Child Protection Policy

The Lakes Players Child Protection Policy

Definition
The Lakes Players are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people (15,
16, 17 years old) in its care.

Principles
 Children and young people should be treated with care, respect and dignity.
 Allow all staff /volunteers of The Lakes Players to make informed and confident responses
to specific child protection issues.
 Communication with children and young people should be open and clear.
 A risk assessment should be carried out when children and young people undertake all
dance/roles within The Lakes Players.

Health and Safety
Where a young person or child is involved a risk assessment must be undertaken.
The risk assessment should set out what arrangements are in place for their care and supervision,
e.g. by a dance teacher, parent, guardian or chaperone, and how these will be communicated to
the appropriate parties.

The health and safety controls in place will include those needed for:

 The people the children or young children will meet
 The environment they will be in
 the equipment they will be using
 The work they will be doing
 The pattern and hours of work

To be handed out to all parents, carers, teachers, or chaperones before they undertake their role
within the Lakes Players Society

Good Practice Guidelines

All personnel should be encouraged to demonstrate exemplary behaviour in order to promote
children’s welfare and reduce the likelihood of allegations being made.
The following are common sense examples of how to create a positive culture and climate.

Good practice means:
 Always working in an open environment (e.g. avoiding private or unobserved situations and
encouraging open communication with no secrets).
 Treating all young people/children equally, and with respect and dignity.
 Always putting the welfare of each young person/child first, before winning or achieving
goals.
 Maintaining a safe and appropriate distance (e.g. it is not appropriate for staff or volunteers
to have an intimate relationship with a child or to share a room with them).
 Building balanced relationships based on mutual trust which empowers children to share in
the decision-making process.
 Making dance fun and enjoyable.
 Involving parents/carers wherever possible. For example, encouraging them to take
responsibility for their children in the changing rooms. If groups have to be supervised in
the changing rooms, always ensure parents, teachers, etc work in pairs.
 Being an excellent role model – this includes not smoking or drinking alcohol in the
company of young people.
 Giving enthusiastic and constructive feedback rather than negative criticism.
 Securing parental consent in writing to act in loco parentis, if the need arises to administer
emergency first aid and/or other medical treatment.
 Keeping a written record of any injury that occurs, along with the details of any treatment given.

Codes of conduct for Parents/Guardians

Child’s Name____________________________________________________

Parents are expected to:

 Positively reinforce their child/young person and show an interest in their role/routine.
 Do not place their young person under pressure or push them into activities they do not
want to do.
 Deliver and collect the child punctually to and from rehearsals.
 Detail any health concerns pertaining to the child on the consent form, in particular
breathing or chest conditions.
 Encourage their child and teach them that they can only do their best
 Ensure their child is punctual
 Be realistic and supportive.
 Provide their child with proper clothing and equipment.
 Ensure their child’s hygiene and nutritional needs are met.

Parents/Guardians have the right to:

 Know their child is safe
 Be informed of problems or concerns relating to their children
 Be informed if their child is injured whilst performing
 Complain if they have concerns about the standard of care
Any misdemeanours and breach of this code of conduct will be dealt with immediately by a Lakes
Player official.

Signature of Parent/Guardian

Printed name of Parent/Guardian

Date