CARLISLE AND DISTRICT MUSIC AND DRAMA FESTIVAL CHILD PROTECTION POLICY 2010

Chairman: Mr R Bowman

Secretary: Mrs G Tod

Treasurer: Mr R Tringham

Music Co-ordinator: Mr A Peacock

Speech and Drama Co-ordinator: Mrs K. Lishman

Venue: St Cuthbert's Church, Carlisle

Dates: 8th to 13th March 2010

 

The safety of children and members of other vulnerable groups is paramount and all, without exception, have the right to protection from abuse. All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately and all the charity's trustees, staff and volunteers have a responsibility to report concerns.

 

1. PURPOSE AND FUNCTION OF THE ASSOCIATION "The Object of the Association shall be to advance the education of the public in the Arts, and in particular the Arts, Speech and Drama in all their branches."

2. THE FESTIVAL ENVIRONMENT The Festival organisers will seek to provide a safe environment with the highest possible protection for all children under the ages of 18 and all vulnerable adults.

3. TO WHOM THIS POLICY APPLIES This policy relates to children under the age of 18 and those vulnerable adults of any age who are identified to the organisers prior to their arrival at the Festival. This should be done by contacting the Secretary. In recognising the needs of children from all ethnic groups and children who are disabled, the Festival organisers actively seek to meet needs notified to them by parents/ guardians/ carers and/or teachers.

4. FESTIVAL PERSONNEL All Festival personnel, including the committee are volunteers. Recruitment of Festival personnel is by personal recommendation of those already involved in the Festival. All Festival personnel have been given a copy of this policy and have agreed to support it. All Festival personal are identified by badges. Should a problem arise it should be reported to one of these officials. Any reporting incident will be taken seriously, documented and, if necessary, reported to other appropriate agencies including the police.

5. PREPARATION FOR ATTENDANCE AT THE FESTIVAL In order for the Festival to provide the highest levels of child protection, all parents, guardians, and carers must be responsible for ensuring that children and vulnerable adults are at all times accompanied and adequately supervised by him/ herself, a teacher, or a suitable adult who will be required to remain with the child or vulnerable adult at the Festival. The Child Protection Policy will be printed annually in the syllabus and programme: it will also be readily available at all times through the Festival. The Committee will ensure that a copy of this Child Protection Policy is sent to parents, guardians, and carers of children under 18 and vulnerable adults, via their school or private teacher, who will sign a clause on the entry form acknowledging the fact that they have passed on the policy to the relevant parents, guardians or carers of children under 18 and vulnerable adults. In the case of private entries it will be sent by post along with the receipt for entry fees.

6. PERFORMANCE AND CHANGING AREAS Carlisle Festival does not include dance competitions; therefore changing facilities are not required. However, parents should note that the Festival personnel cannot be held responsible for the supervision of practice areas, public areas, both inside and outside the competition halls, the area where refreshments are available and the toilets.

7. PHOTOGRAPHS, VIDEOTAPES AND PRESS PHOTOGRAPHY The use of any audio or visual recording equipment during the Festival is strictly forbidden. Press photographers attend at various times throughout the Festival and can be identified by their official badges. If any parent, guardian or carer of a child under 18 or vulnerable adult objects to press photography being taken it is his/ her responsibility to ensure that the person in charge of the child or vulnerable adult at the Festival has been informed of his/ her wishes.

8. THE LEGISLATION AND GUIDANCE THAT SUPPORTS THIS POLICY The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, The Children's Act 1989, The Police Act 1997, The Data Protection Act 1998, The Human Rights Act 1998, The Protection of Children Act 1999, The Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000, The Children's Act 2004, The Vulnerable Groups Act 2006.

9. POLICY REVIEW The Committee will constantly review their policy, revising it and enhancing it as necessary. In doing this, they will look to the British Federation of Festivals for support and that body will in turn look at other agencies for good practice, most notably the NSPCC and the Arts Council of England policy guidelines.

 

 

CHILD PROTECTION OFFICER

Mrs B. Heath