Churchill Flute Band

Child Protection Policies And Procedures

Child Protection Policy

The Churchill Flute Band is committed to a practice, which protects children from harm. We, the committee members of the Churchill Flute Band, believe it is the responsibility of the committee and senior members of the band to care for and develop the junior members to the best of their individual abilities by creating an environment in which they are safe and receive the best possible musical instruction. Fair play and mutual understanding play an important role in the ethos of the band. Once the committee and the senior band members, who will be working with the children, have been vetted, will be made aware of our ethos and Child Protection Policy.

To accommodate our code of conduct we institute the following practices:

  • Adhering to child protection guidelines as set out by the D.H.S.S
  • Sharing information about child protection and to encourage band members to develop their training and awareness in this field

We are committed to reviewing our policy and what constitutes good practice at regular intervals.

Conduct Code

It is essential for everyone involved to be made aware of the behavioural standards in place at the Churchill Flute Band and what is not acceptable and additionally that, on joining the band, members are given a written brief on the general conduct code:

  • No foul or abusive language
  • No bullying
  • Respect for the other participants
  • Be on time
  1. Adult band members are advised not to spend excessive time alone with a child / children1. Do not go into the toilet alone with children.
  2. Meetings with individual children, or small groups of children [i.e. Learners Class] should take place as openly as possible. Never take, or make arrangements to meet, a child alone in your home. Adult band members should not meet with children outside organised activities, unless it is with the full knowledge and consent of the parents2 and that the band committee is aware of the meeting.
  3. If on occasion privacy is required, other committee members should be informed and at least one should be within earshot of the conversation. The door should be left open.
  4. Band members should avoid unnecessary physical contact with children. On occasion when an injury occurs or a child is distressed, the involved adult should explain to the child what he or she is doing but only with the consent of the injured party and in full view of as many persons as possible.
  5. Adult band members and committee persons should be careful of extending hugs and celebrations where bodily contact is involved. This is important not only for the adults protection, but for the children also.
  6. If a child touches you in an inappropriate place, record the incident and report it to another adult. While an incident could be purely innocent or horseplay, efforts should be made to inform the offending child that this behaviour is not acceptable in a manner that does not intimidate the involved party.
  7. Car journeys should be will the full knowledge and consent of the parents2 and the band committee. It is not good practice to be alone with the child in the car and if possible make your pickup point and drop-off point with at least two children.
  8. Never keep suspicions of abuse by another band member to yourself. If there is an attempt to cover up, you could be implicated by your silence. Inform the appropriate person(s) of the committee of your suspicions.
  9. Band outings should be well organised:
    • Parents informed by letter on times of departure and return
    In relation to overnight stays:
    • Never ask a child to your room
    • If checking rooms, make sure you do so in pairs
    • Make the children aware of the availability of telephones to contact home
    • Parents should be aware of contact telephone numbers in the case of an emergency
  10. 10. Band members should never:
    • Engage in a sexually provocative manner or indulge in horseplay which may be constructed in the wrong manner
    • Allow children to use foul language unchallenged
    • Make sexually suggestive comments about, or to a child, even in fun
    • Let allegations a child makes go without being addressed and recorded
    • If a complaint is made, a committee member should be informed immediately and a record of that meeting logged

1 A child is a person under the age of 18 years as defined in The Children [NI] Order 1995.
2 The term "parent" includes those with parental responsibility and those who act as carers.

Dealing With Allegation And The Procedure To Follow

The Band committee will designate a person who will be responsible for dealing with concerns within the band. This individual will be well known to band members, parents and participants and will make him or herself readily available to handle any inquiries of any nature concerning the personnel or the activities of the Churchill Flute Band.

If a child gives an indication that he or she may want to talk to you about a problem you should:

  • Arrange a time and place where you can talk confidentially as soon as possible [as outlined in item 3]
  • Stay calm and reassuring
  • Explain to the child that if the complaint is of a serious nature that it may be necessary to inform others
  • Listen to everything the child has to say - to not stop the child from talking
  • Under no circumstances interrogate the child
  • Be clear in your mind what the child has related to you
  • Ask if he / she has told anyone else, and if not, tell him / her who would be a good person to contact
  • Explain that there are other people who will help and it may be necessary to contact them
  • Don't make any promises to the child
  • Thank the child for informing you and reassure he / she that they were right to do so

Action

Record the discussions accurately and as soon as possible.

Contact the designated person within the band immediately and seek guidance in relation to the complaint. This person, after the discussion, may contact the Social Services and if appropriate, make a direct referral. If this person is not available contact Social Services.

It is important to keep a record of ALL actions taken i.e. letters and telephone calls.

While this procedure should be followed, the designated officer may consider that complaints of a lesser nature i.e. bullying etc could be handled internally without outside involvement. However, it must be emphasized that each case will be thoroughly investigated and remedied to the satisfaction of the child / parent concerned. Appropriate action will be taken. It is important to maintain confidentiality.