CHILD PROTECTION POLICY STATEMENT

WAWWA is a group established by Mr Jay Coleman for the benefit of education in drama, music and speech.  Its core activity is to stage shows and concerts, thereby giving the young people of Torfaen and surrounding areas an opportunity to learn performing arts and to both encourage and help them to realise their dreams in the professional world.

WAWWA acknowledges that it has a responsibility for the safety of children under its temporary care.  It also recognises that good child protection policies and procedures are of benefit to everyone involved with WAWWA work, as they can help to protect them from erroneous or malicious allegations

WAWWA is committed to practices which protect children from harm. 

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

WAWWA fully recognises its responsibilities for child protection.

Our policy applies to all members of the company.  There are five main elements to our policy:

·        Ensuring we practice safe recruitment in checking suitability of  members to work with children

·        Raising awareness of child protection issues and equipping children with the skills needed to keep them safe

·        Developing and then implementing procedures for identifying and reporting cases, or suspected cases of abuse

·        Supporting members who have been abused in accordance with his/her agreed child protection plan

·        Establishing a safe environment in which children can learn and develop

We recognise that because of the day to day contact with children, members are well placed to observe the outward signs of abuse.  WAWWA will therefore:

·        Establish and maintain an environment where children feel secure, are encouraged to talk, and are listed to

·        Ensure children know that there are adults in the company whom they can approach if they are worried

·        Include opportunities in the company for children to develop the skills the need to recognise and stay away from abuse

·        Ensure we have a designated person responsible for child protection

·        Ensure every member of the group knows the name of the designated person responsible for child protection and their role

·        Ensure all members of the group understand their responsibilities in being alert to the signs of abuse and responsibility for referring any concerns to the designated person responsible for child protection

We recognise that children who are abused or witness violence and may find it difficult to develop  sense of worth.  They may feel helplessness, humiliation and some sense of blame.  The Company may be the only stable, secure and predictable element in the lives of children at risk.  When at rehearsals etc their behaviour may become challenging and defiant or they may be withdrawn.  The Company will endeavour to support the child through:

·        The content of the curriculum

·        The Company ethos which promotes a positive, supportive and secure environment and gives members a sense of value

·        The Company behaviour policy which is aimed at supporting vulnerable members will ensure that the member knows that some behaviour is unacceptable but they are valued and are not blamed for any abuse which may have occurred

·        A culture of mutual respect between children and those who represent the Company in all its activities will be encourages, with adults modelling good practice in this context

·        It is part of the Company’s acceptance of its responsibility of duty of care towards children that anybody who encounters child protection concerns on the context of their work on behalf of the Company will be supported when they report their concerns in good faith.

Signed:

            FG Coleman

            Director

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