Security

Child Protection Policy

We recognize that:

• The welfare of the child/young person is paramount
• All children, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity, have the right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse
• Working in partnership with children, young people. Their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare.

The purpose of the policy is:

• To provide protection for the children and young people who receive Community Cinemas services, including the children of adult members or users
• To provide staff and volunteers with guidance on procedures they should adopt in the event that they suspect a child or young person may be experiencing, or be at risk of, harm

This policy applies to all staff, including senior managers and the board of trustees, paid staff, volunteers and sessional workers, agency staff, students or anyone working on behalf of Community Cinemas.

We will seek to safeguard children and young people by:

• Valuing them, listening to and respecting them
• Adopting child protection guidelines through procedures and a code of conduct for staff and volunteers
• Recruiting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made
• Sharing information about child protection and good practice with children, parents, staff and volunteers
• Sharing information about concerns with agencies who need to know, and involving parents ad children appropriately
• Providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support and training.

WE ARE ALSO COMMITTED TO REVIEWING OUR POLICY AND GOOD PRACTICE ANNUALLY.

Code of Conduct for adults working with children and young people

Introduction

This section outlines the behaviour expected of Community Cinemas staff, volunteers, peer leaders and staff from other organizations who engage with children and young people through Community Cinemas and its activities.

Purpose

This code has been developed to provide advice which will not only help protect children, but will also help identify any practices which could be mistakenly interpreted and perhaps lead to false allegations of abuse being made against individuals.

Following the good practice code will also help to protect Community Cinemas by reducing the possibility of anyone using their role within the organization to gain access to children in order to abuse them.

When working with children and young people for Community Cinemas all staff and volunteers are considered to be acting in a position of trust. It is therefore important that staff, volunteers, peer leaders are aware that they may be seen as role models by children and must act in an appropriate manner at all times and follow the code of conduct.

All members of staff and volunteers are expected to report any breaches of this code to: Anthony Bamber

• Staff who breach this code of conduct may be subject to Community Cinemas disciplinary procedures.
• Any breach of this code involving a volunteer or member of staff from another agency may result in them being asked to leave the project. Serious breaches of this code may also result in a referral being made to s statutory agency such as the Police or Children’s Services Department.
• When working with children and young people it is important to:
• Always follow Community Cinemas child protection policy
• Listen to and respect children at all times
• Always avoid favouritism
• Ensure that, whenever possible, there is more than one adult present during activities with children and young people or at least that you are in sight or hearing of others.
• Treat children and young people fairly and without prejudice
• Value and take children’s contributions seriously
• Always ensure equipment is used appropriately and for the purpose it was designed for
• Ensure any contact with children and young people is appropriate and in relation to the work of the project
• Always ensure language is appropriate and not offensive or discriminatory
• Provide examples of good conduct you wish others to follow
• Challenge unacceptable behaviour and report all allegations/suspicions of abuse.

You MUST NOT

• Patronise or treat children and young people as if they are silly
• Allow allegations to go unreported
• Develop inappropriate relationships such as contact with children and young people that is not a part of the work of the project and agreed with the manager or leader.
• Sexual relationships between any adult member of staff or volunteer and a child or young person using the project services represent a serious breach of trust and are not permissible in any circumstances
• Let children or young people have any of your personal contact details
• Use sarcasm or insensitive comments to children and young people
• Act in a way that can be perceived as threatening or intrusive
• Make inappropriate promises to children and young people, particularly in relation to confidentiality

The role of parents and carers

The Community Cinemas project welcomes and encourages parental involvement. Parents and carers are regarded as valuable partners in promoting positive behaviour and will be involved as appropriate. In the event of their child becoming the subject of behaviour sanctions parents and carers will be informed and involved.

NOTE: All Community Cinemas staff, volunteers and part time helpers are issued a copy of this document and the child protection policy and adhere to all its contents at all times. IF ANY OF THEM ARE IN DOUBT THEY MUST REPORT TO Anthony Bamber immediately.