Safeguarding Policy

Policy Statement 

It is the policy of Make Play Connect Limited that the welfare of the child, young person and vulnerable adult is paramount regardless of age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious beliefs, class or sexual identity.

Principles 

Make Play Connect will prioritize the welfare of all children who use the venue, by ensuring that all employees and volunteers are clear of their responsibilities in respect of child protection.

Make Play Connect staff and volunteers have a responsibility to report any concerns of child abuse to a senior staff member without delay.

Management of Staff and Volunteers

It is very important that each member of staff and each volunteer is aware of the Child Protection Policy and trained accordingly.

• All volunteers or staff are provided with a copy of the Child Protection Policy.
• Any staff or volunteers likely to be involved in workshops/courses/events with children or vulnerable adults  are also DBS checked.
• Any staff or volunteers with questions or concerns regarding the Children Protection Policy are encouraged to contact the Managing Director- Gillian Francis.
• The Child Protection Policy will be reviewed annually to ensure it is kept up to date with any new changes or policies added. 

Responsibilities within the Child Protection Policy

• All employees and volunteers are responsible for the operation of the Child Protection Policy and that they should act upon any concern no matter how small or trivial it may seem.
• All employees and volunteers recognize the position of trust in which they have been placed.
• In every respect, employees and volunteers ensure that the relationships they form with young people are appropriate.
   

All staff and volunteers working independently with young or vulnerable people have a Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and uphold the Code of Good Practice. 

In cases where there is an allegation or suspicion of child abuse, the senior member of staff will take steps immediately to ensure that no child or adult is placed in a position which could cause further compromise.
 

Code of Behavior 

The Code of Behaviour outlined here is a general outline for all staff and volunteers.

• All staff and volunteers should be committed to having a friendly, professional, and approachable attitude.
• All visitors should be treated with respect and dignity; listened to and responded to appropriately.
• All staff and volunteers must endeavour to set an example to children and young people under their duty of care.
• All staff and volunteers must avoid physical contact with children and young people under their duty of care unless absolutely necessary.
• All staff and volunteers should avoid being alone with individual children and young people. All staff and volunteers should be aware that, however well-intentioned, actions may be misinterpreted.  

Unless approval has been granted no photography is allowed during children’s theatre, workshops, or music performances.

Signs to this effect are clearly visible to communicate this.

Where permission has been granted, any images containing children must be signed in writing by each child’s parent or guardian. 

Sharing Information About Child Protection 

• A copy of the Child Protection policy is publicly available from Make Play Connect Limited.
• Should a parent or guardian have any questions or concerns regarding the Child Protection Policy we encourage them to contact Gillian Francis- Managing Director.