PLAYFUL DOSES DRAMA CIC CHILD PROTECTION POLICY 

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

The PLAYFUL DOSES DRAMA CIC values children as being a vital part of the organisation and desires to see them grow, mature and be challenged in a healthy and safe environment.

The name of the child protection officer is LEIA LICORISH and a copy of this child protection policy will be kept on our website and at the request of agencies. 

Purposes

The purpose of PLAYFUL DOSES DRAMA CIC children’s programme is to offer the children a safe and welcoming environment with fun activities where the children can grow and learn. Whether this be through PLAYFUL DOSES DRAMA CIC activities or through other independent groups working in partnership with PLAYFUL DOSES DRAMA CIC.

Aims

  • To provide activities for children to help nurture their confidence and wellbeing, helping to positively impact their academic, physical, emotional and social development.
  • To enable the children to creatively express themselves.
  • To assist the children in integrating into the community through developing language skills, increasing their ability to expand their social skills.
  • To help children appreciate the diversity and inclusion of all.

Organisation PLAYFUL DOSES DRAMA CIC

  1. Attendance register: a register should be kept for each session and information about any medical or other needs requested from the organisation. 

Child Protection Representative

The PLAYFUL DOSES DRAMA CIC has appointed a child protection representative, If any worker has any child safety concerns, they should discuss them with him/her.  He/she will take on the following responsibilities:

  • Ensuring that the policy is being put into practice;
  • Being the first point of contact for child protection issues;
  • Keeping a record of any concerns expressed about child protection issues;
  • Bringing any child protection concerns to the notice of the Management Committee and contacting the Local Authority if appropriate;
  • Ensuring that paid staff and volunteers are given appropriate supervision;
  • Ensuring that everyone involved with the organisation is aware of the identity of the Child Protection Representative.

When Working in Schools and Other Organisations 

When commencing work with schools/other organisations we will read their safeguarding policies and procedures. When working in schools, the Department of Education guidance for schools “Keeping Children Safe in Education”, will be read each year.

If there are any concerns the designated child protection officer, Leia Licorish, will report to the school/organisation designated safeguarding lead, following their safeguarding policies and procedures.

The policy will be reviewed on an annual basis to ensure that it is meeting its aims.

Personal/Personnel Safety

  • A group of children or young people under sixteen should not be left unattended at any time.
  • Avoid being alone with an individual child or young person for a long time. If there is a need to be alone with a child or young person (e.g. first aid or he/she is distressed) make sure that another worker knows where you are and why.

Child Safety

  1. Make sure that the area you are using for activities is fit for the purpose, e.g. remove furniture, which could cause injury in energetic games.
  • Make sure that all workers and assistants know
    • Where the emergency phone is and how to operate it
    • Where the first aid kit is
    • Who is responsible for First Aid and how to record accidents or injuries in the incident book
    • What to do in the event of a fire or other emergency
  • Make sure all workers read the organisation’s health and safety policy and are aware of what to do in the event of a fire or other emergency.
  • Do not let children go home without an adult unless the organisation has specifically said they may do so. 

Training

It is a great benefit if workers undertake regular training for this type of work. The committee should keep workers informed of relevant courses.

What is child protection?

Child protection is the response to the different ways in which a child’s physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual health are damaged by the actions of another person.

What you should do:

  1. Listen to the child.
  • Look at them directly and do not promise to keep any secrets before you know what they are, but always let the child/young person know if, and why, you are going to tell anyone. 
  • Look at them directly and do not promise to keep any secrets before you know what they are, but always let the child/young person know if, and why, you are going to tell anyone.
  • Take whatever is said to you seriously and help the child/young person to trust his/her own feelings. Take notes of exactly what is said to you avoiding assumptions and conjecture.
  • It is not the role of the worker to investigate any allegations (this would contaminate evidence if a situation went to court). Any disclosure by a child/young person must be reported to the named child protection officer.
  • Speak immediately to the Local Authority or NSPCC for further advice and guidance.

What you should not do

  1. Project workers should not begin investigating the matter themselves.
  2. Do not discuss the matter with anyone except the correct people in authority.
  3. Do not form your own opinions and decide to do nothing.

Things to say or do:

  • ‘What you are telling me is very important’.
  • This is not your fault’.
  • ‘I am sorry that this has happened/is happening’.
  • ‘You were right to tell someone’.
  • What you are telling me should not be happening to you and I will find out the best way to help you’
  • Make notes soon after the event. Try to write down exactly what the young person or child said. Avoid assumptions or conjecture.

Things not to say or do:

  • Do not ask leading questions – Why? How? What?
  • Do not say ‘Are you sure?’
  • Do not show your own emotions e.g. shock/disbelief
  • Do not make false promises

Personal/Personnel Safety

  • A group of children or young people under sixteen should not be left unattended at any time.
  • Avoid being alone with an individual child or young person for a long time. If there is a need to be alone with a child or young person (e.g. first aid or he/she is distressed) make sure that another worker knows where you are and why.

Child Safety

  1. Make sure that the area you are using for activities is fit for the purpose, e.g. remove furniture, which could cause injury in energetic games.
  • Make sure that all workers and assistants know
    • Where the emergency phone is and how to operate it
    • Where the first aid kit is
    • Who is responsible for First Aid and how to record accidents or injuries in the incident book
    • What to do in the event of a fire or other emergency
  • Make sure all workers read the organisation’s health and safety policy and are aware of what to do in the event of a fire or other emergency.
  • Do not let children go home without an adult unless the organisation has specifically said they may do so.

Training

It is a great benefit if workers undertake regular training for this type of work. The committee should keep workers informed of relevant courses.

DBS and Public Liability Insurance:

Workers will have Advanced DBS certificates and up to date personal public liability insurance.

This policy was adopted by PLAYFUL DOSES DRAMA CIC on 27th January 2024.

This policy is reviewed annually.

Last reviewed by Sandy Beech, Senior Director on 27 January 2025.