Introduction
There are important implications of having children and young people on University premises: there are issues relating to health and safety, negligence, consent and data protection, and child protection. The law protects those under 18 in different ways depending on the age of the children and young people involved, but all present risks to the University.
Children and young people may visit University premises for a variety of purposes: for open days, attendance at summer schools, as part of initiatives to generate early interest in Higher Education, accompanying adult visitors, or as trespassers. There are students on University programmes who are under 18 for a period of their registration. Researchers in various disciplines may wish to involve children and young people in their research, and funding for research involving children and young people may be dependent on having in place procedures for checking staff, a child protection policy and ethical approval.
This document draws together the major policy statements relating to those under the age of 18 years who have a connection with the University. Use has also been made to Department of Health publication Working together to safeguard children; a guide to inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, together with advice issued by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DfCSF).
The intention is that this becomes a working document, and provides advice and support for those who are engaged in programmes and activities with children and young people. The document is divided into sections for ease of access, and there is a summary of the contents.
It is difficult to predict future developments in this area. Currently, there is a climate of increased awareness in relation to child protection. It is possible that the Government’s agenda of widening participation will mean that the University will increasingly have participants who are under 18 and will accordingly need to ensure that members of staff are aware of, and adequately trained in, the relevant areas.
Robert Melville
Assistant University Secretary
Document History
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Version 1.0 |
First Edition |
11 July 2004 |
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Version 1.1 |
Second Edition |
30 April 2005 |
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Version 1.2 |
Third Edition |
27 July 2005 |
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Version 1.3 |
Fourth Edition |
12 January 2006 |
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Version 1.4 |
Fifth Edition |
8 September 2006 |
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Version 1.5 |
Sixth Edition |
25 November 2009 |
