Implemented from March 2005.

The safety of children and vulnerable adults is paramount and all, without exception, have the right to protection from abuse. All suspicions and allegations will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately and all the charity’s trustees, staff and volunteers have a responsibility to report concerns.

The definition and use of the word “parent/s” throughout this Policy includes Guardians, Carers and/or Teachers of children under 18 years and vulnerable adults.

PURPOSE OF FESTIVAL

The purpose of the Festival is to advance the education of the public in the arts of Music, Speech and Drama by providing a platform for the performance of such by amateurs of all ages in a friendly competitive atmosphere and an adjudication of their performances through the employment of professional adjudicators.

ENVIRONMENT

The Festival endeavours to create a friendly and caring environment, non-threatening to children and vulnerable adults with the highest possible level of protection for children and others to whom this policy applies. The Festival’s procedure implementing this Policy will inform and involve parents, teachers etc in partnership with our committee and helpers in order to ensure, as far as it is reasonably practicable, a safe environment at the Festival.

TO WHOM DOES THIS POLICY APPLY

This policy relates to children under the age of 18 years and those vulnerable adults of any age who are identified to the organisers prior to their arrival at the Festival. This should be done by notification with the Entry Form. In recognising the needs of children from minority ethnic groups and children who are disabled, the Festival actively seeks to meet the needs notified to the Festival by the parents/teachers etc.

FESTIVAL PERSONNEL

All Festival personnel are volunteers and will be recognisable by the wearing of a badge identifying them as committee members and /or helpers.

There will be a duty member who has been processed and cleared by the Criminals Record Bureau available at all times and our committee members will be able to direct any problem direct to this member at any time.

All Festival personnel are fully aware of and support this Child Protection Policy and are informed how to direct children and vulnerable adults with a problem to the designated person.

Any problem will be taken seriously and will be documented and dated and, dependant on the nature of the problem may be passed to an appropriate authority for further action. Copies of all documentation will be retained in the Festival records.

PREPARATION FOR ATTENDANCE AT THE FESTIVAL

In order for the Festival to provide the highest level of protection during the Festival parent(s) are expected to be responsible for ensuring that their child/children under 18 or vulnerable adult(s) is/are at all times accompanied and adequately supervised by responsible adults acting on their behalf whilst on the Festival premises.

A copy of this Child Protection Policy will be shown in the syllabus and displayed at the Festival. It is the responsibility of parents and teachers to ensure that the responsible adults supervising children under 18 and vulnerable adults are aware of this policy.

PERFORMANCE AND CHANGING AREAS

The performance areas will be supervised by the Festival personnel during the competitive sessions only.

All dressing, changing and practice areas will not be supervised by Festival personnel. It is the responsibility of the supervising adults/teachers to ensure that the children and vulnerable adults are at all times adequately supervised.

PHOTOGRAPHS, AUDIO & VIDEO RECORDING

The use of all recording equipment and cameras during the performance and adjudication is not allowed. Photography at the presentation of prizes and certificates will only be allowed by prior arrangement with the committee and must be agreed by all parties.

LEGISLATION & GUIDANCE THAT SUPPORTS THIS POLICY

The Children Act 1989; The Police Act 1997; The Data Protection Act 1998; The Human Rights Act 1998; The Protection of Children Act 1999; The Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000.

POLICY REVIEW