CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

Guiding Principles:

The welfare of the child is paramount.

All children, without exception, have the right to protection from abuse.

Policy: All organisations using the hall that normally & routinely provide activities /services for children will need to have a child protection policy.

Procedure: The hiring agreement will require all such organisations to demonstrate and sign they have an approved child protection policy in place. In the signing of the hiring agreement it is confirmed that the hirer where they are an organisation, has an approved child protection policy in place, a copy of which could be supplied upon request.

Policy: NO member of the management committee, caretaker or any other employee will have unsupervised access to children unless appropriately vetted.

Procedure: All members of the management committee and any employees will be made aware of this policy and the relevant vetting procedures. Should checks become necessary, they will be undertaken in compliance to The Protection of Children Act 1999, The Children Act 1989 and part V of the Police Act 1997.

Policy: All suspicious or allegations of abuse against a child will be taken seriously and dealt with speedily and appropriately.

Procedure: A management committee member will be appointed to be responsible for Child Protection matters. This person will have responsibility for reporting concerns that arise, as a matter of urgency, to the local authority Child Protection lead agency.

Policy: All management committee members will be required to become aware of Child Protection issues.

Procedure: Copies of the relevant Acts and DOH guidelines will be held by the management committee as a reference material for committee members. Relevant Child Protection training for management committee members will be encouraged.

Policy: The policies and procedures outlined above will be regularly reviewed.

Procedure: An annual review will take place following the Annual General Meeting to allow for any required up-date of policies and/or procedures. New management committee members will be provided with an understanding of their responsibilities in matters of Child Protection.

Policy: Members of the public who use the hall should be aware of the Child Protection policies and procedures adopted by Old Village Hall Charity Trustees.

Procedure: A copy of this document will be displayed in the entrance hall, together with other Policy documents and certificates.

Reviewed by Charlton Down Village Hall Trustees

03/12/2012