Archives

NUGENT EDUCATION LIMITED

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

Nugent Education Ltd fully recognises its responsibilities for child protection. Our policy applies to all staff, freelancers and volunteers working with Nugent Education and includes all creative arts workshops and activities that we deliver. Our policy is broken up into four areas.

1.        We will uphold our responsibilities to children that partake in the activities lead by our staff, freelance arts practitioners and volunteers by:

• Ensuring we practice safe recruitment in checking the suitability of staff, freelance practitioners and volunteers to work with children, through interview process and CRB enhanced disclosures.
• Developing and then implementing procedures for identifying and reporting cases, or suspected cases, of abuse.

• Establishing a safe environment in which children can learn, have fun and develop.

2. We recognise that the outward signs of abuse may become apparent to our staff and practitioners due to the creative and at times introspective nature of creative arts workshops. We also recognise the competitive element that can occur during children’s educational activities. The company will therefore:

• Establish and maintain environments where children feel secure, are encouraged to talk, and are listened to.

• Ensure children know that there are adults whom they can approach if they are worried.

• Ensure that children know that they can speak to Nugent Education staff in confidence, and that we will assist where possible.

3. We will follow the procedures set out by the Local Safeguarding Children Board and take account of guidance issued by the Department for Education and Skills to:

•  Ensure we have a designated senior person for child protection   who has received appropriate training and support for this role.

• Ensure every member of staff, freelance practitioner and volunteer knows the name of the designated senior person responsible for child protection and their role.

• Ensure all staff, freelance practitioners and volunteers understand their responsibilities in being alert to the signs of abuse and responsibility for referring any concerns to the designated senior person responsible for child protection.

• Notify social services if a child has told one of our staff, or if there is any other reason for believing that a child may be the victim of abuse.

• Where required, develop effective links with relevant agencies and cooperate as required with their enquiries regarding child protection matters.

• Keep written records of concerns about children, even where there is no need to refer the matter immediately, and liaise with agencies that hire our services where concerns have been raised.

• Ensure all records are kept securely separate from the other information and files.

• Develop and then follow procedures where an allegation is made against a member of staff, freelance practitioner or volunteer.

• Ensure safe recruitment practices are always followed.

4. We recognise that children who are abused or witness violence may find it difficult to develop a sense of self worth. They may feel helplessness, humiliation and some sense of blame. During our workshops their behaviour may be challenging and defiant or they may be withdrawn. The company will endeavour to support the pupil through:

•  The company’s ethos which promotes positive, supportive and secure environments and gives children a sense of self esteem and value.

•  The company’s workshop ground rules, which are aimed at supporting vulnerable pupils in the school.  The company will ensure that the children know that some behaviour is unacceptable, but all children are valued equally

•  Liaison with the agencies that buy in our services to work with children in their care i.e. schools, youth centres and other community groups, voluntary groups and governmentally funded

DESIGNATED CHILD PROTECTION OFFICER:

Ashleigh Nugent