Child Protection Policy

Staffordshire Knights Drum & Bugle Corps

Newcastle-under-Lyme, England

Established 1992 - Registered Charity No 1042790

Member of Drum Corps United Kingdom &

the British Youth Band Association

CHILD PROTECTION MISSION STATEMENT

The Staffordshire Knights Drum & Bugle Corps Is committed to creating and maintaining the safest possible environment for children and young people.

We do this by:

Recognising that any child / young person under the age of 18 years is entitled to the protection afforded by the contents of this document.   Acknowledging that the welfare of the child / young person is paramount.   Recognizing that all children / young people, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, racial origin, sexual orientation, language, or religious belief, have the right to protection from physical, mental, sexual or emotional abuse.   Ensuring that our volunteers and staff are carefully selected and that they accept responsibility for helping to prevent the abuse of children / young people in their care.   Responding swiftly and appropriately to all suspicions or allegations of abuse, and providing parents and children / young people with the opportunity to voice any concerns they may have. Any suspicions or allegations of abuse will not be ignored.   Appointing a Child Protection Officer who will take specific responsibility for child protection matters and who will act as the main point of contact for children / young people, parents and outside agencies.   Ensuring access to confidential information is restricted to the Child Protection Officer or the appropriate external authorities.   Reviewing annually the effectiveness of our Child Protection Policy and this document.

Current Legislation

There is a considerable body of legislation designed to ensure that children and young people are protected, and it is important to understand that everyone is responsible for the safety of children and young people. The main acts include: ­

Children Act 1989

The intention of the Children Act is to protect children and ensure that their welfare and development is paramount and promoted. The Act gives local authorities responsibility for ensuring that this happens by working together with all the relevant agencies. The Act says that only the Police, Social Services, and the NSPCC have the legal right and responsibility to investigate concerns about child abuse.

The Children (Protection from Offenders) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 1997

These regulations came into force in October 1997. They are mainly concerned with preventing the approval of people as foster carers or adoptive parents where either they or any member of their household over the age of 18 is known to have been convicted of, or cautioned for, relevant offences. These regulations also apply to child minding, private fostering and residential care.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child

The United Nations Convention sets out of the rights of all children, including their right to be protected from harm.

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974

This Act allows people not to declare convictions to employers. People who are involved in situations where they have sustained or prolonged access to children are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders legislation. This means that prospective employers, self-employed workers and volunteers must declare all criminal convictions relating to children, however long ago; and that these will be taken into account when deciding on their suitability for working with children.

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

The Health and Safety at Work Act gives all organizations a legal responsibility to prevent injuries and ill health to employees and others, including members of the public. Much of this responsibility is delegated to managers who have control of work activities but the legislation also provides employees with an obligation to take reasonable care of themselves and others.

(This text is based on some guidelines which DCUK have kindly published on their website)

Page last updated on Thursday October 25, 2007