Child Protection Policy for the 2009 Festival
Child Protection Co-ordinator - Mrs Gillian Irvine
1 Simonside Close, Kirkhill, Morpeth, NE61 2XY.
In addition all Committee Members are CRB checked and can be identified by their name tags.
Note: The definition and use of the word Parent(s) throughout this Policy includes Guardians, Carers, and/or Teachers of vulnerable adults and/or children under 18.
1. PURPOSES OF THE ORGANISATION:
The Festival's mission is to provide a platform for performance of music by amateurs of all ages and abilities in a competitive but friendly atmosphere.
Our key objectives are:
- to hold and promote Annual Festivals;
- to present and promote public performances, concerts, workshops and masterclasses;
- to provide an educational element which will encourage and maintain high standards through the provision of professional adjudicators.
2. TO WHOM THIS POLICY APPLIES:
This Policy relates to children under the age of 18, and to those vulnerable persons of any age who are identified to the Child Protection Co-ordinator prior to their arrival at the Festival.
In recognising the needs of children from minority ethnic groups and children who are disabled, the Festival actively seeks to meet any needs notified to the Child Protection Co-ordinator by Parents prior to their arrival at the Festival.
3. THE FESTIVAL ENVIRONMENT:
The Wansbeck Music Festival seeks to create a caring environment with the highest possible level of protection for children and others to whom this Policy applies. The Festival’s procedure implementing this Policy will inform and involve Parents in order to ensure, as far as it is reasonably practicable, there will be a safe environment at the Festival.
4. IDENTIFICATION OF FESTIVAL PERSONNEL:
Distinctive name badges will identify Festival Officers and Committee Members all of whom have been processed and cleared by the Criminal Records Bureau.
All Festival personnel are volunteers. The roles of all Festival personnel are considered during recruitment. The Festival holds full contact details for all personnel.
All Festival personnel are fully aware of and support this Child Protection Policy.
Festival personnel are vigilant in monitoring areas where children and vulnerable adults are in attendance. They will challenge any adult/s in any sensitive area if they are not accompanying children or vulnerable adults. All Festival personnel are informed how to direct children and vulnerable adults with a problem to the designated person(s). Every problem will be taken seriously and will be documented and dated. Dependant on the nature of the problem, the documentation may be supplied to the appropriate authorities, including the Police.
This decision will be taken by the CP Co-ordinator or other Officer on duty, in consultation with the authorities before documentation is passed over. Copies of all documentation will be retained in Festival records.
5. PREPARATION FOR ATTENDANCE AT THE FESTIVAL:
In order for the Festival to provide the highest level of child protection during the Festival, Parent(s) must be responsible for making sure that their child under 18 or vulnerable adult is at all times accompanied and adequately supervised by him/herself or by a teacher or a suitable adult who will be required to remain in the building until the child or vulnerable adult leaves. Any person in this supervisory capacity will be expected to pay the admission fee to the auditorium.
It is our rule to make this a condition for performers wishing to take part in the Festival, and we ensure that a copy of our Child Protection Policy is sent to all Parents of such entrants by mail direct to their home address, or via their teacher who will be asked to provide the Festival with written confirmation that they have passed the Policy on to the Parents.
NOTE: If there are special needs which cannot be satisfied by supervision of a Parent, this must be made known in writing to the Festival Secretary with the entrant’s application form.
6. PERFORMANCE AND WAITING AREAS:
Festival personnel will be in attendance in all performance and rehearsal areas.
Attention is drawn to the fact that Festival personnel will not supervise public areas, such as toilets.
7. AUDIO AND VISUAL RECORDING:
The use of all audio or visual recording equipment is strictly forbidden during all classes. It is possible to photograph between classes but only where prior permission has been sought and obtained from an Officer of the Festival or the Teacher responsible for that particular child. The general taking of photographs is not permitted.
An authorised Festival or Press photographer, designated by a badge, may take photographs which could be used to advertise the Festival but will seek the permission of the Parent before doing so. If there is any objection to any child or vulnerable adult being photographed whilst attending the Festival, the Festival Hon Secretary, or authorised carer, must be informed in writing before the Festival commences in order that instructions can be issued.
8. THE LEGISLATION AND GUIDANCE THAT SUPPORTS THIS POLICY:
- The Children Act 1989 and 2004
- The Police Act 1997
- The Data Protection Act 1998
- The Human Rights Act 1998
- The Protection of Children Act 1999, as updated in 2005
- The Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000.
- The Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
9. POLICY REVIEW:
Festival organisers will constantly review their Policy, improving and enhancing it as necessary. In doing this they will look to other agencies for good practice, most notably the NSPCC and Arts Council of England policy guidelines.
NB The Festival reviews this Policy annually