LYDC aims to employ the “safest possible practices to minimise the possibility of harm or accident to children and to protect workers from the necessity to take risks and leave themselves open to accusations of abuse or neglect.” (Department of Health and Children,2002). The following guidelines are designed to protect children and young people and vulnerable adults from harm as well as protect LYDC’s artists, staff and volunteers from unfounded allegations of abuse.
Approach to working with children, young people and vulnerable adults
LYDC expects all artists, staff and volunteers working with children, young people and vulnerable adults to work from a child-centred perspective. This means that they should be:
· Listened to and heard
· Valued and respected as individuals
· Respected for their identity
· Encouraged and praised
· Involved in decisions as appropriate
LYDC ensures that good practice is followed at all times by making primary carers, children, young people, vulnerable adults, visitors and facilitators aware of their Child Protection Policy and Procedures. As part of this LYDC seeks to:
· Provide appropriate training for staff and volunteers
· Password encrypted register of each child/young person’s details (name, address, phone, special requirement, attendance, emergency contact).
· All members of LYDC observe appropriate dress and behaviour when working with children/young people/vulnerable adults.
· Update and review policies and procedures yearly.
· Inform parents, via e-mail, of any external organisation of the staff or artists working with/for LYDC.
· Ensure proper supervision based on adequate ratios according to age, abilities and activities involved.
· Report and record any incidents and accidents.
· Have emergency procedures in place and make all staff aware of these procedures.
As part of managing the health and safety of all aspects of our work, we aim to control the risks in the places where work takes place.
A thorough assessment to identify risks will be carried out prior to every rehearsal, performance and/or workshop that involve children, young people and vulnerable adults using the performance area, workshop rooms and back stage areas for said activities are safe and comfortable by Health and Safety Officer (or in his/her absence the Director). The following things will be checked prior to a group of children, young people or vulnerable adults use of space:
· Is the room temperature suitable?
· Is the room light enough?
· Are the exits clearly identified and free from obstruction Is the floor area free from obstruction?
· Are there any potential trip, slip or other hazards?
· Are the fire extinguishers clearly visible and unobstructed?
The member of staff leading the session/rehearsal, or another member of LYDC's staff present, must be made aware of fire evacuation procedure from the space they are using.
In addition we ask some workers who may have particular requirements, for example new employees or expectant mothers, people with disabilities, temporary workers, contractors to think what additional hazards there might be, as they may notice things that are not obvious to us and may have some good ideas on how to control the risks.
We also check manufacturers’ instructions or data sheets for chemicals and equipment, as they can be helpful in spelling out the hazards.
Having identified the hazards, we decide how likely it is that harm will occur. To ensure safety in the workplace is paramount we undertake appropriate risk assessments and make a record of significant findings – the hazards, how people might be harmed by them and what controls should be put in place to reduce significant risks.
It is recommended that artists/arts facilitators working for LYDC avoid being the sole carer/facilitator of a group of children except in cases of emergency. In situations where this is unavoidable, for example if another teacher/primary carer has to leave the room unexpectedly, then exit doors should be left open and other staff informed immediately. If privacy is required for a meeting with an individual young person or vulnerable adult, this should take place as openly as possible and other staff should be informed where and when the meeting is to take place.
· Do not single out children/young people/vulnerable adults for unnecessary criticism, or unwanted attention in relation to physique, style of dress, language, sexuality, gender, race or religion. Or, make sexually suggestive comments in front of, about, or to them even in fun.
· Avoid unnecessary physical contact. For example discourage children from sitting on your lap. There are occasions of course when physical contact is necessary or desirable, such as technical adjustments for safety, comforting a distressed child, or as part of a dance sequence.
· Do not take children/young people/vulnerable adults alone on a car journey, however short. Where this is unavoidable, it should be with the consent of parents or carers and someone in charge of the organisation and the contact teacher/worker from the host school or youth club if relevant).
· Do not meet with children/young people/vulnerable adults outside organised activities, unless it is with the knowledge and consent of parents/carers and the person in charge from LYDC and the host organisation (school or youth project etc).
· Ensure that personal relationships with other leaders do not affect your leadership role and any problematic behaviour between staff is dealt with outside of organised activities.
Physical contact should only take place with the consent of the child, young person or vulnerable adult - and most importantly the purpose of the contact should be made clear from the outset.
When working with children, young people or vulnerable adults Artists, staff and volunteers should never:
· Engage in sexually provocative or rough physical games, including horse-play.
· Do things of a personal nature that they (children, young people or vulnerable adults) can do themselves.
· Touch their (children, young people/vulnerable adults) bodies in a sexually provocative way.
Staff of LYDC should not engage in physical restraint but instead should attempt to remove any items that may cause the young person(s) injury and ensure that all other young people have vacated the area. Primary carers should be contacted immediately via the emergency contact number contained in the LYDC register. In a case where after sustained efforts to contact a primary care giver fails, the Gardaí Siochana may be contacted.