Child Protection Policy
Abingdon Music Centre Trust (AMCT) Involvement with Children, and Commitment to Safeguarding Children from Harm
AMCT is a charity set up to “… establish a centre for the performance teaching and appreciation of music both to children and adults …"” Courses and workshops for children, from babies upwards, form a core group of Abingdon Music Centre's activities. Parents or carers are always present with the youngest children. but but not necessarily during events for school-age children.
The Trustees of AMCT acknowledge that they have a responsibility for the safety and wellbeing of children taking part in Abingdon Music Centre activities. They also recognise that good child protection policies and practice are beneficial to all who work with AMCT, and to parents, as well as to the children.
Throughout this Policy and associated Codes of Practice, the term "Staff" includes all those working for AMCT, whether employees of AMCT, self-employed or unpaid volunteers.
AMCT will endeavor to safeguard children from harm by applying the following procedures and Codes of Practice …
Staffing
It will be made clear to everyone working with, or considering working with children at Abingdon Music Centre that their appointment is exempt from some of the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
The selection procedure for teachers and other Staff whose work would bring them into contact with children, will include:-
- an interview with at least two Trustees before the appointment is made
- acceptance of least one reference from a person not closely connected with AMCT
- a signed declaration by the applicant that he/she has no previous convictions relevant to work with children
- all those who will lead children's groups in the absence of parents or carers staying with the group will require satisfactory Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Disclosure checks, either -
- directly through AMCT
- by Trustees seeing recent CRB Advanced Disclosures which have been accepted for positions where involvement with children is at a similar level to that proposed, where
– both the applicant and the organisation obtaining the Disclosure are known to the Trustees, or
– the Disclosure was obtained by a recognised school, or - by AMCT Trustees checking CRB Disclosures which have been recently obtained for other posts involving activities with children at a similar level, following CRB guidelines for "portability" of Disclosures
The exception to the above is for occasional helpers on events led by established AMCT teachers: in such cases no formal interview or references will be sought but the helper must be well known to at least one of the event leaders.
All appointments, whether paid or voluntary will be subject to a probationary period and will not be confirmed or renewed unless the Trustees are confident that the applicant can be confidently entrusted with children.
The Designated Child Protection Person shall maintain a record of relevant appointment checks.
Designated Child Protection Person (DCPP)
A DCPP shall be appointed by the Trustees. The DCPP shall be a person who has no routine direct involvement with children taking part in AMCT events and is not closely connected with any Staff involved with children in AMCT activities. The name and contact details of the DCPP shall be displayed with other safety notices at the Music Centre. AMCT encourages any person , either adult or child, who has cause for suspicion of child abuse, whether physical or psychological to put their concern to the DCPP. The DCPP shall
- record and act immediately on any concerns brought to him/her.
- make referrals to the "Abingdon Assessment Team" of Oxfordshire County Council (tel: 01865 897893) in the event of a child protection concern within AMCT.
- liaise with local social services and other agencies, as appropriate.
- keep relevant people within AMCT informed about any action taken and any further action required.
- ensure that a proper record is kept of any referral and action taken, and that this is kept securely and in confidence.
- maintain a confidential record of staff and teacher appointment checks relevant to child protection.
Code of Practice for Organisation of Activities
This Code applies to all AMCT events i.e.excludes lessons and events where AMCT premises are hired for private use.
- A minimum of two approved staff members must be present at all AMCT events where parents or carers do not stay with the children.
- In any period of 12 months, AMCT will not organise more than five events lasting over two hours in any day for children under 8-years of age where parents or carers are not expected to be present.
- Registration forms shall include a request for information regarding participants' health conditions of which the leaders should be aware.
- The event leader must ensure that an appropriate First Aid kit is available at the event.
- The event leader must ensure that no unauthorised person has unsupervised access to the children.
Code of Practice for Staff involved with children
- All staff should be as open as possible in dealing with children, and it is important that no more time should be spent alone with children than is necessary .
- Do not to have physical contact with children except as needed in a group activity, in which case the parent's or carer's permission must be obtained (verbally) beforehand .
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Do not take children out of a group activity room unless unavoidable e.g. for the toilet. If it is necessary to take a child out , ensure that
– other adults in the group are aware
– doors are left open between the group and destination - Do not make suggestive or inappropriate remarks to or about a child, even in fun, as this could be misinterpreted.
- Do not to deter children from making a "disclosure" of abuse through fear of not being believed, and to listen to what they have to say.
Good practice includes valuing and respecting children as individuals, and the adult modeling of appropriate conduct - which will always exclude bullying, intimidation, shouting, racism, sectarianism or sexism.
Approved by the Trustees
September 2010