CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

 

 Voice Box Classes values young people and children as being a vital part of the organisation and desires to see them grow, mature and be challenged in a healthy and safe environment. The name of the child protection officer for the group will be displayed in the minutes dated 21.06.23, and a copy of this child protection policy will be kept with Ellie Gough the managing Director. The purpose of Voice Box Classes is to offer the children a safe and welcoming environment with fun activities where the children can grow and learn in all disciplines or performing arts and showcase their work. Voice Box Classes Aims To provide activities for children and young people to help them develop from childhood into adulthood and to provide support for them.  To enable the children to express themselves. All through the help and learning of performing Arts.  

 

1. Each child and young person should be formally registered within the group. The information includes an information/consent form which their parent/guardian must complete. These forms have vital information about health and emergency contacts and should be kept securely and brought to each session. 

2. Attendance register: a register should be kept for each session. 

 

Child protection lead is Ellie Gough contact details available to all with herself being the first point of contact. If any worker / volenteer has any child safety concerns, they should discuss them with her. she will take on the following responsibilities:  Ensuring that the policy is being put into practice;  Being the first point of contact for child protection issues;  Keeping a record of any concerns expressed about child protection issues; address child protection concerns by contacting the Local Authority if appropriate;  Ensuring that paid staff and volunteers are given appropriate supervision;  Ensuring that everyone involved with the organisation is aware of the identity of the Child Protection lead. The policy will be reviewed on an annual basis to ensure that it is meeting its aims. 

 

Trips/Outings 1. When organising a trip/outing make sure a trip/outing slip is completed. This includes details about the trip and a section for parents to give their consent. These slips must be returned before the event takes place and must be brought on the trip with the completed group information/consent forms. (If a group information/consent form has not already been completed for a child or young person, then it will need to be completed). 

2. Ensure that there is adequate insurance for the work and activities. Personal/Personnel Safety  A group of children or young people under sixteen should not be left unattended at any time.  Avoid being alone with an individual child or young person for a long time. If there is a need to be alone with a child or young person (e.g. first aid or he/she is distressed) make sure that another worker knows where you are and why.  At no time should a volunteer or worker from any external organisation arrange to meet a young person away from the activity without someone else being there.  As such meetings should be planned and have the approval (this must be someone other than the organiser themselves).  Teenage assistants should always be supervised. 1. Make sure that the area you are using for activities is fit for the purpose, e.g. remove furniture, which could cause injury in energetic games. 2. Make sure that all workers and assistants know  Where the emergency phone is and how to operate it  Where the first aid kit is  Who is responsible for First Aid and how to record accidents or injuries in the incident book  What to do in the event of a fire or other emergency 

3. Once a year there should be a fire practice. 

4. Do not let children go home without an adult unless the parent has specifically said thy may do so. Never let a child go with another adult unless the parent has informed you that this will happen.

 5. If private cars are used for an outing, the drivers must be approved by the company, be properly insured, have rested before driving, and should have clean licenses. There should always be at least one other responsible person (16 or over) in each vehicle. All vehicles should be fitted with full seatbelts, not just lap belts. Full seatbelts should always be used. Under normal circumstances, workers should only give a lift home to a young person from group activities if the parents of the young person have specifically asked for them to do so. (If workers are asked to give a young person or child a lift home, they are not obliged to do so, it is left to their discretion). In the case of trips or outings, it should be made clear if workers’ cars will be used and where the children or young people will be returned to. New Workers Workers and assistants are by far the most valuable resource the group has for working with young people. 

 

When recruiting and selecting paid workers and volunteers the following steps will be taken:  Completion of an application form;  An interview by the director, who will take the final decision;  Identifying reasons for gaps in employment, and other inconsistencies in the application;  Checking of the applicants’ identity (passport, driving license, etc);  Taking up references prior to the person starting work;  Ensuring criminal record checks have been carried out through relevant local agencies approved by the Criminal Records Bureau;  Taking appropriate advice before employing someone with a criminal record;  Allowing no unaccompanied access to children until all of the above have been completed;  A probationary period of 3 months for new paid workers and volunteers;  On-going supervision of paid workers and volunteers;  Ensuring good practice is followed in working with children and young people by providing appropriate training and guidance;  A nominated child Protection representative in the company. Training It is a great benefit if workers undertake regular training for this type of work. The company should keep workers informed of relevant courses. 

 

What is child protection? 

Child protection is the response to the different ways in which a young person’s or child’s physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual health are damaged by the actions of another person. 

What you should do

 1. Listen to the child/young person

 2. Look at them directly and do not promise to keep any secrets before you know what they are, but always let the child/young person know if, and why, you are going to tell anyone 

3. Look at them directly and do not promise to keep any secrets before you know what they are, but always let the child/young person know if, and why, you are going to tell anyone

 4. Take whatever is said to you seriously and help the child/young person to trust his/her own feelings. Take notes of exactly what is said to you avoiding assumptions and conjecture.

 5. It is note the role of the worker to investigate any allegations (this would contaminate evidence if a situation went to court). Any disclosure by a child/young person must be reported to the named child protection officer. 

6. Speak immediately to the Local Authority or NSPCC for further advice and guidance. 

 

What you should not do 

1. Project workers/volunteers should not begin investigating the matter themselves.

 2. Do not discuss the matter with anyone except the correct people in authority. 

3. Do not form your own opinions and decide to do nothing.

 

 Things to say or do:

  ‘What you are telling me is very important’  This is not your fault’  ‘I am sorry that this has happened/is happening’ ‘You were right to tell someone’  What you are telling me should not be happening to you and I will find out the best way to help you’  Make notes soon after the event. Try to write down exactly what the young person or child said. Avoid assumptions or conjecture. 

 

Things not to say or do:  

Do not ask leading questions – Why? How? What?  Do not say ‘Are you sure?’  Do not show your own emotions e.g. shock/disbelief  Do not make false promises

 

 This policy was adopted by Voice Box Classes on 21.06. 23 

 

Signed by: Child protection lead / Managing director

Signatur: EJGough 

Date: 21.16.23

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Anti-bullying Policy

Here at Voice Box Classes We do not tolerate bullying of any kind and It is expected that parents will support VB Classes in encouraging their children to show respect and support VB Classes’s authority when disciplining its pupils. Any incident of apparent bullying is investigated. DfE guidance defines bullying as “actions that are meant to be hurtful and which happen on a regular basis. Bullying can be direct or indirect.”

At VB Classes we are committed to working with staff, pupils, parents and carers to create and maintain a happy, family friendly atmosphere where all forms of bullying will not be tolerated, including when bullying is motivated by prejudice or negative attitudes towards a person’s race, religion, nationality, ethnicity, disability, gender, gender identity and sexual orientation (LGBT).

VB Classes anti-bullying policy has been developed with due regard for our duties and obligations under existing legislation for the safeguarding and wellbeing of all our pupils and we will take all steps to ensure their safety.

VB Classes aim to build a feeling of confidence in children and parents so that they know that all reports or suspicions of bullying will be investigated.

VB classes aim to equip children with the skills, attitudes and values that will prepare them for adult life. Children who exhibit bullying behavior may carry it into adult life. Prevention of bullying In order to avoid bullying VB Classes aims to establish a positive approach to behavior.

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Behaviour Policy 2017

Standards of Behaviour expected: All members of the dance school community are expected to:
be responsible for their own actions and know how to behave.

• show self-discipline and support others.

• have good manners and be polite.

• show understanding and respect towards each other and others’ property.

• display positive attitudes to school and work which emphasises high standards.

Occasionally, parents need to be more directly involved and we believe that by working closely with pupils and parents we can achieve positive results.

VB Classes staff are responsible for modelling good behaviour and having high expectations of all children with regard to their behaviour. The studio environment gives clear messages to the children about the extent to which they and their efforts are valued. Resources should be arranged to promote independent learning and minimise disruption. Displays should help develop self-esteem through demonstrating the value of every individual’s contribution.

Praise should be used to encourage good behaviour as well as good work.

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Data Protection Act

Voice Box Classes keeps records of pupils on a computer database with password protection for the purpose of efficiency and consistency of administration. They can be viewed by you at any time. We will not share any of your personal details without your permission, aside from where the law allows. This complies with the Data Protection Act 1998.

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Disabilities Policy

VB Classes recognises that it has clear obligations towards all its students to ensure that they all afford the opportunity to realise their full potential.

VB Classes tries to anticipate the needs of all students who join with a disability or special need, or who become impaired during their course of study. The aim is that no one should be disadvantaged in any way.

If students have impairment, or have special requirements, they are encouraged to inform us as soon as possible (usually on the application form). We rely on the parent/student to tell us what is needed. This will give us time to check that we can meet particular needs or, if not, make sure that suitable provision is in place by the time that students arrive. This policy embraces the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

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Health and Safety Policy

VB Classes aim to keep the working environment clean, tidy and free from hazards. Our teachers endeavour to conduct dance classes in a safe and proper manner, encouraging good warm-up and cool-down practices and supplementing the syllabus exercises by keeping abreast of the most up to date thinking in dance/sport medicine. Regular checks and procedures to support our health and safety will be in line with our risk assessment. 

 

First Aid

Voice Box Classes  will comply with the requirements of the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981.First aid boxes are located within the Birchmeadow Center premises and checked on a monthly basis Miss Ellie the first aid Lead and where necessary the contents replenished. The minimum legal provision of a suitably stocked first aid box will always be met.