Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy 

“ Adele Peters Performing Arts School Ltd”

Last updated August 2022

Adele Peters Performing Arts School (APPAS ) operates www.appas.co.uk. This page informs you of our policies regarding the collection, use and disclosure of Personal information we receive from users of the site and also our class management site Membermeister 

We use your personal information only for the reservation of classes and safeguarding of children in our care whilst learning and communication between us and parents between those times. 

Information, Collection and Use

While using our site we may ask you to provide us with certain personally identifiable information that can be used to contact or identify you. Personally identifiable information may include, but is not limited to your name (“Personal Information”) 

Personal information including name, address, telephone number and any medical needs which relate to student safety will be kept for one year upon leaving APPAS. They will be kept in a secure archived folder. They will then in turn be deleted. 

Personal information will not be shared with any third parties nor sold on. Personal information will be kept in a secured password protected programme which can only be accessed by the directors of APPAS and their trained staff who have access only when needed. 

In relation to Safeguarding, GDPR does not prevent, or limit, the sharing of information for the purposes of keeping children safe. Legal and secure information sharing between schools, children’s social care and other local agencies is essential for keeping children safe and ensuring they get the support they need

SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN

Statement of Purpose

This Safeguarding Children Policy underpins the fact that Adele Peters Performing Arts School (APPAS)  is determined to ensure that all necessary steps are taken to protect the children and young people who take part in classes, from harm.  This policy establishes the responsibilities of APPAS and clarifies what is expected from everybody involved within the individual projects of APPAS and the wider organisation.  It clearly highlights the importance placed by APPAS in the protection of the children and young people who use any of our services.

Every child and young person who participates in the activities of APPAS should be able to participate in an enjoyable and safe environment and be protected from harm and abuse.  This is the responsibility of every adult in the association.  APPAS recognises its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children and young people by protecting them from physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, neglect and bullying.

APPAS will ensure that:-

• The welfare of the child is paramount
• All children, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious beliefs and/or sexual identity, have the right to protection from abuse
• All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded      to swiftly and appropriately
• All  members working within APPAS have a responsibility to report concerns to Adele Peters or Andrew Benn who is the named safeguarding leads for APPAS

Key Principles

APPAS will take responsibility for:-

• Respecting and promoting the rights, wishes and feelings of children and young people
• Recruiting,  training, screening and supervising all volunteers to adopt best practise to safeguard and protect children and young people from abuse
• Inducting, all volunteers to adopt and abide by the appropriate codes of conduct and the Child Protection Policies and Procedures outlined within this document
• Document all members who have read the policy on a separate sheet with signature
• Responding to any allegations appropriately
• Regularly  review the policy

A child is defined as a person under the age of 18 (The Children Act 1989).

Promoting Good Practice

Child abuse, particularly sexual abuse, is a highly emotive situation which can change individuals and affect organisations, but we will not allow emotional conflict to interfere with our judgement about any appropriate action to take.

Abuse can occur within many situations including home, school and the supporting environment.  Some individuals will actively seek employment or voluntary work with young people in order to harm them.  There are some people in this organisation who will have regular contact with young people and be an important link in identifying cases where they need protection.  Any suspicious cases or poor practice should be reported to Adele Peters or Andrew Benn  who is the named safeguarding lead for the organisation and the guidelines in this policy should be followed.

Good Practice means:-

• Always  working in an open environment, where possible, avoiding private or      unobserved situations and encouraging open communication
• Treating  all young people with respect and dignity and with equal concern
• Always putting the welfare of each young person first
• Maintaining  a safe and appropriate distance with service users (e.g. it is not      appropriate for volunteers to have an intimate relationship with a child      or to share a room with them)
• Building  balanced relationships based on mutual trust and empowering children to  share in decision making
• Make  sure any new members have read this policy and signed a form to confirm it
• Involving children/young people/carers wherever possible
• Being an excellent role model – this includes not using any foul language,      smoking or drinking alcohol in the company of young people
• Giving  enthusiastic and constructive feedback rather than negative criticism
• Recognising  the developmental needs and capacity of young people
• If  and where appropriate securing parental consent (in writing) to act in      loco parentis, if the need ever arises to administer emergency first aid      and/or other medical treatment
• Keeping  a written record of any injury that occurs, along with the details of any      treatment given
• Requesting  written parental consent if APPAS members are required to transport young  people in vehicles for whatever reason (members must have a valid driving  licence and adequate insurance).
• Requesting  written parental consent for APPAS to take part in activities the taking  off photographs, video footage of children engaging in APPAS projects/activities for the purpose of publicity material.  This can also be done as a one off request for all activities when  children attend activities.

Named person for child protection

If you are concerned about a child, the named contact for APPAS or Andrew Benn or Adele Peters  if unavailable.

What should you do if a young person reports abuse to you:-

If someone discloses that they are being abused, whether in the home or another setting, you should:-

• React  calmly
• Reassure  the child that they were right to tell you, and they are not to blame
• Take  what the child says seriously
• Keep questions to an absolute minimum to ensure a clear and accurate      understanding of what has been said.  Don’t ask about explicit details
• Reassure  but do not promise confidentiality, which might not be feasible in the      light of any subsequent developments
• Inform  the child/young person what you will do next
• Make  a full and written record of what has been said/heard as soon as possible      and don’t delay in passing on the information to Andrew Benn or Adele      Peters if unavailable

The report will include the following:-

• The  child’s name, age and date of birth
• The  child’s home address and telephone number
• Whether  or not the person making the report is expressing their own concerns or  those of someone else
• The  nature of the allegation, including dates, times and special factors, plus      any other relevant information
• Make  a clear distinction between what is fact, opinion or hearsay
• A  description of any visible bruising or other injuries.  Also any indirect signs, such as behavioural changes
• Details of witnesses to the incidents
• The  child’s account, if it can be given, of what has happened and how any of      their bruising or other injuries occurred
• Have the parents been contacted?
• If  so what has been said?
• Has anyone else been consulted?  If so, record details
• Where  possible a referral to the police or social services should be confirmed      in writing within 24 hours and the name of the contact who took the referral should be recorded

If there are concerns about sharing the above information with a colleague you can contact Aylesbury police.

What APPAS will do next?

It is not the responsibility of APPAS to decide whether abuse has taken place or not, however we will pass on the information to the appropriate authority.

We will write down all of the information so that if we are asked at a later time we can produce a written report.

We will report severe and obvious cases of abuse immediately.

Services for Children and Young People and Children’s Social Care, have a statutory duty under The Children Act of 1989 to ensure the welfare of a child.  When a child protection referral is made, they have a legal responsibility to investigate, and all agencies have a duty to co-operate with those investigations.  This may involve talking to the child and their family and gathering information from other people who know the child.  Enquiries may be carried out jointly with the police.  Any concern must not be taken lightly.

The protection of children is paramount and if we have any concerns about a child being abused or neglected we will contact:-

Aylesbury Police

Types of Abuse and Neglect

Signs/indicators of abuse and neglect are helpful if they are used with some caution.  They are not necessarily evidence of abuse or neglect.  However, if you are concerned about a child or young person, they can help you think about why you have that concern.

Signs that may suggest physical abuse:

• Any  bruising to a baby – pre-walking stage
• Multiple  bruising to different parts of the body
• Bruising  of different colours indicating repeated injuries
• Fingertip  bruising to the chest, back, arms or legs
• Burns  of any shape or size
• An   injury for which there is no adequate explanation

Signs of possible sexual abuse:

• Something  a child has told you
• Something  that a child has told someone else
• A child who shows sexualised behaviour in their play or with other children
• A  child who seems to have inappropriate sexual knowledge for their age
• A  child who may be visiting or being looked after by a known or suspected      sexual offender

Signs which may suggest emotional harm:

The following signs may be present in children whose parents are over-critical and emotionally distant, or who are unable to meet their child’s emotional needs:-

• Children  whose behaviour is excessive.  For example, excessive bedwetting, overeating, rocking, head banging.
• Children  who self-harm.  For example, they may cut or scratch themselves or      overdose
• Children  who attempt suicide
• Children  who persistently run away from home
• Children who show high levels of anxiety, unhappiness, or withdrawal
• Children  who usually seek out or avoid affection

Signs which may suggest neglect:

• Squalid,  unhygienic, or dangerous home conditions
• Parents  who fail to attend to their children’s health or development needs
• Children  who appear persistently undersized, or underweight
• Children  who continually appear tired, or lacking in energy
• Children  who suffer frequent injuries due to lack of supervision

Please note that these lists are possible indicators of abuse, any signs of abuse must be considered in context.

Positive ways of protecting children

What do children need?

• To feel safe and secure
• Health  and happiness
• Appropriate affection
• Lots  of smiles
• Praise  and encouragement
• To  be able to talk to someone
• To be listened to
• New  experiences
• Respect  for their feelings
• Rewards  and treats

What to do if you are worried

If you are unsure that a child may be suffering but are worried, please contact Aylesbury Police

If you are concerned that a child has suffered harm, neglect or abuse, please contact Aylesbury Police