CHROMA Child Protection Policy for work in Scotland
This policy has been drawn up in order to protect both the participants and facilitators of CHROMA’s educational workshops in Scotland.
CONTENTS:
1. Policy & Good Practice
2. CHROMA Code of Conduct for working with children and young people
3. PVG Scheme and Disclosure Policy
4. Agreement form for hosting schools/organisations
5. CHROMA Education Workshops Incident Reporting form
6. Appendix A – Signs and Symptoms of Potential Abuse
7. Appendix B – Useful Contacts and Resources in Scotland
This is a general policy for anyone who is involved in CHROMA educational workshops in Scotland.
- CHROMA adopts a code of conduct/ good practice (see below)
- All CHROMA company members undertaking educational workshops adhere to this CHROMA safeguarding policy.
- All schools/organisations hosting an educational workshop understand and agree to CHROMA’s safeguarding policy.
- All schools/organizations hosting an educational workshop must provide a designated PVG registered adult present for each workshop undertaken and provide these details to the workshop leaders through CHROMA management prior to the workshop.
CHROMA expects all freelancers involved in the delivery of educational workshops to support our culture which upholds that all people matter and are treated equally, with respect and dignity.
In always putting the care, welfare and safety needs of a child and young person first, we also create an environment which protects CHROMA’s freelancers. Best and safe working practices require that this policy is enacted and its procedures followed.
Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC) 2005, is the Scottish Government’s vision that children/young people in Scotland should become confident individuals, effective contributors, successful learners and responsible citizens. Every child in Scotland has the right to be Safe, Healthy, Active, Nurtured, Achieving, Responsible Respected and Included. These are referred to as the SHANARRI indicators. The welfare and wellbeing of all children and young people is of paramount concern.
Scotland’s Creative Learning Plan, first published in 2013, sets out a shared vision for the importance of creativity in Scottish education. Developed through a partnership of organisations working across Scotland in education and creativity, and endorsed by the Scottish Government, the Plan describes creativity as bringing greater opportunities to both individuals and society, making learning more satisfying and enhancing wellbeing. It also identifies four key creativity skills that learners can use across learning, life and work – curiosity, problem solving, open-mindedness and imagination.
In accordance with the United Nations’ “Convention on the Rights of the Child” https://www.unicef.org/crc/ CHROMA affirms the rights of children and young people to:
- Nurture and care, including the right to be protected from abuse
- Self-expression and self-determination, including a recognition of the importance of the child’s own viewpoint, feelings, interests and wishes
- Enjoy rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts
For the purposes of this policy the definition of a ‘child’ or ‘young person’ is anyone aged under 18 years of age as supported by the Children and Young Person Act (2014). The extension of the use of the term ‘child’ beyond 16 years of age is to ensure that there is not an abuse of the position of trust that exists in the teacher/student relationship. Where a young person aged 16-18 requires protection it must be noted that the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 legislation may apply.
Individuals who undertake “regulated work” with children/young people/adults at risk of harm are required to join the PVG (Protection of Vulnerable Groups) Scheme. (Please refer to CHROMA’s PVG Scheme and Disclosure Policy at foot of this document)
BEST PRACTICE
In working with children/young people CHROMA freelancers must observe the following:
- To always work in an open environment avoiding private or unobserved situations and encouraging open communication with no secrets.
- To treat all young people equally, and with respect and dignity, in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Scottish Government’s GIRFEC framework
- To maintain a safe and appropriate distance with participants. Where physical contact/ assistance is appropriate (for example, in music when adjusting a bow/ instrument hold), it is important to always explain to the individual what is going to happen, to ensure that actions cannot be misinterpreted and to make sure that others in the vicinity are clear as to the actions that are going to take place.
- Do not make suggestive or inappropriate remarks, even in fun, as this could be misinterpreted.
- When working with children to always have a PVG registered adult present and never find themselves alone with a child/children.
- To not make contact with children/vulnerable adults outside the working environment
CHROMA CODE OF CONDUCT
for members and volunteers working with children and young people
CHROMA members and volunteers involved in music for children and young people have a great opportunity to be a positive role model, to support learning and help build confidence.
CHROMA members and volunteers are expected to:
- Ensure the safety of all children by providing effective supervision, proper pre-planning of workshop sessions.
- Consider the wellbeing and safety of participants before the development of performance.
- Establish and address the additional needs of disabled participants or other vulnerable groups.
- Encourage and guide participants to accept responsibility for their own behaviour.
- Treat all young people fairly and ensure they feel valued. Have no favourites.
- Demonstrate an inclusive way of working, which does not discriminate on the grounds of religious beliefs, race/heritage, disabilities hidden or visible, gender, sexual orientation, social classes or ability.
- Respect and listen to the opinions of young people.
- Maintain confidentiality about sensitive information.
- Be positive, approachable and offer encouragement to promote the inclusive culture of CHROMA at all times.
- Develop an appropriate working relationship with participants, based on mutual trust and respect.
- Be a role model, displaying consistently high standard of behaviour, remember children learn by example.
- Not allow any bullying, or the use of bad language or inappropriate behaviour.
- Not let any allegations of abuse of any kind to go unchallenged or unrecorded. Incidents to be recorded using the CHROMA safeguarding reporting system.
- Not abuse members physically, emotionally or sexually.
- Have access to telephone for immediate contact to emergency services if required.
Members and volunteers have the right to:
- Support in reporting of suspected abuse or poor practice.
- Fair and equitable treatment by CHROMA
- Not to be left vulnerable when working with children.
PHOTOGRAPHS/FILMING
The consent of parents/legal guardians of children aged 12 and under must be sought prior to the taking of any images (photographs or filming) and this consent should cover both the taking/recording of images and any subsequent publication of them either in printed (marketing materials, reports etc.) or electronic (websites, e-newsletters, presentations) format.
Guidance on the use of photographic images in general can be obtained from:
https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/research-resources/briefings/photography-sharing-images-guidance
WHEN A CHILD/YOUNG PERSON DISCLOSES TO YOU
There are things that we can do to help children and young people to feel safe and comfortable should they disclose abuse to us. If a child or young person comes to you and makes a disclosure of abuse, here are some important things to remember:
- Your calm, neutral and supportive reaction is important
- Never promise a child that you will not tell anyone what they have told you. Explain that your concern for their wellbeing requires you to have to pass this information on, but that it will be handled confidentially and it will only be reported to those people that need to be told. If possible, tell them who will be told and, to the best of your knowledge, explain to them what will happen next.
- Be neutral and non-judgmental. If a child is telling you about abuse they may have suffered, this can be difficult to hear but is important that any reactions you might have are kept to a minimum. Remember that they may be telling you about something scary or frightening that has happened to them.
- Do not press the child for more information. You should not ask any leading questions, for example “did **** do this you?”. Allow the child to tell their story, you only need to establish the basics of what happened and whether the child is at immediate risk. For example, is the adult the child is talking about the one that they will be going home to today? You just need to establish how urgent it is that any action is taken.
- Keep in mind that the child may have been told not to tell anyone. Sometimes people who abuse children and young people will threaten them, or someone they care about, with further harm if they tell anyone. Reassure the child that they have done the right thing in telling you and that you and others are going to help them. There are lots of reasons why children may be afraid to tell. They may have been bribed not to tell, made to feel that they are to blame for what has happened, threatened with, or experienced, actual violence from the abuser, and/or made to feel afraid of what might happen to the abuser as they could be someone that they know and care about.
- Write down what a child has told you as soon as possible. Be careful to ensure that your note accurately reflects what the child or young person said and the circumstances in which they told you about it. This record may become evidence in a police investigation and will need to be kept confidentially, in line with the workshop host organisation’s recording and storage policies.
- Report this information to the designated officer in the organisation you are working with. It is the responsibility of this person to pass the information to the appropriate authorities outside your organisation, such as the police or local authority, and to consult with them on any immediate action that should be taken to ensure the safety of the child. Remember, it is not your responsibility to investigate or decide if abuse has or has not occurred.
CHROMA Educational workshops in Scotland: PVG Scheme and Disclosure Policy
PVG Scheme Overview
In February 2011, the Scottish Government introduced a new membership scheme to replace and improve upon the current disclosure arrangements for people who work with vulnerable groups (i.e. children and vulnerable adults). This is known as the PVG (Protection of Vulnerable Groups) Scheme. Individuals who work or volunteer with children and/or vulnerable adults as “regulated work” are required to join the PVG Scheme. Anyone with a known history of harmful behaviour will be excluded from the PVG Scheme and from working with children and/or protected adults.
Under the new scheme, people who work on a regular basis with vulnerable groups will join the PVG Scheme and, thereafter, their membership records will be automatically updated if any new vetting information arises. Vetting information is conviction information retrieved from criminal justice systems and non-conviction information held by the police that is considered relevant. This means that any new information indicating that a person may pose a risk to vulnerable groups can be acted upon promptly by Disclosure Scotland and employers.
Regulated Work
The PVG Scheme specifically deals with people who undertake Regulated Work.
Regulated Work is defined by three basic principles;
1. It has to be work (i.e. not a personal relationship)
2. It has to be with children or protected adults
3. The work has to include;
· A particular type of activity such as caring for or teaching a child or protected adult
· Work in a particular establishment, such as a school or a care home, which involves contact with children or protected adults
· Holding one of the specified positions, such as member of a children’s panel or chief social work officer
If a person undertakes any of the following activities as part of their normal duties then they may be doing regulated work;
- Caring for children
- Teaching, instructing, training or supervising children
- Being in sole charge of children
- Unsupervised contact with children under arrangements made by a responsible person
- Providing advice or guidance to a child or to particular children which relates to physical or emotional well-being, education or training
- Moderating a public electronic interactive communication service which is intended for use wholly or mainly by children
- Providing, or working for an organisation which provides, a care home service which is provided exclusively or mainly for children
- Providing, or working for an organisation which provides, an independent health care service which is provided exclusively or mainly for children
- Providing, or working for an organisation which provides, an independent health care service which is provided exclusively or mainly for children
- Work on any part of day care premises at times when children are being looked after in that part
- Being a host parent.
The majority of CHROMA’s work is concerts and performances, its mentoring/coaching is mostly in conservatoires. The ensemble’s workshops in primary and secondary schools represent a lesser portion of its activity. Children come into contact with the musicians of CHROMA either as part of an audience (incidental contact) or in workshops. CHROMA ensures that a PVG registered adult is present in every workshop we undertake with children or young people.
CHROMA is a collective of freelance musicians who are booked for workshops on a project by project basis. There are no permanent contracts. CHROMA is a charity registered in England and Wales – number 1135431 and is a non-incorporated association.
As CHROMA is not listed as a regulated organisation, it is not automatically required to ensure the freelancers who are booked to deliver workshops are PVG scheme registered.
Organisations are only able to submit an application for a PVG record if the applicant intends to undertake regulated work with children or protected adults. To submit an application for a role that does not involve regulated work would be inappropriate and unlawful.
Incidental Test
Some, but not all, activities with children or protected adults are excluded from being regulated work if the activity is occurring incidentally to working with individuals who are not children or protected adults.
An activity is likely to be incidental when;
· It’s open to all (characterised by where the event is held, where it is advertised, admission policy etc);
· It’s attractive to a wide cross-section of society
· Attendance is discretionary
Safeguarding for CHROMA’s Educational Workshops in Scotland prepared by Claire Shovelton (Producer)
reviewed 25 January 2023 and approved by the trustees on 26 January 2023
CHROMA Education Workshops – Agreement Form (SCOTLAND)
Workshop Name
School/Organisation
School/Organisation’s child protection contact
Tel
Date
Workshop Facilitators Names:
Designated PVG Registered Adult for workshop:
Name
Tel No.
Status (i.e. Teacher/Learning support/parent):
I understand and agree with the CHROMA Child/Vulnerable Adult Protection policy (for work in Scotland) and adhere to its contents.
Name:
Signed:
Date:
CHROMA Education Workshops Incident Reporting Form (SCOTLAND)
Name of workshop facilitator:
Name of PVG registered adult:
Who was present?
Account of Incident (include day, time & location):
Please use space below to describe incident in detail:
· Note as much detail as possible about the incident
· Record factual information
· Do not make any assumptions about the situation
· Where possible use the words of the child/young person
Actions taken:
Name:
Signed:
Date:
Copies of this form must be given to:
· The schools designated child protection contact
· The PVG registered adult
CHROMA Management, Any enquiries call CHROMA Management 07969 135794
APPENDIX A:
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF POTENTIAL ABUSE
What is Child Abuse?
The Scottish Government guidance (2014)1 states that ‘child abuse and neglect is the maltreatment of a child’. An individual may abuse or neglect a child or adult at risk of harm directly, or may be responsible for abuse or neglect because they fail to prevent significant harm by another person. ‘Significant Harm’ is circumstances where “a child or young person’s basic needs are not being met in a manner which is appropriate to his or her individual needs and stages of development and the child is, or will be, at risk through avoidable acts of commission or omission on the part of their parent(s), sibling(s) or other relative(s) or a carer (i.e. the person(s) while not a parent who has actual custody of, charge of, or control over a child).”
Abuse is any form of physical, emotional or sexual mistreatment or lack of care that leads to injury or harm. It commonly occurs within a relationship of trust or responsibility and is an abuse of power or a breach of trust. Abuse can happen to a child regardless of their age, gender, race, disability or ability, sexual orientation, religion or socio- economic status.
Some of the main types of abuse are: physical, emotional, sexual and neglect.
Children/young people and adults at risk of harm may be abused in a family or in residential care or in the community, including artistic and sporting activities by any individual known to them or by a stranger.
Children with disabilities are at increased risk of abuse through various factors such as stereotyping, prejudice, discrimination, isolation and a powerlessness to protect themselves or adequately communicate that abuse has occurred.
The lists below are by no means exhaustive and must not be used as a checklist but are designed to give CHROMA freelancers some guidance on how to recognise child abuse and neglect.
Any information has to be seen in the context of the child or young person’s whole situation and circumstances. Different types of abuse may overlap or co-exist.
It may be that a child or young person may tell someone that they are being abused but they show no obvious signs. It is crucial that if a child or young person says that he/she is being abused the matter is taken seriously and passed on as a matter of urgency.
Physical Abuse - is the causing of physical harm to a child or young person.
Physical abuse may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning or suffocating. 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 (this is known as fabricated or induces illness).
In a performing arts situation, physical abuse may occur when the nature and intensity of training disregard the capacity of the young person’s immature and growing body.
Problems may also be encountered when children or young people are working on set or in an alien environment, when extra care and attention is needed.
Emotional Abuse - is persistent emotional neglect or ill treatment that has severe and persistent adverse effects on a child’s emotional development. It may involve conveying to a child that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person. It may involve the imposition of age- or developmentally-inappropriate expectations on a child. It may involve causing children to feel frightened or in danger, or exploiting or corrupting children. Some level of emotional abuse is present in all types of ill treatment of a child; it can also occur independently of other forms of abuse.
In the performing arts this may occur when the young person is constantly criticized, given negative feedback or expected to perform at levels that are above their capability. Other forms of emotional abuse could take the form of name calling and bullying.
Sexual Abuse - is any act that involves the child in any activity for the sexual gratification of another person, whether or not it is claimed that the child either consented or assented. 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 in watching sexual activities, using sexual language towards a child or encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways. Child sexual exploitation involves a young person under the age of 18 being manipulated, forced, pressurised or coerced into taking part in a sexual act in exchange for something.
In the performing arts, activities which might involve physical contact with students could potentially create situations where sexual abuse may go unnoticed.
Neglect - is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development. It may involve a parent or carer failing to provide adequate food, shelter and clothing, to protect a child from physical harm or danger, or to ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment. It may also include neglect of, or failure to respond to a child’s basic emotional needs. In its extreme form children can be at serious risk from the effects of malnutrition, lack of nurturing and stimulation. This can lead to serious long-term effects such as greater susceptibility to serious childhood illnesses and reduction in potential stature. With young children in particular, the consequences may be life-threatening within a relatively short period of time.
In the performing arts, this could occur when a tutor does not keep a child or young person safe, or when inadequate rest breaks or facilities (such as changing and toilet facilities) are provided.
Other areas to be aware of:
- Bullying or Cyber-bullying
- Organised abuse, for example, children involved in prostitution and ritual abuse
- Fabricated or induced illness in a child by a carer
- Foetal abuse, for example, through maternal abuse of alcohol or drugs
- Domestic abuse – primarily of female parents or carers but not always
- Children and young people affected by parental or carer substance abuse
- Abuse linked to identity – race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, disability, etc.
- Female genital mutilation
Human trafficking or exploitation
- Forced marriage
- Children and young people affected by their parents’ or carers’ mental health issues
- Children and young people’s own mental health
- Young carers
- Children and young people who need protecting from harming themselves, through self-inflicted injuries or reckless behaviour
- Online safety
WHAT IS CHILD PROTECTION?
‘Child Protection’ means protecting a child from abuse or neglect. This need not have taken place but there may be the identification of ‘a likelihood of risk or significant harm from abuse or neglect’.
Within a child protection context the risk of significant harm can result from a specific incident or series of incidents over a period of time. There are no absolute criteria for significant harm but the following definitions may help:
• ‘Harm’ means the ill treatment or the impairment of health or development of the child which may include seeing or hearing the ill treatment of another.
• Development can mean physical, intellectual, emotional, social or behavioural. Health can mean physical or mental.
• The ‘harm’ suffered or likely to be suffered is ‘significant’ in that the child’s development is not as expected when compared with similar children.
APPENDIX B:
USEFUL CONTACTS AND RESOURCES
Creating Safety: Child Protection Guidelines for Scotland’s Arts, Screen and Creative Industries” 2019 edition
https://www.creativescotland.com/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/21373/Creating-Safety-2019-FINAL.pdf
This document provides guidance on child protection for individuals and organisations involved in delivering artistic, cultural and creative projects for children and young people in Scotland.
Child Protection System in Scotland
https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/child-protection-system/scotland
Scottish Government
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/People/Young-People/protecting/child-protection
This website contains a wealth of information about child protection, including the Scottish Government’s Children’s’ Charter, a framework for standards, internet safety, information about local Child Protection Committees and the latest publications by the Scottish Government.
National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC)
The NSPCC is a UK charity campaigning and working in child protection. You can search the site for Child Protection Training and other services in Scotland and use the library service to search for any research publications and press releases.
Children in Scotland
Children in Scotland is a national agency for voluntary, statutory and professional organisations and individuals working with children and their families in Scotland.
Glasgow Child Protection Committee
www.glasgowchildprotection.org.uk/
RespectMe
Scotland’s anti-bullying service https://respectme.org.uk
Forced marriage
https://webarchive.nrscotland.gov.uk/3000/https://www.mygov.scot/forced-marriage
Forced marriage Helpline: 0800 027 1234
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/child-abuse-and-neglect/fgm
FGM advice line is available through the NSPCC: 0800 028 3550 21
5Rights Foundation
Exists to articulate the rights of children and young people in the digital environment.