Ferryhill History Society  Child Protection Policy

The Ferryhill History Society fully recognizes its responsibilities for child protection.

Our policy applies to all staff,. The main elements to our policy:

• Ensuring we practice safe recruitment in checking volunteers to work with children.
• Raising awareness of child protection issues and equiping children with the skills needed to keep them safe.
• Developing and then implementing procedures for identifying and reporting cases, or suspected cases, of abuse.
• Supporting children who have been abused in accordance with his/her agreed child protection plan.
• Establishing a safe environment in which children can learn and develop.

• Establish and maintain an environment where children feel secure, are encouraged to talk, and are listened to.
• Ensure children know that there are adults in the society whom they can approach if they are worried.

We will follow the procedures set out by the Area Child Protection Committee or Local Safeguarding Children Board.

• Ensure we have a nominated member responsible for child protection.
• Ensure every member of staff (including temporary staff and volunteers) and governing body knows the name of the designated senior person responsible for child protection and their role.
• Ensure all staff and volunteers understand their responsibilities in being alert to the signs of abuse and responsibility for referring any concerns to the designated senior person responsible for child protection.
• Develop effective links with relevant agencies and co-operate as required with their enquiries regarding child protection Keep written records of concerns about children, even where there is no need to refer the matter immediately.
• Develop and then follow procedures where an allegation is made against a member of staff or volunteer.
• Ensure safe recruitment practices are always followed.

We recognise that children who are abused or witness violence may find it difficult to develop a sense of self worth. They may feel helplessness, humiliation and some sense of blame..

• The societies ethos which promotes a positive, supportive and secure environment and gives children a sense of being valued.
• The societies behaviour policy which is aimed at supporting vulnerable children in the society.  The society. will ensure that the children know that some behaviour is unacceptable but they are valued and not to be blamed for any abuse which has occurred.
• Liaison with other agencies that support the children such as social services, Child and Adult Mental Health Service, education welfare service and educational psychology service.