This policy applies to all staff, volunteers, artists and creative facilitators including anyone working on behalf of Nott Normal. The purpose of this policy is:

• To protect children, young people and vulnerable adults who receive Nott Normal services and support. This includes the children of adults who use our services;
• To provide anyone working with Nott Normal with the overarching principles that guide our approach to safeguarding.

Nott Normal believes no child or young person should ever have to experience abuse of any kind. Likewise, we believe no one should suffer abuse of any kind because disability, special needs, gender or ethnicity. We embrace our responsibility to promote the welfare of children, young people and adults vulnerable to abuse. We are committed to practice in a way that protects them.

Legal Framework: This policy has been drawn up on the basis of law and guidance that seeks to protect children, namely:

Children Act 1989; United Convention of the Right of the Child 1991; Data Protection Act 1998;

Sexual Offences Act 2003; Children Act 2004; Equality Act 2010; Protection of Freedoms Act 2012

 

We recognise that:

• The Welfare of the child is paramount, as displayed in the Children Act 1989
• Some children and adults are especially vulnerable due to the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, their communication needs or other issues such as health / extra access needs
• All children and at-risk adults regardless of their age, disability, gender, ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or identity, have the right to equal protection from harm
• Working in partnership with young people, their parents, at-risk adults, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting the welfare of those we need to protect.

 

We’ll aim to keep them safe by:

• Valuing them, listening to them and respecting them as individuals
• Implementing thorough procedures and a code of practice for staff and volunteers which adopts child protection and equality protection best practices
• Developing and implementing an effective e-safety policy
• Providing effective facilitation, supervision, mentoring, support and training
• Ensuring all necessary checks are completed
• Sharing information about child protection, equality and good practice with children, parents, carers and support workers, at-risk adults, staff and volunteers
• Sharing concerns with relevant agencies, involving parents, carers and children etc. appropriately
• Informing all visitors of Nott Normal of policies and safeguarding expectations. We are committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually: This policy was last reviewed on: June 2019 by the co-founders.