Summary of Contents
The Children Act 1989 defines a 'child' as a person under the age of 18. The Management of Health and Safety Regulations 1999 regard a 'child' as a person who is not over the minimum school leaving age and a 'young person' as a person who has not attained the age of 18. For the purpose of this document, a 'child' is under 16 and a 'young person' is over 16 but under 18. Both children and young people are included in this document.
Section 1 University Child Protection Policy
Section 2 Child Protection Code of Practice
Section 3 Child Protection - Guidelines for Staff and
Volunteers
Section 4 Health and Safety
Section 5 Insurance
Section 6 Organising Formal Activities for Children
Section 7 Criminal Records Bureau
Section 8 Work Experience
Section 9 Employment of Children and Young People at
University
Section 10 Contacts
Section 11 Complaints
Section 12 Research Participation
Section 13 Guidance
Section 14 Photographs
Section 1 University Child Protection Policy
This section sets out the University’s commitment to ensuring the safety of children and young people, and outlines the responsibilities of those who work with children and young people. The Policy is as much for an external audience as for staff and volunteers.
Heads of department are to make this section available to all staff and volunteers working with children and young people, and particularly directors of programmes and activities.
It is the responsibility of directors of programmes and activities to ensure that all staff and volunteers understand the Child Protection Policy in advance of the commencement of the programme or activity.
A copy of the Child Protection Policy should be given on request to any parent, guardian, carer, sponsor or partner institution.
Section 2 Child Protection Code of Practice
This section supplements the University Child Protection Policy, by setting out operational matters of concern to all staff and volunteers.
Heads of department are to make this section available to all staff and volunteers working with children and young people and, in particular, directors of relevant programmes and activities.
It is the responsibility of directors of programmes and activities to ensure that all staff and volunteers understand the Code of Practice in advance of the commencement of the programme or activity.
Where necessary or appropriate, directors of programmes and activities may supplement this Code of Practice by a statement specific to the programme or activity. Any supplementary statement is to be compatible with the University Code of Practice.
Section 3 Child Protection - Guidelines for Staff and Volunteers
This section sets out guidelines for staff and volunteers on the importance of taking steps to avoid any allegations of child abuse and the required action in the event that there are any allegations.
Directors of programmes and activities are to make this section available to all staff and volunteers working with children and young people, and to ensure that all staff and volunteers understand the Guidelines in advance of the commencement of the programme or activity.
This section sets out the health and safety issues relating to programmes and activities for under 18s, in particular relating to duty of care, risk assessments, basic safety precautions, accidents, fire safety, activities away from University sites and medication.
Directors of programmes and activities are to ensure that
(a) this section is made available to all staff and volunteers working with children and young people on the programme or activity;
(b) all staff and volunteers understand the requirements relating to health and safety in advance of the commencement of the programme or activity;
(c) all risk assessments are properly completed, recorded, discussed with relevant staff and volunteers, and stored; and
(d) there are arrangements in place for recording, investigation and reporting all accidents, incidents and near misses.
This section sets out the requirements relating to insurance for programme and activities for those under the age of 18 years.
The section is relevant to heads of department and directors of programmes and activities. Where it is necessary, this section needs making available to relevant staff and volunteers.
It is the responsibility of directors of programmes and activities to ensure that
(a) appropriate insurance arrangements are in place in advance of the commencement of the activity.
(b) all staff and volunteers understand the requirements relating to insurance in advance of the commencement of the programme or activity.
Section 6 Organizing Formal Activities for Children and Young People at the University: A Guide for Directors of Programmes and Activities
This section sets out the main issues of a practical nature that need consideration when organizing a programme or activity. The practical arrangements will differ. The purpose of the advice is to prompt those concerned with planning and organization to consider the range of relevant issues.
The section is relevant to heads of department and directors of programmes and activities. Where it is necessary, this section needs bringing to the attention of relevant staff and volunteers.
Section 7 Criminal Records Bureau and Independent Safeguarding Authority
This section sets out arrangement for obtaining a disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau.
There is an outline of the requirements in relation to the Independent Safeguarding Authority.
It is of relevance for those responsible for the engagement of staff and volunteers for programmes and activities for children and young people.
Section 8 Work Experience for Children and Young People at the University
This section sets out the requirements relating to work experience for people under the age of 18 years.
It is of relevance for those members of staff arranging work experience.
Section 9 Employment of Children and Young People at the University
This section sets out the requirements relating to the employment of people under the age of 18 years.
It is of relevance for those members of staff arranging such employment.
Section 10 Contracts with Children and Young People
This section sets out information relating to contracts with children and young people.
It is of relevance to those members of staff responsible for the contracting of services to children and young people.
Section 11 Complaints made by Children and Young People, Including Students under the Age of 18
This section sets out the arrangements should a child or young person wish to make a complaint.
The procedure follows the University complaints procedure for students, with the exception that account needs taking of the parent, guardian or carer.
The section is of relevance to directors of programmes and activities.
Section 12 Children and Young People as Research Participants
This section identifies a number of issues relating to children and young people as research participants.
It is essential for those engaging in research to comply with the requirements of the University Research Ethics Policy relating to children and people.
Section 13 Guidance Relating to Children and Young People on University Site other than for University Programmes and Activities
This section sets out the policy of the University relating to children and young person on University sites, other than for programmes and activities specifically organised for them.
Section 14 Photographs, Videos, Websites and Webcams
This section sets out the policy of the University relating to the use of photographic images of children and young person on all University related activities.
The section is relevant to heads of department and directors of programmes and activities. Where it is necessary, this section needs making available to relevant staff and volunteers.
