Film It Policies and Codes of Practice: Child Welfare Policy

WORKING WITH CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

The Film It! Project

Policy and Procedures for Safeguarding the Welfare of Young Children

A. Policy

Film It Child Protection Policy

The policy and procedures outlined in this document comply with guidance contained in Safe from Harm; the Code of Practice for oluntary Organisations published by the Home Office in 1993.

This policy and procedures document has been developed in order to safeguard the welfare of the children and young people with whom Film It! works, as well as to protect the Film It! staff and volunteers.

Film It! is clear that it is the duty of all those employed by Film It!, or working on behalf or in conjunction with Film It!, to protect and revent the young people with whom they come into contact from becoming the victims of abuse. Film It! recognises that abuse can be physical, sexual and emotional and will also include neglect of the young erson. This duty involves more than non-participation in abuse but includes a duty to act where abuse is seen to be or suspected to be taking place.

Film It! will ensure that this Policy and Procedures document is brought to an individual’s attention prior to the commencement of contact with children.

Appropriate training, advice and guidelines will be provided for staff that work with children.

Film It! will nominate at least one member of staff who will be responsible for keeping up to date with Child Protection issues. (Sue Dawson)

All volunteers/staff members will receive information on:

  • local procedures;
  • how to deal with disclosure of information by the young people they work with;
  • the various definitions of abuse;
  • appropriate ways of working with young people.

Procedures are produced on the following issues:
1.Recruitment and support of staff and volunteers;
2.Guidance on working with young people for staff and volunteers;
3.Abuse – suspicions and allegations;

Film It! recognises that many current and potential abusers do not possess criminal records and that the best way to prevent the abuse of children is through good management practice and the continuous provision of support, guidance and supervision of staff and volunteers.

Film It! is committed to developing best practice in this area and will review this Code annually as part of this process.

B. Procedures

1. Recruitment and support of staff and volunteers

1.1 Recruitment of staff

When recruiting staff who, through their work, will regularly be in contact with children or young people, the following procedures will be adhered to:

  • All candidates will be interviewed. This will provide an opportunity to explore an applicant’s experience of working or contact with children as a means of preventing abuse.

  • Positions involving work with children are exempt from the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. All convictions, however old must be declared by an applicant. Information about an applicant’s offending history is only required to prevent the abuse of children. It is not to be used for any other purpose and will be treated in the strictest confidence. A police check or submission of their record will be required

  • Appointments are conditional upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

Film It

1.2 Recruitment and screening of volunteers

  • Volunteers will be police checked or required to supply their police record
  • Volunteers will be asked to provide two pieces of identification, preferably one that has a photo on it, eg, passport.
  • Volunteers will be interviewed.

1.3 Volunteer Management

  • Volunteers will be given information on child protection. This will include local protocol, definitions of abuse and guidance on appropriate ways of working with young people.
  • Volunteers will be supervised regularly.
  • Volunteers will receive guidance on Health and Safety, Confidentiality, Boundaries and the Disciplinary and Grievance guidelines.

2. Guidance for Working with Young People for staff and volunteers

This document is designed to provide staff and volunteers with guidelines as to how best to conduct relationships with the young people they will be working with in order to safeguard their welfare and protect staff and volunteers from allegations of inappropriate behaviour. These are general principles to be followed at all times when working with young people.

  • Young people should never visit the home of Film It! staff or volunteers
  • Meetings with young people will, as far as possible, be held in an appropriate public place. If it is not practical to do so meetings will take place at a location where other adults are at hand.
  • When arranging meetings consideration should be given to the safety of the journey to the meeting point.
  • If in doubt consult with the nominated Child-protection staff member (Sue Dawson)

3. Abuse - Suspicions and allegations

3.1 The role of the Child-protection staff member

  • The role of the Child-protection staff member is to make a decision about the action to be taken when a volunteer or staff member reports suspicions/ allegations or a disclosure.
  • The Child-protection staff member should make the report as soon as is practically possible to the Social Services Child Protection Team / Emergency Duty Team or Police.
  • The Child-protection staff member will be responsible for liaising with Social Services, attending any case conferences or child protection strategy meetings that emerge as a result from the referral.
  • Where appropriate the Child-protection staff member will respond to requests for assistance from the Investigating Officers.
  • The Child-protection staff member will keep the volunteer/staff member informed throughout the process and provide support to the volunteer/staff member.
  • The Child-protection staff member will inform the nominated officer (Sean Hagerty) at Film It! immediately.

3.2 The role of the Nominated Officer

  • The nominated officer who will deal with any allegations against a project co-ordinator. Their number will be provided by the co-ordinator.
  • They will be a source of advice and support for the Child-protection staff member.
  • They will provide back up in case of an emergency in the Child-protection staff member’s absence.

3.3 The role of the volunteer in the case of suspicion of abuse

  • Contact the Child-protection staff member and discuss the issue further.
  • If you do not feel able to talk to the Child-protection staff member contact the nominated officer.
  • The Child-protection staff member will agree with you an action plan.
  • Remember it is your duty to report suspicion as well as certainty.
  • Keep detailed notes on your suspicions and any details that you feel are relevant, sign and date them.
  • If a young person is in immediate danger and you cannot contact the Child-protection staff member then contact Social Services/ Child Protection team. If it is after office hours contact the emergency duty team or the police who will advise you further.
  • Report that you have taken this action immediately to the Child-protection staff member / nominated officer.
  • Consider whether you need to explain to the young person what action you have taken. This will be discussed with the Child-protection staff member.
  • Remember your role is to report not to investigate.

3.4 In the case of a disclosure

  • Always take them seriously; remember you may be the first person that they have confided in.
  • Try not to look shocked or disgusted if a young person reports something to you that you feel uncomfortable with.
  • Do reassure the young person that disclosure was the right thing to do.
  • Explain to the young person that you will need to share this information with the Child-protection staff member who may need to take further action. Explain what the process will be and reassure them that you will keep them informed.
  • Do not agree to keep secrets. They will not want the abuse to continue and have chosen to tell you so that you can help them.
  • Do be comforting and sympathetic and tell them they are not responsible for what is happening to them.
  • Contact the Child-protection staff member immediately.
  • Do not contact Social Services yourself unless the young person is at immediate risk and the Child-protection staff member cannot be contacted.
  • Do not make them tell anyone else, as they may have to make a formal statement later.
  • Write down all of the details on an incident form and make sure they are signed and dated.

3.5 In the case of an allegation of abuse made against the Child-protection staff member or a volunteer

  • In the incidence of an allegation being made against a volunteer the following steps will be taken.
  • The volunteer will be suspended pending an investigation.
  • In the incidence of an allegation against the Child-protection staff member, the nominated officer should be contacted immediately.
  • Any other allegations will be dealt with as outlined in the suspicion/ certainty/ disclosure section.