Red Academy Child Protection in association with the I.S.T.D
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The ISTD has also introduced a Child Protection policy, with associated Good Practice Guidelines, in the light of the difficulties in law which would arise both for the Society and for members if a problem arose and due consideration had not been given to the risks involved.
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As part of the policy, as well as ISTD employees, members who are in contact with children and vulnerable persons are expected to operate procedures particularly on employment, data protection, procedures at events and photography.
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Red Academy has procedures in place so that any allegation or complaints of abuse are taken seriously and investigated, which includes informing the trustees of the complaint. They have the power to suspend the individual against whom the complaint has been made from employment or membership until the investigation is complete and a decision on the action to be taken has been made.
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In addition, each member should keep a list of any person in their school, or associated with it, who may have access at any time to records about children, or who may be helping with activities which may bring them into a supervisory contact with children using their facilities, or Red Academy’s facilities, services or activities, whether paid or voluntary. All those on the list should be asked to undergo a disclosure check by the Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) to ascertain their suitability to supervise, protect and safeguard the welfare of children. Red Academy operate a scheme for members to obtain DBS Disclosures through Due Diligence Checking, and full details of the scheme are given at the end of this section. The full policy is as follows:
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Children and Vulnerable Persons Protection Policy
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1. Red Academy and all its members are aware that children under 18 and vulnerable persons of any age can be involved in their activities and that they have a responsibility, within the limits of their control and jurisdiction, to protect and safeguard the welfare of every such child and vulnerable person.
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2. It is the policy of Red Academy that all children and vulnerable persons have the right to protection from abuse.
All trustees, employees and members who are in contact with such children and vulnerable persons are expected to be familiar with and to apply the procedures on:
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• Employment including temporary/sub-contracted staff, and examiners • Data protection, especially in regard to children

• Procedures at Red Academy events, competitions, and courses

• Procedures for examiners
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• Photography and video recording
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The Principal will ensure that the following procedures are in place so that any allegation(s) or complaints of abuse are taken seriously and investigated.
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3. Any complaint or incident to be reported under this policy should be reported in the first instance to the person in charge of the event or activity indicating that an abuse of a child or vulnerable person’s welfare may have taken place. If the person in charge is the person against whom the complaint is being made, the matter should be referred to the local authorities.
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4. On receipt of a complaint the Principal will convene, as soon as possible, a committee of three trustees to hear and investigate the complaint. All parties to the complaint will have the right to be heard, including the parents or legal guardian(s) of the child or vulnerable person concerned.
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5. The trustees will be informed of the complaint and have the power to suspend the individual(s) against whom the complaint has been made from employment or membership until the investigation is complete and a decision on the action to be taken has been made.
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6. Red Academy has a person who is appointed as a Child Protection officer to advise on procedures to ensure Red Academy and its members are aware of their responsibilities, and is responsible for liaising with its Umbrella Body on DBS Disclosures. In co-operation with the Chief Executive the Child Protection Officer will keep and update a list (the List) of all employees and each member will likewise keep a list of any other person who, from time to time, may have access to records about children, or who may be helping with activities which may bring them into a supervisory contact with children using their facilities or the Red Academy’s, services or activities, whether paid or voluntary.
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7. All persons noted in the List will be asked to undergo a disclosure check by the Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) to ascertain their suitability to supervise, protect and safeguard the welfare of children using Red Academy facilities.
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8. A copy of this policy document and guidelines on good practice will be given to all persons noted in the List. The Principal will ensure that the policy and its implementation will be kept under review. The final status of the DBS check will be will be reported direct to the Principal and be held securely in confidence.
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Child Protection – Good Practice Guidelines
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The following are common sense examples of how to create a positive culture and climate: Good practice
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• Always work in an open environment (e.g. avoid private unobserved situations and encourage open communication with no secrets).

• Treat all children equally and with respect and dignity.

• Always put the welfare of each child first.
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Practices to be avoided

• Avoid spending time alone with children away from others save in essential one to one situations when extreme care should be exercised.
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Practices never to be sanctioned
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• Allowing or engaging in horseplay, physical or sexually provocative games.

• Allowing or engaging in any form of inappropriate touching.

• Making sexually suggestive comments to a child or young person, even in fun. • Reducing a child to tears as a form of control.

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• Failing to act on and record any allegations made by a child.
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Incidents that must be reported/recorded
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If any of the following occur during or in the context of a Red Academy event or activity, it should immediately be reported to the designated Child Protection Officer:
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• If you accidentally hurt a child.

• If a child appears to be sexually aroused by your actions.

• If a child misunderstands or misinterprets something you have done.

• If a child is unusually distressed and you have any suspicions of or concerns about potential abuse.
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This policy has been agreed by the Red Academy Council of Management, is reviewed on a regular basis, and any amendments other than to contact details, have been confirmed by them.