POLICY ON CHILD PROTECTION AND THE PROTECTION OF VULNERABLE ADULTS

REVIEWED 2019

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STATEMENT

Dynamix Performing Arts School is committed to fulfilling its duty of care to children, young people and

vulnerable adults with whom it comes into contact with. This will be achieved by promoting, creating and

maintaining a culture and environment that safeguards the safety and welfare of children, young people

and vulnerable adults.

The Group recognises its duty comply with legislative requirements to work with the appropriate agencies

in protecting children and vulnerable adults and to ensure that any suspicions or allegations of abuse will

be taken seriously and responded to in a swift, appropriate and confidential manner.

Any member of the Group who has concerns about the welfare of a young volunteer or vulnerable adult,

and which may indicate physical, emotional and sexual abuse or neglect, is required to report such

concerns to the named person responsible for protection issues.

The policy recognises that the welfare and interests of children are paramount in all circumstances. It

aims to ensure that regardless of age, ability, disability, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic

background, all children have a positive and enjoyable experience of performing at Dynamix in

a safe and child centred environment and are protected from abuse whilst participating in both classes

and performance or outside of the activity.

Those members of the Group who come into contact with children, young people and vulnerable adults,

whether as volunteers with work parties or as helpers at school visits will be made aware of the Dynamix

protection Procedures and Code of Conduct. Those who come into regular contact with children, young

people and vulnerable adults will also be checked through the Disclosure and Barring Service procedure

and, where appropriate, registered with the Independent Safeguarding Authority.

Procedures and Code of Conduct for members of Dynamix who come into contact with children and

vulnerable adults

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TYPES OF ABUSE

1. Physical

Where a person receives physical hurt or injury that is not accidental

2. Sexual

Where a person is the basis of sexual gratification from people exploiting the vulnerability of children or

vulnerable adults

3. Emotional / Psychological

Where a person is adversely affected by persistent or severe rejection or lack of affection, or persistent

taunts or threats

4. Neglect

Where a serious impairment to personal health or development is caused by lack of care and attention

and exposure to any kind of danger

5. Financial Abuse

This includes theft, fraud, pressure around wills, property or inheritance, misuse or misappropriation of

benefits.

6. Racial and Homophobic Motivated Abuse

Whilst not classified as an individual category of abuse, racially motivated abuse can take any of these

forms and this needs to be noted additionally in situations when the victim perceives abuse to have been

racist in its intent. Homophobic incidents are usually motivated by hatred or fear of homosexuality.

7. Domestic Abuse

Domestic abuse is a serious crime which must be treated as seriously as any other crime. Victims of

domestic abuse may also be vulnerable adults as defined in this policy.

 

DEFINITION OF A CHILD

A child is defined as any person aged under the age of 18.

 

DEFINITION OF A VULNERABLE ADULT

A vulnerable adult is an individual who is or may be in need of community care services by reason of

mental or other disability, age or illness and includes those who may be unable to either take care of

themselves or protect themselves against harm or exploitation.

People with learning disabilities, mental health problems, older people and disabled people may fall

within the definition of “vulnerable adult” particularly when their situation is complicated by additional

factors such as:

• Physical frailty

• Chronic illness

• Sensory impairment

• Challenging behaviour • Social problems

• Emotional problems

• Poverty

• Homelessness

• Substance abuse

 

RESPONSIBILITIES OF INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS

Members in contact with children or vulnerable adults must:

* Ensure that if a child/vulnerable adult is not accompanied by a parent, guardian, carer or teacher acting

in loco parentis, that the consent of the parent, guardian or carer has been given to any activity which is

supervised by a member of Dynamix.

!Ensure that the child or vulnerable adult in his/her care observes the safety advice set out in the Group’s

Volunteering Policy and the document Working Safely at Dynamix.

* Ensure that whenever possible there is more than one adult present during activities with children/

vulnerable adults, or if they are alone with a child/vulnerable adult, work in the open or near paths that

are within sight or hearing of others

* Avoid giving a child/vulnerable adult a lift in their car and avoid taking a child/vulnerable adult to their

(the member’s) home. If such a situation is unavoidable and is carried out with the safety of the child/

vulnerable adult in mind, every effort should be made to get parental/guardian/carer permission first. If

this is not possible members should let them know as soon as possible

* Ensure all children and vulnerable adults are treated with respect and are encouraged to speak up if

they have any concerns

* Any verbal conversations relating to child protection should be written down and recorded as soon as

possible and passed to the named person

* Be aware that physical contact with a child or vulnerable adult may be misinterpreted. For this reason

members must not engage in rough physical games, horseplay, or touch a child/vulnerable adult in an

intrusive or sexual manner

* Not make sexually suggestive remarks to a child or vulnerable adult, even as a joke

* Be prepared to challenge unacceptable behaviour and ensure that any suspicions or allegations of

abuse are recorded and reported to the named person responsible for dealing with protection issues

* Declare that there is no reason why they should not work with children and vulnerable adults.

* Declare any past criminal convictions or pending cases and any complaints of abuse made against

them.

* Have a criminal records check if they regularly come into connection with children in the course of their

volunteering activities for the group.

* Members of the group will be informed of any allegations made to the protection officer and the action

taken.

 

ROLE OF THE NAMED PERSON

Current Safeguarding Officer: Laura Gilbert

Contact: 07790 586064 / laura@dynamixperformingarts.co.uk

* To receive information from volunteers, children, young people, vulnerable adults, parents or carers who

have protection concerns and record it.

* Assess information promptly and carefully, clarifying or obtaining more information about the matter as

appropriate.

Consult with a statutory or child protection agency (Ceredigion County Council Community Services

Department, children’s services, or the NSPCC help line), to test out any doubts or uncertainty about the

concerns.

* Make a formal referral to a statutory Protection agency or the Police.

* Make a formal referral to the Independent Safeguarding Authority where people have been dismissed

on the basis of abuse and might be considered inappropriate to work in the future with children or

vulnerable adults.

* The named person will inform members of the group of any allegations made and the action taken.

It is NOT the role of the named person to decide whether a child has been abused or not.

Policy Review

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Dynamix will review its policy annually and update and amend as necessary. Next policy review is

September 2023.