Child Policy

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Protection Statement -Behaviour Statement -Administration of Policy -Admission of new Volunteers -Appendix

Child Policy and Guidlines

Lions Youth Brass organisation accepts that their Child Protection Policy will address the following points:
1. Adopt a policy on safeguarding the welfare of young people and its members.
2. Make all children and young people aware that they may talk with an independent person.
3. Introduce and apply agreed procedures for protecting young people to all volunteers associated with the bands.
4. Introduce and issue guidelines to all volunteers on how to deal with any disclosure or discovery of abuse.
5. Identify any areas of training for its volunteers, relating to implementation and administration of policy procedures in the prevention of child abuse.
6. Follow the Child Protection guidelines issued by the British Federation of Brass Bands, BFBB.

October 2007

Lions Youth Brass Protection Policy Statement

Lions Youth Brass Management Committee and all Volunteers associated with the band, will work to ensure that we;
• Safeguard the welfare and well-being of the children and young people linked to our group
• Provide a safe environment where children and young people are always listened to and encouraged to talk about themselves, their family, their lives and experiences or concerns they might have.
• Recognise that children and young people suffer abuse in many forms – Physical, Sexual, Emotional and/or Neglect.

BEHAVIOUR STATEMENT:

We always:
• Treat children and young people with respect
• Treat all volunteers with respect and set an example for others to follow
• Be non-judgmental when dealing with children and young people and respect their individual rights.
• Respect the ‘right to privacy’.
• Show tolerance towards children, young people and volunteers.
• Recognise and encourage the achievements of band members.
• Remember that insults or verbal abuse from anyone will not be tolerated and needs to be challenged.
• Be vigilant when dealing with a sensitive matter or situation.
• Be aware of the possible implications of physical contact with children and young people. Recognise that your actions, no matter how well intended, might be misinterpreted.
• Ensure that other adults are present when we are assisting children and young people with uniform change.
• Make sure that all children and young people are supervised at all times by at least one responsible adult. Particularly when they are waiting for and after band practise sessions, concerts, competitions, or auditions.
• Ensure reasonable precautions are taken to protect children and young people from ‘outsiders’ in particular when attending venues for competitions or concerts.
• Inform somebody of our whereabouts if 1 – 1 instruction or audition is required.
• Seek advice whenever in doubt.

We DO NOT:
• Allow bullying
• Allow children or young people to feel “down trodden” or to be made a “fool of” by anyone.
• Make suggestive remarks, gestures or detrimental comments in the presence of children and young people.
• Respond with negativity or sarcasm.
• Allow ourselves to be drawn into any situation which might appear improper.
• Jump to conclusions

ACTION STATEMENT:

We will be proactive at all times and be ready to recognise the signs and symptoms. If we suspect, or if informed that a child or young person is experiencing abuse, we NEVER try to investigate further. We will always refer to the guidelines as set out for reporting an allegation and seek further advice from Social Services. We do not pass judgement on what is said. We will try and reassure the child or young person. We do not ask questions about what we might suspect. We make it clear that we are available to listen and can offer support but that we MUST pass on the information. Remember…Do not try to sort it out yourself.

ADMINISTRATION OF POLICY:

Administration and implementation of all procedures in support of the Child Safety Policy will be the responsibility of Paul and Ann Darlington. The Lions Youth Brass Child Protection Policy will be reviewed on an annual basis.
All volunteers of Lions Youth Brass organisation MUST complete the Volunteer Declaration form and sign to say the have read and agree to comply fully with our Child Protection Policy Statement. All information will be treated in the strictest confidence.

ADMISSION OF NEW VOLUNTEERS / COMMITTEE MEMBERS

All new volunteers and committee members of Lions Youth Brass organisation MUST complete an application and declaration form (Appendix B) which will provide the following:
• Name, address, date of birth.
• Details of any previous experience of working with children/young people.
• Details of any convictions for criminal offences against children, including “spent” convictions (Rehabilitation of Offences Act (exemptions) order 1975)
• Permission to carry out a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Disclosures check.
• Signature.
CRB Disclosures checks will be taken up on all new Lions Youth Brass organisation volunteers.
All information will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Volunteers / Musical Directors who give private tuition to members of Lions Youth Brass must make it clear to parents that such private arrangements are outside of the Lions Youth Brass organisation, and are not subject to the Lions Youth Brass Child Protection Policy and Guidelines.
Lions Youth Brass organisation recognises the importance of the implementation of a Child Protection Policy.
It has therefore identified Paul Darlington and Ann Darlington as the nominated persons who will be responsible for co-ordinating the Child Protection Policy and monitoring its implementation in practice.
If an allegation is made, or concerns are raised, the person in receipt of the alleged allegation shall ensure that a record is made a detailed in Appendix A:

Appendix

All items listed below are available on request

Appendix A

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY - REPORTING ALLEGATIONS

Appendix B

ADMISSION OF NEW VOLUNTEERS / COMMITTEE MEMBERS

All new volunteers and committee members of Lions Youth Brass organisation must complete this application form. This is required by the BFBB and Lions Youth Brass Child Protection Policy:

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