CHILD PROTECTION POLICY
Earls Court Community Trust (herein referred to as ‘ECCT’) has a duty of care to safeguard from harm all children and young people with whom it interacts. This policy acknowledges the ECCT Board of trustees’ responsibilities relating to the Children Act (1989 and 2004), the Care Act, Mental Capacity Act, ‘Working Together to Safeguarding Children’ (DfE 2020), the published procedures of the ‘ECCT Safeguarding Children’s and Adults Partnership’ and the ‘Charity Commission’s registration standards.’
It is the policy of ECCT that the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk is paramount regardless of age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious beliefs and/or sexual identity and that everyone who may use or visit our events, has a right to protection from physical, sexual, emotional abuse and neglect. Children are defined as under the age of 18.The terms “young person”, “young people”, “young woman” and “young man” are used to refer to anyone between the ages of 18 and 25 years.
We also acknowledge our responsibilities in respect of adult participants, volunteers or visitors who might be deemed to be ‘at risk’ because they are ‘vulnerable’. (A Vulnerable Adult is defined in accordance with The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) (Amendment) Order 2002 as a person aged 18 or over who has a condition of the following type:
a substantial learning or physical disability;
a physical or mental illness or mental disorder, chronic or otherwise, including an addiction to alcohol or drugs; or
a significant reduction in physical or mental capacity.
ECCT is fully committed to safeguarding the welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk. It recognises its responsibility to take all reasonable steps to promote best practice and to protect children, young people and adults at risk from harm, abuse and exploitation.
ECCT acknowledges its duty to act appropriately to any allegations, reports or suspicions of abuse. Its volunteers will endeavour to work together to encourage the development of an ethos that embraces difference and diversity and respects the rights of all children, young people and adults.
the management board of ECCT will therefore:
Ensure that volunteers working on any ECCT projects and events understand their legal and moral obligations to protect children and young people and adults at risk from harm, abuse and exploitation
Develop best practice in relation to the recruitment of such volunteers. ECCT is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for children, volunteer staff and visitors and promoting a climate where children and adults will feel confident about sharing any concerns which they may have about their own safety or the well-being of others.
Ensure that volunteers understand their responsibility to work to the standards detailed in the ECCT Safeguarding Procedures.
Ensure that volunteers understand their obligations to report care or protection concerns about a child, young person or adult at risk, including a volunteers’ conduct towards a child, young person or adult at risk, to the theatre’s designated person for safeguarding.
Ensure that all procedures relating to the conduct of volunteers are implemented in a consistent and equitable manner and referenced to our code of conduct for staff, participants and volunteers.
Ensure that the designated safeguarding person understands his/her/their responsibility to refer any safeguarding concerns to the statutory safeguarding agencies (i.e. police and/or children’s social care)
Provide opportunities for volunteers to develop their skills and knowledge particularly in relation to the care and protection of children, young people and adults at risk.
Ensure that children, young people and adults at risk are enabled to express their ideas and views on a wide range of issues in connection with the theatre’s services.
Facilitate involvement of parents or carers in the projects or events and make safeguarding procedures available to them.
Ensure that written permission is received from parents/carers for their children to engage in theatre or community events, n activities and that specific information is provided in relation to the specific needs of children (eg medical need, allergies, special educational needs)
Endeavour to keep up-to-date with national developments relating to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults at risk.
Take seriously any allegation or suspicion of abuse towards a child with whom ECCT is in contact and recognise that any child can be subject to abuse and that any matter arising from this will be dealt with appropriately following a clear set of procedures.
Ensure that volunteers who are in positions of trust in respect of children and young people, are aware of the law relating to sexual activity with under 18’s.
We will not tolerate bullying. Incidents of bullying will be investigated and treated seriously. Action will be taken to stop the bullying.
All accidents and injuries are to be recorded in the ECCT’s s accident books. The books are kept in the office.
vulnerable children
Particular vigilance will be exercised in respect of children and young people who could be vulnerable by virtue of disability, special educational needs, homelessness, refugee/asylum seeker status, the effects of substance abuse within the family, those who are young carers and those who are ‘looked after’ or ‘in the care’ of a Local Authority. In addition, we acknowledge that children who are affected by abuse or neglect may demonstrate their needs and distress through their words, actions, behaviour, demeanour or other children. We will work hard to promote a strong positive ethos through our theatre activities and will have high expectations of the behaviour expected of all participants.
responsibilities within this policy
All volunteers are responsible for the operation of the Safeguarding Policy and they should act upon any concern no matter how small or trivial it may seem.
All staff and volunteers recognise the position of trust in which they have been placed.
In every respect, employees and volunteers ensure that the relationships they form with children and young people are appropriate, professional and in accordance with our code of conduct.
The Management Board of ECCT ensures that volunteers working directly with children and young people have a current Disclosure and Barring Service certificate at the appropriate level.
volunteers, staff or freelancers requiring DBS disclosures are:
Trustees or members of the ECCT Management Board
Backstage Volunteers, Chaperones on specific productions in which children perform
Directors, Producers or Production staff of productions in which children are involved (under 18)
The Designated and Deputy Designated persons
In cases where there is an allegation or suspicion of child abuse, the Designated Person(s) will take steps immediately to ensure that no child or adult is placed in a position which could further compromise the safety of the child or adult concerned.
Any allegation or suspicion of child abuse is reported to the appropriate authorities. The first port of call for advice and /or a referral to contact
Children’s Services on 020 7361 3013 (RBKC) or 020 7641 4000 (Westminster) 9am to 5pm on weekdays.
Outside of these times, contact the Emergency Duty Team on 020 7373 3227 (RBKC) or 020 7641 6000 (Westminster).
Where the Designated Safeguarding Lead is the subject of the complaint or allegation, either of the Deputy Safeguarding Lead will contact the local authority. Both the Designated Safeguarding Lead and the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads are members of the ECCT Management Board.
Where urgent issues of child protection are involved, the Management Board has the authority to suspend volunteers from working on any community, film or theatre projects
ECCT will work with the appropriate local agencies, in particular RBKC Children’s Services and the local Police, to ensure that children are safeguarded through the effective operation of ECCT safeguarding procedures.
ECCT is committed to reviewing our policy and good practice at regular intervals.
required actions
All volunteers working at ECCT are required to report instances of actual or suspected child abuse to the Designated Person(s) with responsibility for safeguarding.
The Chair of ECCT of ECCT is: Toby Brown
The Designated Safeguarding Lead is: Emily South
The Deputy Designated Safeguarding is Officer: Mariela Manso
The Deputy Designated Safeguarding Officer is: Inge Marks
When an individual concern/incident is brought to the notice of the Designated Person(s), they will seek advice from RBKC Council in relation to safeguarding issues.
All parents/ carers of children involved in theatre activities or community events will be informed of our safeguarding responsibilities and the existence of this policy. In situations where children or young people sustain injury or are otherwise affected by an accident or incident whilst they are the responsibility of the theatre, parents will be notified of this as soon as possible.
the role of the management board
The Management Board has formally adopted this policy and will review its content annually or sooner if there are any legislative changes or new good practice guidance.
The Management Board will receive an annual report from the designated person(s) to monitor both the volume and progress of cases where a concern has been raised to ensure that the theatre is meeting its duties in respect of safeguarding.
Most recent review: May 2023 by Toby Brown, Emily South, Inge Marks and Mariela Manso
To be reviewed by Toby Brown, Emily South, Inge Marks and Mariela Manso in May 2024