Child Safeguarding Policy

Art 4 Youth Norwich art school fully recognises its responsibilities for child protection.

Our policy applies to all staff, visiting artists and volunteers working for Art 4 Youth Norwich art school. There are four main elements to our policy:

Ensuring we practice safe recruitment in checking the suitability of staff and volunteers to work with children.
Raising awareness of child protection issues.
Developing and then implementing procedures for identifying and reporting cases, or suspected cases, of abuse.
Establishing a safe environment in which children can learn and develop.

We recognise that because of the day to day contact with children, Art 4 Youth Norwich art school staff may observe the outward signs of abuse. This art school will therefore:

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 school whom they can approach if they are worried.

We will follow the procedures set out by the Norfolk Area Child Protection Committee or Norfolk Safeguarding Children Board and take account of guidance issued by the Department for Education and Skills to:

Ensure we have a designated senior person for child protection who has received appropriate training and support for this role.
Ensure every member of staff (including visiting artists and volunteers) 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.
Ensure that parents have an understanding of the responsibility placed on the Art 4 Youth Norwich art school and staff for child protection by drawing there attention to this document when enrolling their children on our art courses.
Develop effective links with relevant agencies and co-operate as required with their enquiries regarding child protection matters..
Keep written records of concerns about children, even where there is no need to refer the matter immediately.
Ensure all records are kept securely; in locked locations.
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. If their behaviour is challenging, defiant or maybe withdrawn, the school will endeavour to support the pupil through:

The content of the art classes.
Our ethos which promotes a positive, supportive and secure environment and gives pupils a sense of being valued.
The Art 4 Youth Norwich art school behavior policy which is aimed at supporting vulnerable pupils in the school. The school will ensure that the pupil knows that some behavior is unacceptable but they are valued and not to be blamed for any abuse which has occurred.
Liaison with other agencies that support the pupil such as social services, Child and Adult Mental Health Service, education welfare service and educational psychology service.

Art 4 Youth CIC

Norwich art school

Signed 1 December, 2016

Last reviewed: 1 June 2023