Child Protection Policy

Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy

Introduction

Rye Art Gallery (RAG) is committed to ensuring a safe environment for all visitors. The Trustees welcome visitors including children, young people and vulnerable adults of all ages and abilities to visit the gallery to take part in a variety of activities ranging from visits with their families or teachers, to workshops led by freelance educators/artists and members of the wider RAG team (Staff and Volunteers). On all occasions RAG aims to provide an atmosphere of trust and respect and recognises that all children and young people visiting our museums have a right to protection.

All groups of children, young people and vulnerable adults will be expected to be accompanied by a group leader (teacher or youth worker) or a parent or carer. It would be very unusual for individual attendance without an adult who is legally responsible, but in these rare instances there will be an assigned lead Supervising Person, who has been subject to CRB check. It may also be the case that a child, young person or vulnerable adult comes onto RAG site to seek assistance following an incident that has occurred elsewhere, perhaps in a sister organisation in Rye.

ON SITE: RAG has the following Child Protection Policy, Code of Conduct and Procedures to ensure that we do everything we are able to ensure the safety and protection of all those visiting our gallery (on site).

OFF SITE : On occasions when the RAG team (Staff and Volunteers)is involved in off-site or outreach work the RAG Child Protection Policy will be followed as appropriate.

Trustees RAG believe that:

• The welfare of the child is paramount;
• All visitors, without exception, have the right to protection from abuse;
• All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously by the Trustees and the response will be swift and appropriate;
. Where staff or volunteers are likely to have unsupervsied access to young or vulnerabel people then they will be subject to CRB checks.
• All staff employed, contracted or volunteering for RAG have a responsibility to report concerns to the Chair Trustees or another Trustee as appropriate.
Please note that no staff working for RAG are trained to deal with situations of abuse, or have the power to decide if abuse has occurred.

Policy Statement

Trustees RAG have a duty of care to safeguard all children visiting the gallery. All children have a right to protection, and the needs of disabled children and others who may be particularly vulnerable must be taken into account. In support of "Every Child Matters" RAG staff and Volunteers will make certain they do all that they can to ensure the safety and protection of all children involved in visiting our museums through adherence to the Child Protection Policy adopted by RAG in 2008.

Aims

RAG's Child Protection Policy is to provide children and young people with appropriate safety and protection whilst visiting, by providing all staff employed, contracted or volunteering with a supportive framework of clear procedures within which work and develop good practice. All staff, freelancers and volunteers should have the knowledge to implement the RAG Child Protection policy. Briefing and updates will be provided as appropriate by the Trustees.

The RAG Child Protection Policy will be monitored annually by the Trustees and reviewed on a yearly basis (last reviewed in Dec 08). It will be implemented alongside;

- the overarching RAG strategy
- RAG young peoples policy
- FRAG Volunteer arrangements
- RAG Health & Safety Policy
- RAG Access Policies

Summary & Contact Information – February 2008 Chair RAG on Rye 01797 222433

Code of Conduct

In order to protect Trustees, Staff and Volunteers, and the children, young people or vulnerable adults in RAG, the following procedures apply.

Promote Good Practice

Good practice means:
• Always putting the welfare of all children / young people / disabled adults first.
• Always working in an open environment (e.g. avoiding private or unobserved situations and encouraging open communication with no secrets).
• Treating all children / young people / disabled adults equally, and with respect and dignity.
• Ensuring that, if any form of physical contact is required in the museum, it should be provided openly and young people should always be consulted and their agreement gained.
• In all the drama and role-play workshops staff will work with sensitivity and awareness for the children.

The law allows for the use of reasonable force to prevent accidents or injury to themselves, others or damage to collections. If this is necessary it should be noted in the Accident Book and the names of the people present recorded. If first aid is necessary, this should be administered with another person present and should not be intrusive or disturbing to the child, young person or vulnerable adult.
• Involving parents/carers and teachers wherever possible.
• Being a good role model.
• Giving enthusiastic and constructive feedback rather than negative criticism.
• Recognising the developmental needs and capacity of young people and disabled adults.
• Being aware of any special needs of any child / young person / disabled adult, whether these are due to cultural, religious, physical, emotional or other needs.
• Ensure appropriate supervision of children at all times.
• Deal with a lost child, young person or vulnerable adult within the building following the procedures outlined in Section 3.

In addition
• RAG will always seek appropriate consent for the use of images of children in all forms of publications.
• Appropriate staffing levels for good practice group visits to RAG is 1 Adult :10 children
• Unaccompanied Children under the age of 8 are not allowed in the Gallery.

Practices to be avoided

The following should be avoided except in emergencies. If cases arise where these situations are unavoidable it should be with the full knowledge and consent of someone in charge in the museum or the child’s parents or whoever is acting in loco parentis i.e. a teacher. For example, a child sustains an injury and needs to go to hospital, or a parent fails to arrive to pick a child up at the end of a session:
• Avoid spending excessive amounts of time alone with children away from others
• Avoid physical contact
• Avoid taking or dropping off a child to an event
• Avoid acting in loco parentis
• Avoid taking on the responsibility for tasks for which you are not appropriately trained.

Practices never to be sanctioned

The following should never be sanctioned. You should never:
• Engage in rough, physical or sexually provocative games, including horseplay
• Share a room alone with a child
• Allow or engage in any form of inappropriate touching
• Allow children to use inappropriate language unchallenged
• Make sexually suggestive comments to a child, even in fun
• Deliberately reduce a child to tears as a form of control
• Allow allegations made by a child to go unrecorded or not acted upon
• Do things of a personal nature for children or disabled adults, that they can do for themselves
• Invite or allow children to stay with you at your home unsupervised
• Use inappropriate language such as swearing or sexually or discriminatory remarks about gender or race

Procedures

If any Staff member, Volunteer or Trustee becomes aware of any of the situations below you must report them to the Manager RAG or Chair Trustees or a FRAG Volunteer as appropriate. The most important thing to remember is to make a referral to someone who can begin to deal with the situation.

Situations

• Suspicion that a child, young person or vulnerable adult has been, or is at risk of, being abused.
• A child, young person or vulnerable adult has revealed an incident or incidents to you (known as disclosing).
• A complaint from a member of the public relating to Child Protection issues in the museum.
• A direct allegation made to you, either about yourself or someone else.
• You witness inappropriate behaviour towards a child, young person or vulnerable adult.
• Accidents and injuries – whilst these are not specifically Child Protection issues all accidents and injuries should be recorded in case an allegation is subsequently made.

Responding to allegations or suspicions

It is not the responsibility of anyone working in RAG in a paid or unpaid capacity, to decide whether or not child abuse has taken place. However there is a responsibility to act on any concerns through contact with the appropriate authorities.

If there is any suspicion that any abuse of a child, young person or vulnerable adult, then individuals must write down the suspicions, sign and date on a piece of paper and inform the Chair or any other Trustee as quickly as possible.

On no account should any investigation be pursued by individuals, or the situation discussed anyone else.
The RAG Trust will assure that all staff have the support and protection of the Trustees, who in good faith reports his or her concern that a colleague is, or may be, abusing a child.

Action if a Child Discloses Information

When a child or young person discloses something to you that causes concern, it is important to clearly record this information. Any concerns about a child or young person should be recorded regardless of whether or not it will be ultimately passed on to the statutory authorities via one or more Trustees.

If a child or young person talks about abuse, the member of staff or volunteer should:

• React calmly

• Remember that the child is likely to be frightened or anxious

• Tell the child that he or she was right to tell and is not to blame

• Reassure the child but do not promise confidentiality. You should explain that you will have to speak to someone else who can help.

• Listen carefully and take what the child says seriously

• Recognise the inherent difficulties interpreting what is said by young children

• Ask no more questions than are necessary to ensure that they are clear enough about what has happened to pass the child's concerns on. The child may also be asked to recount their story to social services or the police;

• However, you must not prevent a child from recalling events;

• Make a full written record of what had been said, heard and/or seen as soon as possible.

• Remember that young or disabled children may not be able to express themselves verbally. Communication differences may mean that it is hard for them to complain or be understood. Sometimes abuse of disabled children has gone unrecognised because behavioural clues were interpreted as part of their disability.

The member of staff or volunteer should not:

• Panic

• Allow their shock or distaste to show

• Probe for more information than is offered

• Speculate or make assumptions about what has happened

• Make negative comments about the alleged abuser

• Approach the alleged abuser

• Make promises or agree to keep secrets.

Ation if there are concerns

Responding to suspected abuse

It is not the responsibility of everyone working with children to decide if child abuse is taking place. It is, however, their responsibility to act on any concerns and to safeguard children in order to allow the appropriate agencies to take any necessary action.
Social Services and the Police have a legal responsibility to safeguard the welfare of a child and have a duty to investigate any potential case of child abuse. When concerns arise about the safety of a child, the following action should be taken ~

 If any member of staff or a volunteer has concerns that a child is being abused, they must report their concerns to a Trustee so that an official at Rother DC can handle the event.

 The Trustees will decide whether to involve Social Services and/or if appropriate the school that the child attends. If the signs are insufficient to warrant reporting the incident, an incident report should be completed, (Forms are held at each site by the VSS) recording date, times, nature of injury or behaviour and child’s explanation of what had happened. The notes should be based on fact only and should not refer to child abuse.

 It is the responsibility of the Trustees to inform Social Services. In their absence, the staff member or volunteer who is first concerned should contact Social Services.

 It may be difficult to contact Social Services out of office hours. In these circumstances, where it is necessary to avoid delay, contact the Police.

 Parents are the most important people in a child’s life and should be involved in decisions relating to their child. Where Social Services are to be involved, decide with them how parents or carers are to be informed. Remember, the parent may be the abuser and in these circumstances immediate contact with statutory agencies (Police, Social Services) should be made.

 All concerns regarding child abuse should be treated as a priority and acted upon immediately. Remember to time and date notes.

Responding to poor practice:

• If, following consideration, the allegation is clearly about poor practice; the RAG Team will deal with it as a misconduct issue.

• If the allegation is about poor practice by the RAG Team, or if the matter has been handled inadequately and concerns remain, it should be reported Rother DC Child Protection Officer, who will decide how to deal with the allegation and whether or not to initiate disciplinary proceedings.

Concerns about suspected abuse

• Any suspicion that a child has been abused by either a member of staff or a volunteer should be recorded on paper, dated and reported to a member of the RAG Team, who should be asked to take such steps as considered necessary to ensure the safety of the child in question and any other child who may be at risk.

• Any concerns about the behaviour of a member of staff, should be recorded a on paper, signed and dated and passed on to Chair RAG Trustees.

• Do not try and investigate the situation or discuss with anyone else.

• The welfare of the child should remain of paramount importance throughout.

Confidentiality

Every effort should be made to ensure that confidentiality is maintained for all concerned. Information should be handled and disseminated on a need to know basis only.
Storage of information & the disposal of reports must be handled with appropriate care.

Staffing

RAG recognises that the issues surrounding Child Protection are sensitive and have the potential to be distressing and damaging to members of staff who become involved in them. It will endeavour to support staff who are involved in allegations of abuse in any way, either within the Service, the Council or by involving outside agencies, for example counsellors.

Recruitment of staff

RAG recognises that anyone may have the potential to abuse children in some way and that all reasonable steps are taken to ensure unsuitable people are prevented from working with children. Due to the nature of RAG, there are various categories of the RAG Team who may be involved in engaging with the public both informally and through our education and activities programme.

RAG requires that all staff involved in leading an education session, employed, contracted or volunteering for RAG and likely to engage with our public will;

• Agree to the RAG Child Protection Policy and RAG Child Protection Procedures.
• As required by Chair RAG Trustees hold a CRB Enhanced disclosure certificate with Rother DC not less than 3 years old.
• Have understood the Health and Safety and Risk Assessment requirements and responsibilities relating to the session as well as gained knowledge of the audience.

In conjunction with Trustees, all members of the RAG Team must ensure that they:

• Recognise their responsibilities and report any concerns about suspected poor practice or possible abuse.
• Respond to concerns expressed by a child or young person.
Work safely effectively with children.
• Volunteers/Staff who do not hold CRB clearance should not be left responsible/alone with children.

Training and Awareness

All new members of the RAG Team will be made aware of the Child Protection Policy as part of their induction to RAG. Basic Child Protection awareness training will be given to all members of staff. Enhanced training will be given to any members of staff in regular contact with children and who are not subject to CRB checks in their normal employment. Any individual needing more detailed guidance and training for new and existing staff will be identified by the Trustees and their training needs handled on a "one off" basis.

The Trustees are aware that there are different levels of Disclosure:

Standard: applicable to both staff and volunteers, who are in regular contact with children or vulnerable people. Contact could be virtual or face to face. Regular could mean more than once.

Enhanced: This is for staff and volunteers with regular unsupervised contact with children or vulnerable people. Such individuals will include those organising young peoples' workshops and similiar events.

The Trustees have considered which levels of Disclosure would be appropriate for staff and volunteers, taking into account a risk assessment of factors such as the nature of events, the layout of the site and RAG working practices.

Related information can be found on:

The CRB website www.crb.gov.uk.

Every Child Matters www.everychildmatters.org.uk

Criminal Records Bureau www.crb.gov.uk

Children Act 2004 (section 11), Education Act 2002 (section 175) www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2004/20040031
Surestart www.surestart.gov.uk

NSPCC www.nspcc.org.uk

Volunteering England www.volunteering.org.uk

Keeping the arts safe, Arts Council 2003 www.artscouncil.org.uk

Voluntary Arts Network www.voluntaryarts.org

RAG CONTACTS

Chair RAG TRustees Anthony Kimber PhD MSc
Trustee Jo Townshend BA
Trustee David Crew BA
Supervisor Workshops Jo Ho
Manager Sarah Money