MFA Policies
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1. Safe Children,
Young People and Vulnerable Adults Policy
1.1 Maindee Festival Association (MFA) will take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety of all children, young people & vulnerable adults participating in pre-festival workshop, the street parade and all Maindee Festival events.
1.2 MFA believes that the safety of children, young people & vulnerable adults is paramount on all occasions.
1,3 MFA recognises the
importance of the guidance contained within Chapter 22 of the Event
Safety Guide published by the Health and
Safety Executive.
Date: April 2007
Review Date: April 2009
2. The objectives of this policy
2.1
To
protect children, young people & vulnerable adults participating in the Maindee Festival and
associated events from:
·
HARM:
Injury; Abduction; Attack; Emotional distress
·
ABUSE:
Verbal; Physical; Sexual; Bullying
·
EXPOSURE
TO INAPPROPRIATE: Attitudes;
Language; Materials; Actions
2.2 Through these objectives MFA is committed to
ensuring that all possible situations are risk assessed to ascertain the level
of risk involved. MFA will then endeavour to
establish suitable control measures to reduce the risk to acceptable levels.
Both artists and stewards must be aware of the risk assessment and control
measures in place.
2.3
This MFA Safe Children, Young People & Vulnerable Adults Policy will
be accessible to all artists and stewards and also available for inspection to
all.
3. Protection from harm and abuse
3.1
All Festival venues will have:
·
Adequate
lighting and ventilation
·
Adequate
supervision
·
Access
to toilets and running water within a reasonable distance
·
No
smoking in all covered or enclosed areas
·
Provision
for the regular and safe disposal of rubbish
·
Suitable
levels of adult supervision at all times
3.2
Activities
·
Each
activity and event will have a maximum number of participants
·
Age
guidelines will be defined for all daytime activities where children or
vulnerable people are unaccompanied by parents or carers
·
Leaders
of all craft and making things activities will be expected to adhere to the
"Guidelines for Working in Craft Activities within the Maindee
Festival". See appendix A of this policy
·
MFA
has a commitment to the equality of opportunity for all children, young people
and vulnerable adults, including those with disabilities to actively
participate within its events
3.3
Adult
Supervision
·
Events
must be arranged and managed by responsible and suitable adults who have
relevant expertise and experience.
·
A
named person will have overall responsibility for organising the children's
events.
·
Workers
and volunteers must not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs
·
Workers
and volunteers must be deemed to be medically fit
·
MFA
will ensure that appropriate First Aid cover is provided.
·
All
workers and volunteers must know the nearest First Aid point and all emergency
procedures
·
MFA
will make every effort to ensure that all people working with children, young
people and vulnerable adults are fully briefed on all aspects of event safety
and protection issues
·
All
accidents must be recorded on an accident form, to be held in the Festival
accident folder
·
Children
under 8 years must not be left unattended
·
It
is inadvisable for children under 8 years to leave the event unless accompanied
by a parent or carer
·
All
artists and stewards must take all possible steps to avoid the inappropriate
handling or touching of any child
3.4
Behaviour
Management
·
All
artists and stewards must be conversant with procedures for discipline and
dealing with uncooperative children
·
MFA
will not accept disruptive or unruly behaviour from any child which spoils the
enjoyment by others
·
Bullying
and physical abuse from one person to another, will not be tolerated
·
Corporal
punishment (smacking, slapping and shaking) is illegal
·
Practices
that threaten, frighten or humiliate people must not to be used
3.5
Lost
Children or Vulnerable Adults
· All stewards must be aware of the Lost
Children or Vulnerable Adults Procedure as stated in stewards briefing notes.
Children who are lost will be taken to the designated lost children’s
area.
· In most cases a lost child or vulnerable
person should not be in the Festival's care for more than half an hour before
being handed over to the police or Social Services.
4.
Protection from sexual abuse
4.1 MFA is totally committed to protecting vulnerable people of all ages from sexual abuse. MFA believes that it is neither practically possible nor legally required, for all artists and volunteer stewards working within the Maindee Festival, to be police checked or to have a Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure.
4.2 However, MFA is confident that a significant majority of artists and volunteer stewards working with vulnerable people at the Festival do fulfil these requirements.
4.3 To ensure that children are protected from
both sexual and all other types of abuse, MFA reserves the right not to employ
in any capacity:
·
Any
person with a known history of sexual abuse to children
·
Any
other person that they feel presents a danger or threat to the safety of
children
4.4 MFA will endeavour
to take all reasonable steps possible, to ensure that there are no situations
where any artist or volunteer steward is working within a situation where they
have sole charge and unsupervised access to children.
4.5 MFA is totally committed to reviewing this
Policy every two years, to ensure that there is neither complacency nor
negligence in its commitment to protecting children from abuse.
5.
Protection
from exposure to inappropriate activities, actions, language and materials
5.1
The
Festival is committed to:
·
Booking
childrens performers whose acts have been previously
viewed or who provide creditable references
·
Ensuring
that performers or stewards do not swear, use lewd actions or make
inappropriate references to sexual or illegal activities
·
Ensuring
that artists and stewards avoid overt criticism or sarcasm to any child
·
Providing
artists with guidance about the age range of children
·
Ensure
that all artists and stewards avoid stereotypical attitudes, racist terminology
or gender bias
MFA
Chairperson
Name________________________Signed _________________________ Date
Appendix
A
GUIDELINES FOR WORKING IN CRAFT ACTIVITIES
WITHIN THE FESTIVAL
It
is not possible to remove risk altogether in craft activities, but it is
essential to reduce any such risk to acceptable levels by careful planning and
selection of materials to be used.
All
people working in craft activities must be safety conscious at all times and
activity leaders should carry out a basic Risk Assessment on their activity
before arriving at the Festival.
Stewards
are present to help with activities and to minimise risk.
Stewards
will carry out regular checks on materials being used. If they are not happy
with materials being used they must be withdrawn from use immediately.
THE USE OF MATERIALS AND TOOLS
Ensure that all adhesives, paints, varnishes etc. are suitable for use with children i.e. are non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Check
all materials, especially re cycled junk materials, thoroughly for cleanliness,
staples etc.
Be
aware that some children are allergic to unexpected substances like sandpaper
and some even react to substances, which are generally considered to be safe.
The Festival informs parents via the Children's Programme that substances like
sandpaper and PVA may be used.
Be
especially careful with the use of "sharps" e.g. scissors, craft
knives. It is best to use only round-ended scissors and restrict the use of
real "sharps" to adults. Consider carefully the need to use tools in
your sessions, it may be safer to pre-cut the items.
Be
constantly aware of the location of your tools, and at the end of each session
make sure that all are accounted for.
Hot
glue guns, staple guns and other similar tools should be kept away from
children and should only used by adults.
Any
possible sources of heat e.g. hot water, hot irons should be kept out of the
reach of children and supervised at all times. Always consider how essential
such things are to the success of the activity and plan for their safe use.
(end)
2. Child Protection Policy
Child abuse is a global phenomenon. It occurs
in all countries and in all societies. It involves the physical, sexual,
emotional abuse and neglect of children. It is nearly always preventable.
Maindee Festival Association
(MFA) believes that:
MFA
will take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety of all children, young
people & vulnerable adults participating in pre-festival workshop, the
street parade and all Maindee Festival events from
abuse.
Date Created : April 2002
Last Reviewed: April 2007
Maindee Festival Association (MFA) believes that:
This document
describes our commitment to prevent abuse and protect children with whom we
come into contact.
The aim is to
help raise awareness of child abuse and of what is expected of staff, within
the MFA
THE PROBLEM
OF ABUSE
Child abuse is
a global phenomenon. MFA works with many children and young people living in
MFA's child
protection policy recognises this fact and aims to ensure that the problem of
child abuse and how to prevent it is addressed in every aspect of our work with
and for children.
MFA,
CHILDREN’S RIGHTS AND CHILD ABUSE
MFA supports
the vision of a world where the lives of all children reflect the international
standards set out in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. This
includes the right to freedom from abuse and exploitation.
The child
protection policy aims to translate this commitment to children’s rights into a
practical reality through our work with children.
SAFEGUARDING
CHILDREN
Through its
emphasis on prevention, the policy aims to minimise the risks of children being
abused.
MFA will also
do all it can to ensure that children who are being abused, or who are at risk
of abuse, are supported and given protection.
It is also
possible that, on occasions, staff and others engaged by MFA or its partners to
work with children, may pose a risk to children and abuse their position of
trust.
The policy
demands the highest standards of professional practice in work with children
and describes the values and principles that must underpin our approach to
children.
MFA's POLICY
COMMITMENT
MFA’s child
protection policy covers all contact with children at any MFA event or
activity. We will ensure that our staff, volunteers, contractors or partners:
• are aware
of the problem of child abuse
• safeguard
children from abuse through good practice
• report all
concerns about possible abuse
• respond
appropriately when abuse is discovered or suspected.
WHAT ARE MY
RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THE POLICY?
All staff,
volunteers and other representatives of MFA must be familiar with the policy
and be aware of the problem of abuse and the risks to children.
Everyone is
responsible for defending the rights of children and, where possible,
preventing any abuse of children.
This means
raising any concerns you may have about the safety of children and/or the
behaviour of adults.
WHAT SHOULD
I DO IF I SEE OR SUSPECT POSSIBLE ABUSE?
Beyond
immediate action to intervene to protect a child in cases where actual or
potential harm is directly witnessed at that time, as a small voluntary organisation we do not have the expertise or authority to
act on behalf of a child at risk. You therefore should:
Concerns for
the safety and well being of children can arise in a variety ways and in the
whole range of different settings in which we work. For example, a child may
tell you or display signs that they are being abused; someone may hint that a
child is at risk or that a colleague is an abuser; you may witness or hear
about abuse in another organisation.
If you have any
suspicions or concerns regarding possible child abuse, or if there is anything
with which you feel uncomfortable, you should raise these concerns with an
officer of the Association or a trusted adult and then contact the Newport
County Borough Council Social Services Duty Desk (01633 235407).
The
important thing is to act on your concerns!
ISSUE DATE:
April 2007
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3. Maindee Festival Association
EQUAL
OPPORTUNITIES POLICY
The Maindee Festival Association exists to build bridges
between different sections of the community.
Equality
of opportunity is at the heart of our aims.
The Association
is committed to both the avoidance of unlawful discrimination and the positive
promotion of equal opportunities.
No employee or
member of the Association, festival visitor or participant in any event
organised by the Association shall experience more or less favourable
treatment on the grounds of ability, gender, sexual orientation, marital
status, family responsibility, age, race, colour,
ethnic origin, nationality, trade union membership and activity, political or
religious beliefs.
In order to
ensure the effective implementation of this policy the Association will monitor
its policies, practices and procedures on a continuing basis. Where
appropriate, action will be taken to address any matters arising from
monitoring. The Association’s commitment to equal opportunities will be publicised as appropriate.
COMMUNICATION
OF POLICY
Existing
committee members will be provided with the policy. New committee members will
be advised of the Equal Opportunities Policy which will be also be made
available to Festival contractors.
OWNERSHIP
AND LOCATION OF RESPONSIBILITIES
The Association
Chairperson has overall responsibility for ensuring the consistent application
of the policy. All members are responsible, within the limits of the
constitution, for ensuring that the policy is adhered to. All members must
ensure that their conduct is in accordance with the Equal Opportunities Policy
and members whose actions demonstrate a failure in this respect may have their
membership revoked.
The Association
Committee will nominate one member to act as the Equal Opportunities Advisor to
the committee
INFORMATION,
ADVICE AND COUNSELLING
Information and
advice relating to the Equal Opportunities Policy should normally be sought in
the first instance from the EO Advisor. Where this is not appropriate, or more
specialist advice or information is required, the Association will liaise with
representatives of relevant local organisations. Any member or participant who
feels that the Association is failing in its responsibilities in respect to
Equal Opportunities will be encouraged to contact the Chairman or EO Advisor,
or failing this, to report the matter directly to the relevant officer in the
Arts Council for Wales or Newport County Borough Council.
OTHER
EMPLOYMENT RELATED POLICIES, PROCEDURES AND CODES OF PRACTICE
Existing
policies, procedures, practices and implementation guidelines will be reviewed
and revised, including recruitment and selection and training and development,
if this applies. Other new policies, for example harassment, will be developed
as required as part of the effective implementation of the Equal Opportunities
Policy.
MEMBER &
STAFF TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT
The
implications of the Equal Opportunities Policy will be addressed through
appropriate training and development activities.
MONITORING
AND REVIEW
The
implementation of the Policy will be monitored and reviewed regularly to
determine and improve its effectiveness in developing an environment where
equal opportunities are promoted positively by all members and staff.
Under
representation of particular groups on the committee will be considered by the
Association, and where appropriate, action plans will be developed to seek to
redress the balance. Action plans could include development of training
packages (for example, assertiveness, trans-cultural
awareness and development opportunities) and appropriate equipment for disabled
members and participants. Action plans developed where a specific need is
identified through an Equal Opportunities audit will not be developed in
isolation, but will be linked into individual training and development plans.
FIRST ISSUE DATE: June 2001
POLICY LAST
REVIEWED: April 2007