Slough Arts Festival
Affiliated to the
British and International Federation of Festivals
Charity Reg. No: 1033664
Child Protection Policy
Teachers -
Please Read
1. Purpose of the Association
The object of the association shall be to advance the education of the public in the Arts, and in particular the Arts of Music, Speech and Drama, Dance, Fine Arts and Handicrafts and Creative Writing in all their branches.
2. The Festival Environment
The festival is run by volunteers and therefore may not be able to, but will endeavour to, provide complete supervision of all young people and vulnerable adults at all times. It is the policy of the association to communicate this fact to the parents/guardians/carers and teachers, of all such persons participating, and seek the cooperation and participation of all parents and guardians in ensuring the safety of young persons and vulnerable adults attending any aspect of the festival.
3. The policy relates to children under the age of 18 and those vulnerable adults of any age who are identified to the organisers prior to their arrival at the festival. This should be done by contacting the festival secretary at our office by either telephone or letter. The festival recognises that there may be special needs for disabled young people or young people from ethnic minority groups. Any such needs should be communicated to the festival organisers in advance by parents/guardians, carers and or teachers, so that festival organisers can actively seek to meet those needs.
* The Fine Arts and Handicrafts and Photography sections do not involve attendance at the festival. However, where children wish to visit either of these exhibitions parents should take the same care for their child as they would if he or she were attending any public venue.
4. Festival Personnel
Most of the voluntary personnel have been working with the festival for many years and are well known and trusted. We will keep a register of such persons. The festival is well aware of the dangers of involving unknown volunteers. When new volunteers come forward we will check their details and experience and ask them to provide two referees. Where the task they are volunteering for has been assessed as needing a CRB Check, they will be required to take one before they join us.
5. Preparation for attendance at the festival
When applications are received for entry forms the parents/teachers/guardians will be made aware of this policy. It is essential that parents etc. know that they remain responsible for the safety and welfare of their child during their attendance at the festival.
Where a parent cannot personally attend the festival, this policy requires them to be satisfied that their child be accompanied to the festival and adequately supervised by a responsible adult acting on their behalf.
Parents entering their own child/children will be sent a copy of this policy with entry forms. Where a group of children is involved a letter will be sent to the group organiser/teacher with sufficient forms for the parents of all children to sign.
6. Changing rooms and performance areas
Every endeavour will be made by the organisers to ensure the safety of young persons in these areas. The festival is, however, staffed by volunteers and we will do our best to ensure that these areas are supervised at all times.
7. Photographs, video tapes and Press Photography
No photography or video recording is allowed during any performance for adjudication. Any photographs, including press photography, of young persons after their performance must only take place with the express permission of the parent or responsible person.
8. Photography and video recording at final concert and awards ceremony.
Parents will naturally wish to take photographs of their child receiving their awards. Parents carrying out such activities must check with other parents that they are happy for their children to be photographed.
9. Legislation
This policy is supported by The Children’s Act 1989; The police Act 1997; The Data Protection Act 1999; The Criminal Justice Act and Court Services Act 2000
10. Policy Review:
The festival organisers will constantly review their policy, improving and enhancing it as necessary. In doing this they will look to the British Federation of Festivals for the support of that body, which then in turn will look at other agencies for good practice, most notably the NSPCC and the Arts Council of England for policy guidelines.