Safeguarding children is a phrase most people will have heard of but may find it difficult to define. The Working together to Safeguard Children 2018 guidance by HM Government provides an explanation.  Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is defined as:

• protecting children from maltreatment
• preventing impairment of children’s health or development
• ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care
• taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.

“Safeguarding children – the action we take to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm – is everyone’s responsibility. Everyone who comes into contact with children and families has a role to play”.

Statement

VIVA has a strong and effective safeguarding culture, everything we do, and the ways in which we behave, all contribute to a strong culture of safeguarding in our organisation. Everyone is expected to behave in a way which contributes to a safe and happy environment. This means that all adults and young people are expected to treat others with respect and not to behave in anyway which might cause harm to anyone else.

Anyone who raises a concern can feel confident that will be taken seriously and handled appropriately. Any concerns will be dealt with appropriately and deal with every concern  in a professional and proportionate manner. The safeguarding lead will work with external agencies to get the right help for the young people concerned.

We will ensure that:

• making the environment as safe as possible for children and young people
• ensuring children are properly supervised by the right people
• following the relevant legislation and guidance for child performers.

There are four main elements to our policy and statement.

PREVENTION

ROCEEDURES

SUPPORTING CHILDREN

PREVENTING UNSUITABLE PEOPLE WORKING WITH CHILDREN

Types of child abuse

Child abuse is where anyone under the age of 18 is harmed or not given the care they need. There are 4 main types of abuse. 

Physical abuse

If someone purposely hurts a child or young person this is physical abuse.

This could be, hitting, shaking, burning, drowning or suffocating.

Sexual abuse

If a child or young person is asked or forced to take part in or watch sexual activity, this is sexual abuse.

This can include making a child or young person do sexual things to themselves or other people, showing them sexual material or taking photos or filming them doing sexual things.

Emotional abuse

Emotional abuse is when a child or young person is made to feel worthless, wrong, unfairly blamed, bullied or frightened.

Neglect

Neglect is when a child or young person is not looked after properly. Children need food, shelter, safety, clothing, cleanliness, access to medical treatment and protection from harm.

1. All involved in the work of Viva Youth Theatre are called to recognise the unique status of children. There is a special need to respect them as individuals and protect them in their vulnerability. All children matter in their own right and are to be taken seriously. (‘Children’ refers to young people of 16 years of age or younger.)
2.  The organisation should endeavour to foster relationships of the utmost integrity, truthfulness and trustworthiness. All who work with children within the group in any paid or voluntary capacity need to operate within our framework of good policy and practice, which will ensure that children are safeguarded and nurtured physically and emotionally. All are expected to exercise the greatest care in their use of power and authority and must avoid taking advantage of trust. All groups will have adequate adult leadership from individuals who have been DBS checked and/or have become licensed chaperones. Adults will not work alone with children.
3. The highest professional standards will be maintained in all pastoral, counselling, educational, rehearsal and recreational situations. The exploitation of any relationship for self-gratification will not be tolerated.
4. Viva Youth Theatre accepts the principle enshrined in the Children Act 1989 that the welfare of the child is paramount. Viva will follow with CCC recommendations regarding child protection procedures as shown at: https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/children-and-families/children-s-social-care/safeguarding-children-and-child-protection
5. Allegations of abuse will be taken seriously, and appropriate steps will be taken.
6. Viva Youth Theatre will collaborate fully with the statutory and voluntary agencies concerned with child abuse.
7. All those working or seeking to work with children will be properly recruited, trained and supported, and will be subject to whatever supervision is appropriate.
8. All candidates for employment will be asked to declare whether they have any criminal convictions or whether certain types of orders of the civil courts have been made against them, and whether they have caused significant harm to a child or put a child at risk of significant harm.
9. The following will be asked to complete and submit the confidential declaration form, which forms part of the Child Protection Folder.
10.  All paid staff and volunteers working or seeking to work in a capacity which involves work with children or which is likely to involve opportunities for unsupervised contact with them.
11. A search with the Disclosure and Barring Service will be made for all candidates seeking work as paid staff or volunteers, and will be a condition of their employment.
12. Any person wishing to engage in photography of any description, including video, at a Viva event, must register their details and gain permission from an appropriate Viva designated volunteer or Viva trustee before carrying out any such activity. This includes parents of Viva child performers. Persons other than parents, Viva employees, trustees, or bona fide members of the press must provide evidence of their identity and position before any consideration can be given.
13. When there are concerns about the welfare of any child/young person, all adults are expected to share those concerns with the Safeguarding Lead as soon as possible.
14. The Safeguarding Lead is responsible for arranging child protection training for Viva staff and volunteers, recording and monitoring concerns, making referrals to social care services where necessary and liaison with other agencies as required. He/she will be responsible for keeping up-to-date with any local or national change in child protection policy or process. Is also aware of Keeping Children Safe in Education and statutory safeguarding guidance.

15. PREVENT RADICALISATION

VIVA recognises the positive contribution it can make towards protecting children and young people from radicalisation to violent extremism. We will continue to empower children and young people to create communities that are resilient to extremism and support the wellbeing of particular children and young people who may be vulnerable to being drawn into violent extremism or crime. It will also continue to promote the development of spaces for free debate where shared values can be reinforced. Radicalisation is the process by which individuals come to support terrorism or violent extremism. There is no typical profile for a person likely to become involved in extremism, or for a person who moves to adopt violence in support of their particular ideology. Although a number of possible behavioural indicators are listed below, staff should use their professional judgement and discuss with other colleagues if they have any concerns:

 ▪ Use of inappropriate language

 ▪ Possession of violent extremist literature including electronic material accessed via the internet and communication such as e-mail and text messages

▪ Behavioural changes

▪ The expression of extremist views

▪ Advocating violent actions and means

 ▪ Association with known extremists

▪ Seeking to recruit others to an extremist ideology

If staff have any significant concerns about a child/young person beginning to support terrorism and/or violent extremism, they should discuss this with the Designated Safeguarding trustee.

Child on Child Abuse

We recognise the child on child abuse can manifest itself in many ways. This can include but not limited to:

• bullying,
• abuse within intimate partner relationships,
• physical abuse such as hitting, kicking, shaking, biting, hair pulling or otherwise causing physical harm
• Sexual violence and sexual harassment
• Consensual and non consensual sharing of nudes and semi nudes images and/or videos
• Causing someone to engage in sexual activity without consent

VIVA makes it clear that there is a zero tolerance to sexual violence and sexual harassment, that it is never acceptable and will not be tolerated

Viva will ensure that processes are in place to protect members against this and alert the correct agencies if an issue should arise.

VIVA recognises the differences between ‘playing out’ within sessions and real life and is alert to the potential signs and symptoms of radicalisation, but are not limited to , sudden but continuing change in :

• Physical appearance or dress code
• Physical and behavioural attitudes towards others
• Use of inappropriate, discriminatory and offensive language
• Sharing of inappropriate images
• Encouraging others to use offensive or discriminatory language

We are aware performing arts activities can take place in a variety of settings. But we aware there are things we can do to make the environment as safe as possible by the following:

• make sure rehearsal or teaching rooms are open, accessible and well lit.
• provide separate changing areas for children of each gender and for adults.
• follow health and safety legislation and guidance.

There are also lots of things that we make sure children feel comfortable. For example:

• the activity is suitable for children to be involved in (for example no nudity, bad language or sexual content)
• everything we do is appropriate for the youngest or most vulnerable person (this could be due to age or stage of the child’s development)
• any physical contact is appropriate, justifiable, agreed by the child and approached sensitively.

We also ask for children’s opinions and encourage them to speak out about anything that’s worrying them.

Working with parents

It important for parents and carers to be fully informed about:

• the nature of the work you’re doing with their child
• the young person’s role
• the commitment required.

Parents will be kept up to date with the times of all lessons or rehearsals, especially if plans change. If possible, provide a space where parents can watch unobtrusively.

 Points to note. Adult to child ratios for working with children

Guidance on appropriate levels of supervision for children and young people:

When working with groups of children and young people there must be enough adults to provide the appropriate level of supervision.

We will make sure we have enough staff and volunteers to ensure children are safe.

Lone Working

In most situations we want the  best practice to be at least two adults present when working with children and young people.

Sometimes it may be appropriate or necessary for an adult to have one-to-one contact with a child or supervise a small group of children on their own. This could happen, for example if a child in a group becomes ill or asks to speak to a trusted adult alone or our work involves one-to-one mentoring or visiting young people living independently.

It is everyone’s responsibility to protect children. If you are working alone with children, either in a paid or voluntary capacity, you need to take steps to ensure they are.

Safeguarding and child protection for tutors/ Directors/stage managers

Tutors can become an important part of a child or young person’s life. Over a period of time tutors can build up a strong, trusting relationship with children and their families and play a key role in providing support.

Our tutors can have varied roles

• work with groups of children
• work on a one-to-one basis

Any responsible adults who work with our youth members have the responsibility to promote children’s wellbeing. It’s important they are able to recognise and respond appropriately to any concerns and help keep children safe.

It’s also vital to make sure children and young people are safe during a tutoring/ workshop or rehearsal  sessions. This includes making sure all tutors/directors/stage managers have undergone the necessary checks, and steps are taken to mitigate any risks during sessions.

Tutors, parents and children need to be clear about professional boundaries and appropriate behaviour to avoid any potential misunderstandings or allegations.

The Lead Trustee for Safeguarding leads upon policy and procedure oversight, including:  Mrs Anne Bevan

• Ensuring that policy and procedures are fully implemented and followed by all staff/volunteers
• Being kept informed of all serious safeguarding incident forms and feeding in as necessary
•  Reporting to Trustees upon any observations and/or findings concerning safeguarding

 All members of staff/volunteers have a responsibility to safeguard children and young people from harm, including:

• Being vigilant of the signs that may indicate a child/young person is experiencing harm or is at risk of harm
• Report any disclosures or concerns, as soon as possible, to the Designated Safeguarding Officer or the Designated Safeguarding Ambassador
•  When taking a disclosure from a child/young person remembering not to ask any leading questions

HEARING A DISCLOSUR

If a child/young person says or indicates that they are being abused, or information is obtained which gives concern that a child/young person is being abused, you should follow the below guidance:

 RECEIVE:

• Listen to what is being said, without displaying shock or disbelief.
• Accept what is said and react calmly so as not to frighten the child/young person.
• Make a note of what has been said as soon as possible.

REASSURE:

• Reassure the child/young person that they have done the right thing by telling you.
• Tell the child/young person they are not to blame and that it was right to tell; I am glad you came to me.
• It is important that you do not promise to keep it a secret as your professional responsibilities may require you to report the matter. If you make this promise to a child/young person and then break it, you confirm to the child/young person yet again that adults are not to be trusted.

REACT:

• Take what the child/young person says seriously, recognising the difficulties inherent in interpreting what is said by a child/young person who has a speech disability and/or differences in language;
• Do not ask ‘leading’ questions, for example ‘what did they do next?’ (This assumes they did!), or ‘did they touch your private parts?’ Such questions may invalidate your evidence (and that of the child/young person) in any later prosecution in court.
• Explain what you have to do next and whom you have to talk to.

RECORD:

• Make some brief notes at the time on any paper which comes to hand.
• Do not destroy your original notes in case they are required by a court.
• Record the date, time, place, persons present and any noticeable non-verbal behaviour.
• Be specific when noting the words used by the child/young person.

REPORTING ALLEGATIONS, SUSPICIONS OR CONCERNS

It is not the responsibility of anyone at VIVA to decide whether or not a child/young person is being abused or might be abused. However, there is a responsibility to act on concerns to protect children and young people in order that appropriate agencies can then make enquiries and take any necessary action to protect the child/person.

ALLEGATIONS OF MISCONDUCT OR ABUSE BY STAFF/VOLUNTEERS

In the event of allegations being made against an employee (staff or voluntary), VIVA has a dual responsibility in respect of both the child/young person and employee. The same person must not have responsibility for dealing with the welfare issues about children and young people and the staff employment issues.

Two separate procedures must be followed:

1. In respect of the child/young person the Designated Safeguarding Trustee will lead the process related to the child/young person;
2. In respect of the staff member against whom the allegation is made the Designated Safeguarding Trustee will lead the process related to the staff member.

With regards to the child/young person, the aforementioned process will be followed. With regards to the staff member against whom the allegation is made, the below process will be followed:

1. will make formal contact with Cambridgeshire County Council who is responsible for providing instruction in the event of an allegation of abuse or suspicious behaviour made against a staff member
2. VIVA is legally required to alert the LADO (local authority designated officer) to all cases in which it is alleged that a person who works with children and young people has:

 a.) Behaved in a way that has harmed, or may have harmed, a child/children and/or a young person/young people;

 b.) Possibly committed a criminal offence against a child/children and/or a young person/young people;

c.) Behaved towards a child in a way that indicates they are unsuitable for such work.

3. The LADO will instruct VIVA on procedure and what information may be shared with the person who is the subject of an allegation. VIVA and LADO will decide, in consultation with the Police and/or any other relevant agencies, what may be shared in situations that may possibly lead to a criminal investigation.
4. Subject to advice from the LADO, and to any consequent restrictions on the information that can be shared, VIVA will, as soon as possible, inform the accused person about the nature of the allegation, how enquiries will be conducted and the possible outcome.

In all instances VIVA will seek to ensure that any staff member is treated fairly and honestly and that they are supported to understand the concerns expressed and processes involved. They will be kept informed of the progress and outcome of any investigation and the implications for any disciplinary or related process.

Procedures we follow
Contact the Safeguarding Lead Trust
Contact  http://www.safeguardingcambspeterborough.org.uk

Relevant Document
Revised Prevent Duty Guidance: for England and Wales .