Working with young people (Code of Practice)
Code of Practice –
Working with young people (under the age of 18)
The College has a duty to ensure the safety and well-being of young people with whom we may be working, whether on College premises, on placement or working in the community. Tutors, support staff or students who are in contact with young people should submit a full CRB disclosure. A copy of the disclosure is retained by the HR department in accordance with disclosure retention guidelines.
All College personnel need to observe the following code:
• Every young person will be treated with respect, and has a right to personal privacy.
• Avoid all situations that involve being alone with a young person, out of sight of others.
• Access should be provided for young people to talk about any concerns they may have. Make sure you know who is the appropriate staff member.
• Create a safe environment where everyone feels comfortable to talk about attitudes or behaviours they don’t like.
• Recognise that caution is required, even in sensitive moments of listening, such as dealing with bullying, bereavement or abuse.
• Avoid all situations that compromise your relationship with young people, and are unacceptable within a relationship of trust (irrespective of whether the young person is over the age of consent).
• Remember another person might misinterpret your actions, however well intentioned.
• Remember you are a role model.
• Do NOT – have any inappropriate physical or verbal contact
• Do NOT – jump to conclusions about others without checking the facts
• Do NOT – collude with inappropriate attention-seeking behaviour (such as tantrums or crushes)
• Do NOT – show favouritism to any individual
• Do NOT – make suggestive remarks or gestures, even in fun
• Do NOT – let suspicion, disclosure or allegation of abuse go unrecorded or unreported
If you have any concerns about issues or situations, then talk to a senior member of the College. Breach of this code may be dealt with through the disciplinary procedure.
APPENDICES
(Taken, with amendments, from National Youth Music Theatre policy)
WHAT TO DO IF A CHILD DISCLOSES ABUSE
1 Look at the child directly.
2 Accept what the child says.
3 Be aware that the child may have been threatened.
4 Do not adopt a critical approach.
5 Do not press for information.
6 Reassure the child that (s)he is right to tell you, and that you will take what (s)he says very seriously.
7 Do not promise to keep the information the child has disclosed a secret.
8 Let the child know what you are going to do next, who you are going to tell, and why, and roughly what will happen.
9 Finish on a positive note.
10 As soon as possible afterwards, make hand written notes of exactly what the child said and the date and time.
SUBSEQUENT ACTION TO BE TAKEN
1 Do not delay.
2 Do not act alone.
3 Do not start to investigate.
4 Inform a designated person of the position immediately.
5 The designated person will consult with others relevant to the incident and take a written record of the facts.
7 Notify the Principal
8 The Principal will then inform the social services of the disclosure who will then liaise with the relevant departments on a need-to-know basis and will, if appropriate, inform the police. It is the responsibility of the authorities eg, London Borough of Bexley to determine whether abuse has occurred.
DEFINITIONS OF ABUSE
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scolding, drowning, suffocating, or otherwise causing physical harm to a child. Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer feigns the symptoms of, or deliberately causes ill health to a child they are looking after.
Emotional abuse
Emotional abuse is the persistent emotional ill treatment of a child, such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional development. It may involve conveying to the child(ren) that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person. It may involve causing children frequently to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of children.
Sexual abuse
Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child to take part in sexual activities, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including penetrative or non-penetrative acts. They may include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, pornographic material, or watching sexual activities, or encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways.
Neglect
Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic and/or psychological needs. It may involve a parent or carer failing to provide adequate food, shelter and clothing, failing to protect a child from physical harm or danger, or the failure to ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment. It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to a child’s basic emotional needs.
Signs and Indicators of Abuse
The signs of physical abuse may include:
unexplained bruising, marks or injuries
bruises that reflect hand marks or fingertips
cigarette burns
bite marks
broken bones
scalds
Changes in behaviour can also indicate physical abuse:
fear of parents being approached for an explanation
aggressive behaviour or severe temper outbursts
flinching when approached or touched
depression
withdrawn behaviour
It is important to remember that children and young adults collect cuts and bruises in their daily life. It is important that these can be readily explained.
The signs of sexual abuse may include:
stomach pains
discomfort when walking or sitting down
Changes in behaviour that might indicate sexual abuse include:
sudden or unexplained changes in behaviour
fear of being left with a specific person or group of people
running away
eating problems such as overeating or anorexia
self harm or mutilation, sometimes leading to suicide attempts
saying they have a secret they cannot tell anybody about
substance or alcohol abuse
suddenly having unexplained sources of money
not allowed to have friends (particularly in adolescence)
acting in a sexually explicit way towards adults
Some indicators of neglect may include:
looking badly presented with old, torn clothing
always hungry and looking for food
not being expected to be at home when it seems reasonable that they should be
adults not seeming to know or be interested in what is happening to them
becoming thin and under-nourished
not having what they need for their studies
not receiving medical attention when it seems appropriate
Emotional abuse can be difficult to identify but changes in behaviour may include:
fear of making mistakes
sudden speech disorders
self-harm
fear of parent being approached concerning their behaviour
Further information / guidance can be found at:
NSPCC Child Protection Helpline on 0808 800 5000
Firstcheck: a step by step guide for organisations to safeguard children. www.nspcc.org.uk
Keeping Arts Safe www.artscouncil.org.uk
Area Child Protection Committees www.doh.gov.uk/acpc/local.htm
Criminal Records Protection Bureau line: 0870 90 90 811 www.crb.gov.uk
Disclosure service www.disclosure.gov.uk
Child Protection on the Internet www.wiseuptothenet.co.uk
Child protection policy:
Record of allegation or suspicion of abuse
Name of Participant:
Date of Birth :
Parents/Carers Names :
Home Address / Phone Number :
Date & time of Concern:
Concern identified by:
(Designation):
Is the person making the report expressing their own concerns, or passing on
those of somebody else ?
What has prompted the concerns? Please give details :
Any Physical Signs ? If yes please give details :
Has the child been spoken to ? If yes please give details :
Have parents been contacted ? If yes please give details :
Has anyone been alleged to be the abuser ? If yes please give details :
Has anyone else been consulted ? If yes please give details :
Report prepared by :
Name :
Signed :
Date :
Procedures for Reporting
Please ensure this report is passed to one of the designated persons immediately. Mark the envelope Private and Confidential.
Reporting person:
Staff Member / Participant / Student ambassador
Designated Persons:
Programme leader, YPTW
Director of Community Outreach
Director of Productions
Vice-Principal (Academic)
Principal
External agencies:
Borough Social Services
NSPCC
Police