Innercity Films Child Protection Policy
Innercity Films is a community film and arts organisation based in London. Working with the mediums of digital film, 35mm photography and installation art, Innercity Films inspires creative expression, working with an eclectic mix of young Londoners expressing the diversity and multiplicity of the city. Each project is moulded and created around the needs of each particular group. Innercity Films aims to encourage film and photography as socially inclusive tools in marginalised communities. For practical purposes these projects occur mainly in the Islington Borough. Innercity films has been commissioned to use art and film with a number of diverse groups who may have been socially excluded. These include deprived estates (mainly in the Islington Borough), Pentonville Prison, youth clubs and young offenders institutes with social exclusion problems, art and community centres and local grass roots artists who have struggled to find an outlet for their talent.
The projects have ranged from professional digital filmmaking, 35mm photography, installation art and poetry. The majority of work has been with young people between
the ages of 12-19. Young people are taught film language and the art of making a short film using our own digital equipment – cameras and editing. In addition to this they learn the importance of communication skills and working as a team. The completed projects always end with a screening or an exhibition.
4 ft/pt staff and creative freelancers
POLICY STATEMENT
Innercity films believes that all young people working in conjunction with and under the supervision of Innercity films have the right to do so in a safe and secure environment. The needs of the child are paramount and should underpin all child protection work.
All children deserve the opportunity to achieve their potential.
All children have the right to be protected from harm and exploitation whatever their
race, religion, language or ethnicity
gender or sexuality
age
health or disability
location or placement
criminal behaviour
political or immigration status
Responsibilities for children must be shared because children are only adequately safeguarded when all relevant agencies and individuals accept responsibility and co-operate with one another. Statements about allegations or neglect made by children must always be taken seriously. The wishes and feelings of children are vital elements in assessing risk, formulating protection procedures. In enquiries, that parents and others who care for the child should be fully involved and supported in ensuring the child’s welfare unless to do so would compromise necessary intervention or the welfare of that child.
To this end Innercity films has formulated a Child Protection policy to ensure that good practice regarding the safety and welfare of young people who are working with Innercity films is adhered to. Staff have a crucial role to play in shaping the lives of young people. They have a unique opportunity to interact with children and young people in ways that are both affirming and inspiring. This guidance has been produced to help staff establish the safest possible learning and working environments. The aims are to safeguard young
people and reduce the risk of staff being falsely accused of improper or unprofessional conduct.
CRB Checks
All staff working in the group who have unsupervised access to children & young people must be subject to criminal record checks through the Criminal Records Bureau. All volunteers who have unsupervised access with other people’s children must also be subject to a criminal record check through the CRB. Presently all members of Innercity films are CRB checked and any future staff will be vetted and checked before they are allowed any unsupervised access to young people who are working with Innercity films.
SAFE RECRUITMENT PROCEDURES
All paid staff and volunteers who are entrusted with the care of children and young people must be subject to the full range of pre-employment checks.
Safe recruitment procedures must apply to staff and volunteers who have regular contact with children in the course of his/her duties. A written application form should be completed for all posts, including those of volunteers. Innercity films will ask on the form for any past convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings as well as any pending cases. Innercity films will ask prospective employees if they have ever had any complaints of abuse against them.
Safe recruitment applies to all paid staff and any volunteers that may be used. Safe recruitment means that
Prospective applicants are interviewed
That there is a full and thorough investigation of applicants’ employment history
All applicants must provide two referees who will be contacted
Applicants must provide proof of identification
TRAINING FOR INNERCITY STAFF AND PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEES
Innercity films are currently working in conjunction with IVAC, Islington Voluntary Action Council, to set up a scheme to train members of Innercity films regarding child protection issues. All employees will be given a copy of the Child Protection policy and will also be given guidance regarding the four types of abuse and what the indicators of these types of abuse are and what to do if they suspect a child is being abused. Interview and induction
All employees (and volunteers) will be required to undergo an interview carried out to acceptable protocol and recommendations. All employees and volunteers should receive formal or informal induction, during which: A check should be made that the application form has been completed in full (including sections on criminal records and self-disclosures). Their qualifications should be substantiated. The job requirements and responsibilities should be clarified. Child protection procedures are explained and training needs are identified.
CODES OF BEHAVIOUR
A code of behaviour should be available for staff and volunteers as part of their induction pack – this would be according to the activities of the arts project that Innercity films is working upon For example; taking children to toilets, editing films, working with creative freelancers on multimedia arts projects.
Parents/carers should always be immediately informed if staff/volunteers have had to do things of a personal nature for a child such as changing clothing.
The designated person is required to keep updated and inform all others in Innercity films of any changes regarding child protection laws or best practice.
A worker or volunteer should not be left alone with a child or drive a child home alone.
STAFF TO CHILD RATIOS
In order to ensure effective and safe working practice with young people Innercity films employees will ensure that there is a maximum ratio of 10 young people to every worker when working on projects. There will be, whenever necessary, both male and female workers from Innercity films when working with mixed gender groups of young people.
WHAT ARE THE FOUR TYPES OF ABUSE AND HOW TO RECOGNISE THEM
There are four recognised types of abuse and it is important that all staff and volunteers know what they are and how to recognise them. Your policy should include this information so that it works as a point of reference for all staff.
The following definitions are based on those from Working Together to Safeguard Children (Department of Health, Home Office, Department for Education and Employment, 1999)
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating or otherwise causing physical harm to a child.
Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer feigns the symptoms of, or deliberately causes ill health to, a child whom they are looking after. A person might do this because they enjoy or need the attention they get through having a sick child.
Physical abuse, as well as being a result of an act of commission can also be caused through omission or the failure to act to protect.
Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse is the persistent emotional ill treatment of a child such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional development. It may involve making a child feel or believe that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, whether or not the child is aware of, or consents to, what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including penetrative acts such as rape, buggery or oral sex or non-penetrative acts such as fondling.
Sexual abuse may also include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, pornographic material or watching sexual activities, or encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways.
Boys and girls can be sexually abused by males and/or females, by adults and by other young people. This includes people from all different walks of life.
Neglect
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, failing to protect a child from physical harm or danger, or the failure to ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment. It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child's basic emotional needs.
HOW TO SPOT THE SIGNS OF ABUSE
It is important that workers and volunteers at Innercity films are mindful of and observant towards any young people or children who may be displaying signs of abuse and to this end all Innercity employees and volunteers will be given guidance on how to spot any possible signs of abuse.
Some signs of physical child abuse:
Burns, bite marks, cuts, bruises, or welts in the shape of an object.
Resistance to going home.
Fear of adults.
Some signs of emotional child abuse:
Apathy, depression.
Hostility.
Difficulty concentrating
Some signs of sexual child abuse:
Inappropriate interest in or knowledge of sexual acts.
Seductiveness.
Avoidance of things related to sexuality, or rejection of own genitals or body.
Either over compliance or excessive aggression.
Fear of a particular person or family member.
Some signs of child neglect:
Clothing unsuited to the weather.
Being dirty or unbathed.
Extreme hunger.
Apparent lack of supervision
INSTRUCTION ON HOW TO RESPOND TO A PERSON REPORTING ABUSE
Innercity films takes the issue of child abuse very seriously and all staff should:
Be alert to signs and symptoms of abuse. Create and maintain a safe environment for children. Contribute to the prevention of abuse, promoting resilience, noting indicators and making referrals.
DO:
Do treat any allegations extremely seriously and act at all times towards the child as if you believe what they are saying.
Do tell the child they are right to tell you.
Do reassure them that they are not to blame.
Do be honest about your own position, who you have to tell and why.
Do tell the child what you are doing and when, and keep them up to date with what is happening.
Do take further action – you may be the only person in a position to prevent future abuse – tell your nominated person immediately.
Do write down everything said and what was done.
DON’T:
Don’t make promises you can’t keep.
Don’t interrogate the child – it is not your job to carry out an investigation – this will be up to the police and social services, who have experience in this.
Don’t cast doubt on what the child has told you, don’t interrupt or change the subject.
Don’t say anything that makes the child feel responsible for the abuse.
Don’t do nothing – make sure you tell your nominated child protection person immediately – they will know how to follow this up and where to go for further advise.
REPORTING PROCEDURES
It is vitally important that any disclosure made in confidence is recorded factually as soon as possible; this is whether or not the matter is taken to another authority.
An accurate account should be made of:
Date and time of what has occurred and the time the disclosure was made
Names of people who were involved
What was said or done by whom
Any action taken by the group to gather information and refer on
Any further action, e.g. suspension of a worker or volunteer
Where relevant, reasons why there is no referral to a statutory agency
Names of person reporting and to whom reported
The designated person for child protection should then use the appropriate reporting systems for the situation. This may be reporting the matter to social services or the police. This is why recording all information impartially and accurately is vital as this could be used for evidence for later use. If staff or volunteers of Innercity films encounter abuse or suspicious situations of concern for example, a child might tell, a friend may say something, or a volunteer might notice something then there needs to be a confidential system to report this. The first step would be to discuss the concerns with the designated person and the designated person to take the appropriate action. If the designated person: Donna Travis; is unavailable to contact the NSPCC Child Protection Helpline to seek advice.
WHISTLE BLOWING PROCEDURE
Innercity films recognise the importance of having a policy in effect to deal with possible allegations against employees of Innercity films. Employees have the confidence to report any suspicions regarding employees of Innercity films. All employees of Innercity films have a right and a moral responsibility to report improper actions and omissions. A workplace culture is now developing in which employees who act in good faith and in compliance with the law are protected from interference in or retaliation for reporting improper actions and cooperating with subsequent investigations or proceedings.
Innercity films insist that employees who make allegations against other members of Innercity films must do so: -
A. You must disclose the information in good faith.
B. You must believe it to be substantially true.
C. You must not act maliciously or make false allegations.
D. You must not seek any personal gain.
SAMPLE INCIDENT REPORTING FORM
Club or Agency:
Your Name:
Your Position:
Child’s Name
Child’s Address:
Parents/Carers Name and Address:
Child’s Date of Birth:
Date and Time of any Incident:
Your Observations:
Exactly What the Child Said and What You Said
(Remember, do not lead the child – record actual details. Continue on separate sheet if necessary)
Action Taken so far:
External Agencies Contacted (Date & Time)
POLICE
Yes/No
If yes – which:
Name and Contact Number:
Details of Advice Received:
SOCIAL SERVICES
Yes/No
If yes – which:
Name and Contact Number :
Details of Advice Received:
SPORT GOVERNING BODY
Yes/No Name and Contact Number:
Details of Advice Received:
LOCAL AUTHORITY
Yes/No If yes – which:
Name and Contact Number:
Details of Advice Received:
Other (e.g. NSPCC)
Which:
Name and Contact Number:
Details of Advice Received:
Signature:
Print Name:
Date:
Remember to maintain confidentially on a need to know basis – only if it will protect the child. Do not discuss this incident with anyone other than those who need to know.
NB. A copy of this form should be sent to social services after the telephone report and to the designated Child Protection Officer at Innercity films, Donna Travis.
POLICY ON A SAFE ENVIRONMENT
Innercity Films recognizes the right of young people to work in a safe and secure environment, as Innercity films often conducts its multimedia arts projects in other venues and establishments then Innercity films will use the Safe environment/Health and Safety policy of the venue being used. Where a venue or environment is being used that may not have such a policy then Innercity films will ensure that a Health and Safety checklist, as listed below, and as appropriate will ensure that it is adhered to by the designated Health and safety co-coordinator in Innercity Films, (Donna Travis).
Provide suitable working space and work stations
Keep premises clean and avoid overcrowding
Provide suitable and sufficient lighting and ventilation
Provide emergency lighting
Provide adequate and clean sanitary facilities
Provide wash hand basins with hot and cold water, soap, and towel
Ensure that there are safe easy to open skylights and windows
Supply clean and wholesome drinking water
Sedentary workers must have suitable seating
Provide adequate and clean eating facilities
Keep floors, passages and stairs clear
Fence dangerous machinery and put safety devices on them
Provide safety signs and safety information
Supply facilities for clothing storage
Ensure the minimum workroom temperature after the first hour is 18 degrees centigrade
Remove refuse regularly
Avoid trailing wires
Send staff on proper training courses
Service machinery and equipment regularly
Provide and use personal protective equipment
Provide safe vehicle and pedestrian routes
DESIGNATED PERSON IN CHARGE OF CHILD PROTECTION
Donna Travis 07906122938 or on 0207 687 1392
When Donna Travis is not available please contact Adil Yazdani on 07903766723 or on adilyazdani@tiscali.co.uk
On-Line Child Protection
Within Innercity Films online project;
The areas of risk are:
Child sex offenders – the Internet is an ideal medium for sex offenders. It provides them a forum to access children without letting their identity be known, access to child porn and contact to share information regarding children with other offenders. Children can be ‘groomed’ through chat rooms – sex offenders often talk to children pretending they are other children so they can organise to meet children at a later date. Children must be informed of the dangers of chat rooms.
Unsuitable material for children – children can be exposed to pictures or written material which is pornographic, upsetting or offensive. Sometimes inoffensive materials is circulated which seems perfectly innocent such us pictures of children taking part in sports activities – children may wish to send pictures of themselves. Sex offenders do download this information and can locate a child through the club or project who has put the pictures on their website.
Use of computers should be supervised at all times – not having a computer hidden in the corner and a firewall to be installed so children cannot access undesirable sites. The cost of the a firewall to be included into the application for funding – Grant Officers can give a list of these if required. We suggest the following rules are given to children and young people prior to them having access to the internet.
What should I do if you come across child pornography on the online?
If you come across any disturbing or obscene material on the net involving children you can report this to the Internet Watch Foundation. This is the watchdog organisation for the UK internet industry to get child pornography removed from the internet. Internet Watch Foundation Hotline: 08456 008844 or alternatively contact the NSPCC Child Protection Helpline 0808 800 5000.
Innercity Films will Help Young People Surf in Safety.
We will:
Place the computer a place where others can see it rather than out of sight
Search out positive and fun sites
Talk with young people to agree the kind of sites they can visit. Check to make sure they stay within agreed limits
Filtering software is available to screen out some inappropriate sites. But often sites and users can get around them so stay involved
Tell young people not to give out personal details, including their name, address, telephone number, school or clubs they may attend to anyone over the net. If they arrange meetings make sure a parent or carer goes with them. Make sure they do not receive any gifts (electronic or otherwise) from strangers.
Chat sites are open to misuse, make sure young people are cautious of strangers on-line as they are in the world outside. If they receive threats, obscene or threatening messages they should not respond. They should let you know and you can contact the service provider if appropriate.
http://www.safekids.co.uk
Kids' Rules for Online Safety
1. I will not give out personal information such as my address, telephone number, parents’ work address/telephone number, or the name and location of my school without my parents’ permission
2. I will tell my parents right away if I come across any information that makes me feel uncomfortable.
3. I will never agree to get together with someone I "meet" online without first checking with my parents. If my parents agree to the meeting, I will be sure that it is in a public place and bring my mother or father along.
4. I will never send a person my picture or anything else without first checking with my parents.
5. I will not respond to any messages that are mean or in any way make me feel uncomfortable. It is not my fault if I get a message like that. If I do I will tell my parents right away so that they can contact the service provider.
6. I will talk with my parents so that we can set up rules for going online. We will decide upon the time of day that I can be online, the length of time I can be online, and appropriate areas for me to visit. I will not access other areas or break these rules without their permission
7. I will not give out my Internet password to anyone (even my best friends) other than my parents
8. I will be a good online citizen and not do anything that hurts other people or is against the law.
OTHER CONTACT DETAILS OF SOCIAL SERVICES
Duty Social Worker (children and families) for Islington – contact on 0207 527 7400.
Call the NSPCC Child Protection Helpline on 0808 800 5000
If there is an imminent concern then the out of hour’s duty social worker must be informed, this will depend on the borough that Innercity films are working in and as such Innercity films will find out the contact details for the emergency social worker before work in aforementioned borough and pass these contact details onto the workers.
POLICY REVIEW
The Child Protection Policy will be reviewed in line with developments in child protection guidance.
Signed
Adil Yazdani – Chair – Innercity Films
