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We in Fantasy Wings are committed to a practice, which protects children from
harm.
Staff and volunteers in this organisation accept and recognise our
responsibilities to develop awareness of issues, which cause children and
young people harm.
We will endeavour to safeguard children and young people by –
– Adopting child protection guidelines through a code of behaviour for
staff and volunteers.
– Sharing information about child protection and good practice with
children, parents, staff and volunteers.
– Sharing information about concerns with agencies who need to know,
and involving parents and children appropriately.
– Following carefully the procedures for recruitment and selection of staff
and volunteers
– Providing effective management for staff and volunteers through
supervision, support and training
We are also committed to reviewing our policy and good practice at regular
intervals.
CODE OF BEHAVIOUR
Statement of Intent
It is the policy of Fantasy Wings to safeguard the welfare of all children and
young people by protecting them from all forms of abuse including physical,
emotional and sexual harm.
This organisation is committed to creating a safe environment in which young
people can feel comfortable and secure while engaged in any of Fantasy Wings
programmes, training events or workshops. Personnel should at all
times show respect and understanding for individual’s rights, safety and
welfare, and conduct themselves in a way that reflects the ethos and
principles of Fantasy Wings
Guidelines for all Fantasy Wings staff and volunteers
ATTITUDES
Staff and volunteers should be committed to
Treating children and young people with respect and dignity
Always listening to what a child or young person is saying
Valuing each child and young person
Recognising the unique contribution each individual can make
Encouraging and praising each child or young person
BY EXAMPLE
Staff and volunteers should endeavour to
Provide an example, which we would wish others to follow
Use appropriate language with children and young people and
challenge any inappropriate language used by a young person
or child or an adult working with young people.
Respect a young person’s right to privacy
ONE TO ONE CONTACT
Staff and volunteers should
Not spend excessive amounts of time alone with children, away
from others
In the unlikely event of having to meet with an individual child or
young person make every effort to keep this meeting as open as
possible.
If privacy is needed, ensure that other staff are informed of the
meeting and its whereabouts
PHYSICAL CONTACT
Staff and volunteers should never
Engage in sexually provocative or rough physical games,
including horseplay
Do things of a personal nature for a child or a young person that
they can do for themselves. If such an incident arises, for
example, where a child or young person has limited mobility,
Fantasy Wings staff should seek a member of management to deal with such an
incident
Allow, or engage in, inappropriate touching of any kind
GENERAL
Staff and volunteers should
Be aware that someone might misinterpret our actions no matter
how well intentioned
Never draw any conclusions about others without checking the
facts
Never allow ourselves to be drawn into inappropriate attention seeking
situations such as tantrums or crushes
Never exaggerate or trivialise child abuse issues or make
suggestive remarks or gestures about, or to a child or young
person, even in fun
RELATIONSHIPS
Staff and volunteers
who are involved in relationships with other members of staff or
volunteers should ensure that their personal relationships do not
affect their role within Fantasy Wings or the work of Fantasy Wings.
SHARING INFORMATION ABOUT CHILD PROTECTION AND GOOD
PRACTICE WITH, CHILDREN, STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS
Good communication is essential in any organisation. In Fantasy Wings every
effort will be made to assure that, should individuals have concerns, they will
be listened to and taken seriously.
It is the responsibility of the management to ensure that information is
available to, and exchanged between all those involved in this organisation
and its activities. Some information is confidential and should only be shared
on a strictly need-to-know basis.
Children and young people
Children and young people have a right to information, especially any
information that could make life better and safer for them. Fantasy Wings
will act to ensure they have information about how, and with whom, they can
share their concerns, complaints and anxieties.
When sharing information, Fantasy Wings personnel will be sensitive to the
level of understanding and maturity, as well as to the level of responsibility, of
the people with whom they are sharing.
Parents
Parents / persons with parental responsibility are ultimately responsible for
their children’s welfare at all times, and they should be assured that their
children are involved with a credible organisation.
We achieve this by
– Publicising information on all our primary, post-primary, youth and
parenting work.
– Making the named Designated Child Protection Person(s) and how
to make a complaint available via email
– Making a full copy of the Child Protection Policy available via email
Staff & Volunteers
As an organisation, which offers support and guidance to children and young
people, it is imperative that each member of the Fantasy Wings staff is aware
of their responsibilities under the Child Protection legislation and has a
working knowledge of Fantasy Wings’s procedures. Each member of staff will
receive updated training in Child Protection.
Other Bodies
A copy of our Child Protection Policy will be made available to any other
appropriate body.
SHARING INFORMATION ABOUT CONCERNS WITH AGENCIES WHO
NEED TO KNOW AND INVOLVING PARENTS AND CHILDREN
APPROPRIATELY
PROCEDURE FOR REPORTING ALLEGATIONS OR SUSPICIONS OF
ABUSE
In any case where an allegation is made, or someone in Fantasy Wings
has concerns, a record should be made. Details must include, as far
as practical:
o Name of child or young person
o Age
o Home Address (if known)
o Date of Birth (if known)
o Name/s and Address of parent/s or person/s with parental
responsibility
o Telephone numbers if available
o Is the person making the report expressing their own concerns, or
passing on those of somebody else? If so, record details
o What has prompted the concerns?
Include dates and times of any specific incidents
o Has the child or young person been spoken to?
If so, what was said?
o Has anybody been alleged to be the abuser?
If so, record details
o Who has this been passed on to, in order that appropriate action is
taken? e.g. school, designated officer, social services etc
o Has anyone else been consulted?
If so, record details
ACTION TAKEN
REPORTING PROCEDURES (A)
Staff / volunteer has concerns
Record & Report
Designated Person(s)
Is this a serious
concern?
Yes No
Possibly
Seek advice from designated officer of council / relevant organisation or Social
Services
Report & Record
Yes No
Identify training or practice issues
Designated C.P. Officer of council / relevant organisation / Social Services or
Police
Refer back to staff / volunteer and / or appropriate personnel
DESIGNATED CHILD PROTECTION PERSONS
o For reasons of confidentiality the only person(s) who need to know
this information are the following Designated Child Protection
Persons
Managing Director
& Designated Child Protection Person
Email: info@fantasywings.co.uk
Tel: 0207 965 7593
Social Services Duty Social Worker
Lurgan Health and Social Services Centre
100 Sloan Street
Tel:028 3832 7824
Police C.A.R.E Units
Tel: 028 9065 0222
Ask for Child Abuse and Rape Enquiry Unit
– 24 hours
NSPCC Help line Tel: 0800 800 500 – 24 hours, Freephone
Child Line (NI) Tel: 0800 1111 – Freephone
RECORD-KEEPING
o All records, information and confidential notes should be kept in
separate files in a locked drawer or filing cabinet.
o Only the designated Persons will have access to these files.
DISCLOSURE
o Never guarantee absolute confidentiality, as Child Protection will
always have precedence over any other issues.
o Listen to the child, rather than question him or her directly.
Offer him / her reassurance without making promises, and take
what the child says seriously.
o Allow the child to speak without interruption,
Accept what is said – it is not your role to investigate or question.
Do not overreact.
o Alleviate feelings of guilt and isolation, while passing no judgement
o Advise that you will try to offer support, but that you must pass the
information on.
Explain what you have to do and whom you have to tell.
o Record the discussion accurately, as soon as possible after the
event,
Use the child’s words or explanations – do not translate into your
own words, in case you have misconstrued what the child was
trying to say.
o Contact one of the Fantasy Wings Designated Persons for advice /
guidance.
The Designated Person may then discuss the concern / suspicion
with the relevant organisation, and, if appropriate, make a direct
referral.
o If either Designated Person is not available, or it is inappropriate to
approach them, the volunteer / member of staff with the concern
should make direct contact with the relevant organisation
themselves
o Record any discussions or actions taken within 24 hours.
FOLLOWING CAREFULLY THE PROCEDURES FOR RECRUITMENT &
SELECTION OF STAFF & VOLUNTEERS
Fantasy Wings operates employment and supervision procedures that ensure
highest priority is given to issues relating to child protection.
From March 2015 each new member of staff will be required to undergo a
police check as part of our recruitment policy
PROVIDING EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT FOR STAFF & VOLUNTEERING
THROUGH SUPERVISION, SUPPORT & TRAINING
Fantasy Wings encourages the development of staff and volunteers through its
on-going support, supervision and training.
o INDUCTION
Each new member of staff or volunteer is made familiar with Fantasy Wings’s
policies and procedures including the Child Protection Policy and
Code of Behaviour
o APPRASIALS
Each new member of staff undergoes 1 month / 3 month and 6 month
appraisals
o MENTORING SCHEMES
Each new member of staff is assigned to a mentor for the duration of 1
year. This provides the new member of staff with opportunities to voice
concerns and anxieties or to ask questions about their work or the
environment in which they are working.
o TRAINING
In Fantasy Wings the management take responsibility for the training
needs of staff and volunteers. The individual, however, also plays a
part in identifying areas they feel they require training in.
There are 3 set training periods per year.
o ANNUAL APPRAISAL
There is an official annual appraisal system for each member of staff.