WHARFEDALE FESTIVAL OF PERFORMING ARTS
CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

(Implemented from 1 July 2004) 

 

PURPOSE OF THE WHARFEDALE FESTIVAL OF PERFORMING ARTS

 The Wharfedale Festival of Performing Arts is in place to provide amateur performers of the Arts (Music, Speech, Literature, Dance and Drama) with the experience of competing on a prestigious public stage with the educational benefit of encouragement and guidance from specialist and highly respected adjudicators.

THE FESTIVAL ENVIRONMENT

The Festival is organised and run by a Management Committee and a team of helpers, and all of the individuals involved, provide their time on a voluntary basis.

The Festival shall provide, as far as is reasonably practicable, a safe environment for all Festival attendees and Participants.

The Festival shall seek to advise and involve all Teachers, Parents, Guardians, Carers and Club/Organisation Leaders in ensuring that all possible precautions are taken to protect the well-being of all persons covered by this Policy (see appropriate points under “To Whom does this Policy Apply?” below)

(Please Note: Any subsequent use of the terms “Parents” shall include “guardians and carers”)

 TO WHOM DOES THIS POLICY APPLY? 

This Policy covers:

· CHILDREN up to the age of 18 years.

· VULNERABLE ADULTS of any age who are identified to the Festival Committee prior to their arrival at any Festival event or venue.

(Please Note: Any subsequent use of the term “Children” includes “vulnerable adults”)

 

In recognising the needs of Children from minority Ethnic groups and Children who are disabled, the Festival actively seeks to meet any specific needs that are notified to the Festival by Parents, Teachers or Club/Organisation Leaders with reasonable notice.

FESTIVAL PERSONNEL

The Festival’s Management Committee is responsible for implementing the Festival’s Child Protection Policy in full

Festival helpers have generally been associated with the Wharfedale Festival of Performing Arts over a number of years and all new helpers are appointed, after nomination to and approval by, the Festival’s Management Committee

All volunteer helpers and official accompanists are made fully aware of and support this Child Protection Policy.

All volunteer helpers wear a badge and anyone wearing a badge can be approached for help in the case of a problem and will direct you to the person who will deal with it. All problems will be taken seriously, documented and dated.

Festival personnel on duty as any event or venue are expected to monitor the Festival environment and to challenge any unacceptable or suspicious behaviour.

PREPARATION FOR ATTENDANCE AT THE FESTIVAL

This Policy makes it clear that, where parents are not personally attending with their children, the Wharfedale Festival requires them to be satisfied that their children will be accompanied to the Festival and adequately supervised by responsible adults acting on their behalf. Festival helpers will not act as supervisors at the Festival.

Teachers and Club/Organisation Leaders, receiving this Policy document, are required to confirm to the Wharfedale Festival in writing, either that they have sought parental permission to bring children to the Wharfedale Festival as part of a school-regulated outside activity or that they have passed a copy of this Policy to all parents of children attending the Wharfedale Festival in time for them to make arrangements for the care of their children during the events.

CHANGING AND “WARM-UP” FACILITIES

The Festival does not provide “Warm-up” facilities/rooms at any of its venues.

In certain disciplines/classes it may be necessary for the Festival to provide a changing facility and the responsible adult accompanying any Children using such facilities must supervise them at all times.

Public areas such as toilets and corridors are not supervised.

AUDIO AND VISUAL RECORDING

The use of all audio or visual recording equipment at any Festival event or venue is strictly forbidden.

The Festival does not employ an official photographer at any Festival event or venue, but reserves the right to do so at specific events.

Parents will be offered the opportunity to “object to photography” by ticking the appropriate box on the Application Form for the agreed events (see Clause 7.2 above)

The Festival will not use photographs of Children on its web site without parental permission.

CURRENT LEGISLATION THAT SUPPORTS THIS POLICY

The Children Act 1989

The Police Act 1997

The Data Protection Act 1998

The Human Rights Act 1998

The Protection of Children Act 1999

The Criminal Justice and Court Service Act 2000

POLICY GUIDANCE AND REVIEW

9.1 The Management Committee of the Wharfedale Festival for Performing Arts will review their Child Protection Policy on an annual basis, ensuring it is current and complies with all appropriate legislation and good practice.

 

9.2 Guidance on all reviews and suggested amendments will be sought from The British & International Federation of Festivals on all related policy and procedures, and The Federation will consult other appropriate agencies, including but not limited to;

· NSPCC

· Arts Council of England