Drama Llama Club - Policies

The purpose and scope of this policy statement:

Drama Llama Club works with children and families as part of its activities, including the running of drama groups for children.

The purpose of this policy statement is:

• to protect children and young people who receive Drama Llama Club’s services. This includes the children of the tutors who run our services.

• to provide parents, staff and volunteers with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection.

This policy statement applies to anyone working on behalf of Drama Llama Club, including senior managers, paid staff, volunteers, sessional workers and students.

Legal framework

This policy has been drawn up on the basis of legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children in England. A summary of the key legislation and guidance is available from nspcc.org.uk/childprotection.

We believe that:

• children and young people should never experience abuse of any kind

• we have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people, to keep them safe and to practise in a way that protects them.

We recognise that:

• the welfare of the child is paramount

• all children, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation have a right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse

• some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues

• working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare.

We will seek to keep children and young people safe by:

• valuing, listening to and respecting them

• appointing a nominated child protection/safeguarding lead and a deputy child protection/safeguarding lead for safeguarding

• developing child protection and safeguarding policies and procedures which reflect best practice

• using our safeguarding procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know, and involving children, young people, parents, families and carers appropriately

• creating and maintaining an anti-bullying environment and ensuring that we have a policy and procedure to help us deal effectively with any bullying that does arise

• developing and implementing an effective online safety policy and related procedures

• sharing information about child protection and safeguarding best practice with children, their families, staff and volunteers via leaflets, posters, group work and one-to-one discussions

• recruiting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made

• providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support, training and quality assurance measures

• implementing a code of conduct for staff and volunteers

• using our procedures to manage any allegations against staff and volunteers appropriately

• ensuring that we have effective complaints and whistleblowing measures in place

• ensuring that we provide a safe physical environment for our children, young people, staff and volunteers, by applying health and safety measures in accordance with the law and regulatory guidance

• recording and storing information professionally and securely.

DBS Checks and Safeguarding Training

• All tutors involved in Drama Llama Club have full, clear DBS checks.

• All tutors involved in Drama Llama Club have undergone Safeguarding training and have certification for this.

Related procedures

This policy statement should be read alongside our organisational policies and procedures, including:

Procedures for responding to concerns about a child or young person’s wellbeing

If a child is demonstrating any signs of abuse (neglect, emotional, physical, sexual), speak to the designated safeguarding officer. The next steps are outlined in the DSL’s role and responsibilities.

Role and Responsibilities of the designated safeguarding officer:

The designated safeguarding lead (DSL) is the person appointed to take lead responsibility for child protection issues in Drama Llama Club. We also have a Deputy to cover the role of the designated safeguarding lead when they are unavailable, however, the lead responsibility for safeguarding and child protection remains with the DSL.

The DSL or a deputy should always be available during club hours for any safeguarding concerns. The designated safeguarding lead, and deputy, has undergone training to enable them to carry out their role. This will updated every two years as a minimum.

The responsibilities of the designated safeguarding lead include:

Work with others

• ensure safeguarding is at the heart of the school ethos and that all staff are supported in knowing how to recognise and respond to potential concerns

• liaise with staff on matters of safety and safeguarding and when deciding whether to make a referral by liaising with relevant agencies

• act as a source of support, advice and expertise for staff.

Manage referrals

• refer cases of suspected abuse to Children’s Social Care, and support staff who have raised concerns about a child or have made a referral to Children’s Social Care

• where there are concerns about radicalisation, to make referrals to the Channel programme and offer support to other staff who have concerns about radicalisation (England and Wales only)

• refer cases to the police where a crime has been or may have been committed.

Undertake training and develop knowledge

In addition to formal training, the DSL will keep knowledge and skills up to date via online training, and e-bulletins. These opportunities should be taken up at least once a year but more regularly if possible so that the DSL:

• understands the referral and assessment process for early help and intervention

• knows about child protection case conferences and reviews and can contribute to these effectively when required

• is aware of the needs of any vulnerable children ie; those with special educational needs,

• keeps detailed, accurate and secure records of concerns and referrals

• understands the role of Drama Llama Club in terms of the Prevent duty where required

• attends refresher and other relevant training

• encourages a culture of listening to children and taking account of their wishes and feelings in terms of what Drama Llama Club can do to protect them.
  
  

Raise awareness

• ensure Drama Llama Club’s child protection policy is updated and renewed annually and that all members of staff have access to it and understand it

• provide regular briefings to keep staff p to date on latest policy developments and reminded of their responsibilities

• ensure the child protection policy is available publicly and that parents are aware of the policy and that Drama Llama Club may make referrals to children’s social care if there are concerns about abuse or neglect

• link with the LSCB (England and Wales), SBNI (Northern Ireland), child protection committees (Scotland) to keep up to date with training opportunities and the latest local policies.
  
  

Record keeping

It is also the designated safeguarding lead’s responsibility to keep detailed, accurate and secure written records of safeguarding concerns. These records are confidential and should include a chronology of concerns, referrals, meetings, phone calls and emails.

Training of other staff

The designated safeguarding lead must ensure all staff:

• have induction training covering child protection, an understanding of safeguarding issues including the causes of abuse and neglect.

• are able to identify the signs and indicators of abuse, respond to disclosures appropriately and respond effectively and in a timely fashion when they have concerns.

Contact details

Nominated child protection lead

Name: Beverley Beer

Beverley.beer@blueyonder.co.uk

07719 491800

Deputy child protection lead Name(s):

Kiley Adams

kileyadams876@yahoo.com

07773 006575

NSPCC Helpline 0808 800 5000

We are committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually.

This policy was last reviewed on: 25thApril 2019

Code of conduct for staff and volunteers:

All Drama Llama Club Tutors, assistant tutors and visiting trainers will:

- Have a current DBS check (prev known as a Police check) to ensure their suitability to work with children.

- Have up to date safeguarding training.

- Have a knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

- Be fully conversant with the rights of the chlld and Drama Llama Club’s own ‘students rights’ creed (see ‘Code of Conduct for Drama Llama Club Students).

- Treat all children and young people with respect and dignity.

- Always work in an open environment, avoiding private and unobserved situations.

- Always have emergency contact details to had for each students identified parents/guardians (and other ICE contacts also).

- Be First Aid trained, use First Aid equipment and reporting forms. Calling for emergency medical support when appropriate.

- Be trained in, and carry out, sessional risk assessments for the safety of children, young people and tutors.

Code of Conduct for Drama Llama Club students

It is expected that all Drama Llama Club students will:

- Be supportive and encouraging of each other.

- Be respectful of each other and each other’s ideas and of the tutors.

- Be friendly and particularly welcoming to new members.

- Not get involved in inappropriate peer pressure and push others into something they do not want to do.

- Listen to the tutors and their guidance

- All members must respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of age, gender, ability, race, cultural background or religious beliefs or sexual identity.

- Behave in a way as to keep themselves, and others, safe.

- Challenge or report the bullying of your peers.

- Make your club a fun place to be.

Any disruptive or general misbehaviour will be addressed by the tutor at the time who will endeavour to work positively to resolve this to the benefit and happiness of all. Persistent misbehaviour will result in dismissal from the club. Parents will be informed at all stages.

Drama Llama Club students have the right to:

- Be safe and happy in the Drama Llama Club.

- Be listened to.

- Be respected and treated fairly.

- Enjoy Drama Llama club in a safe and protective environment.

- Be referred to professional help if needed.

- Be protected from abuse.

- Participate on an equal basis, appropriate to their ability.

- Be believed.

- Ask for help.

It is essential the Drama Llama Club students feel it is a safe environment for them. If any students at the club fail to respect any of the Drama Llama Code of Conduct principles (as outlined above), the Supervisor for the club night will speak to the collector of the child. If the collector is not the parent or guardian, they will be contacted by telephone or email after club has finished. If the Supervisor has cause to speak to the collector/parent or guardian on more than three occasions about separate incidences contravening the Code of Conduct principles, then the club owner will discuss with you what the best next steps to ensure the safety and happiness of all club attendees going forwards.

Photography and image sharing guidance:

In order to enable Drama Llama Club to advertise on printed materials (flyers, posters etc) or in social media (via Facebook or Twitter), photographic permissions will be sought on the booking form. If you wish to change this information at any time, please contact llama@dramallamaclub.comto have your child added or removed from the photography permissions list.