years, or more frequently where required by contractors. LS will also carry her current CRB form along with photo ID when visiting schools.
Policy updated 23rd August 2010 by Luan Shaw
CRB Disclosure No 001225377153 Date of issue 7/2/09
