FRIENDS OF BLAKE MUSEUM

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

For the purpose of this document children are defined as persons under 18 years of age. We believe it to be our responsibility to ensure the protection of children on our premises and engaged in activities under our direct control.

The welfare of children is paramount and any suspicion or allegation of abuse will be taken seriously. All our volunteers and trustees have a responsibility to raise any concerns or suspicions that may arise.

Most children visit in school groups or with a responsible adult such as a relative or youth group leader. (We refer to this adult in this document as the child's carer).

The wellbeing of children is considered part of our health and safety management process. Children will also be protected from physical, emotional, or sexual abuse whilst on our premises.

The primary responsibility for the care of children in the museum rests with the adult carer, however the museum seeks to ensure that its activities and policies also afford as much protection as is reasonably practicable.

We will ensure that this protection is effective by the following measures: -

• Volunteers who are recruited specifically to work with children are selected with care and caution. CRB checking will be undertaken in all cases, therefore only CRB checked volunteers will be on the premises when there is a school visit.
• We have procedures that minimise the opportunity for abuse as all activities will be conducted in an open environment.
• We treat children with dignity and respect.
• We do not conduct activities of any sort on a one-to-one basis.
• First Aid treatment is wherever possible carried out with more than one adult present except in the rare situation of serious injury where any delay in providing urgent first-aid pending the arrival of medical aid would be harmful to the child. All volunteers are aware of this policy
• We require our volunteers to be good role models and they may not use offensive language, make sexually suggestive comments, smoke or drink alcohol in the presence of child visitors
• We avoid the following unacceptable practices both for the protection of children and the safeguarding of our own volunteers:

+ Spending excessive time with individual young people

+ Taking children home (theirs or the adults) or in a private vehicle,

other than in a group

+ Engaging in rough play, horseplay, or games of physical contact

+ Being closeted in a toilet or any private room with an individual child.

+ Doing things of a personal nature, that the child can do for his or

her self or with the assistance of a carer.

+ Physical restraint, other than to prevent danger to the child or

others, damage to property, or to prevent a criminal offence or

serious anti-social behaviour.

Approved by.......................................................................