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Child Protection & Vulnerable People Policy

Young Voices (UK) Ltd. and Young Voices International Ltd. (henceforth referred to as Young Voices) carry out activities that bring employees and people working on behalf of the organisation into regular contact with children. In line with the Children Act of 1989/2004, Young Voices is committed to creating and maintaining the safest possible environment for children as their welfare is paramount and all reasonable steps must be taken to prevent them from harm.

This Policy relates to any situation involving children and young people up to age 18, whether or not accompanied by adults. Young Voices also recognizes that vulnerable people of any age will benefit from similar safeguards. Whenever the guidelines refer to children, this broader meaning applies.

All children and young people, whatever their age, race, ethnic origin, nationality, language, culture, religious beliefs, social class, disability, gender, and/or sexual identity/orientation have a right to protection from abuse. This Policy is also in accordance with the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 and amended by the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012.

This Policy indicates the way in which we deal with such activities and it applies to everyone working with us including any members of staff (including trustees, freelancers and agency workers) or volunteers whose duties at Young Voices brings them into contact with children. While primarily intended to safeguard children, this policy is also meant to protect staff and volunteers who are working with us from any false allegation of improper conduct.

All partner organisations that work with Young Voices are required to have adequate protection policies and procedures in place and must adhere to them. However, our Code of Conduct must be followed at all times and any concerns about the implementation of the partner organisation’s protection policies and procedures should be raised with the Child Protection Officer at Young Voices.

Terminology

The following terminology is used throughout this policy:

  • Abuse: is the violation of an individual’s civil and human rights. Abuse and neglect are forms of maltreatment and can be a single act or repeated acts. There are different types of abuse - physical, emotional, sexual, financial, and neglect - and can include withholding the necessities of life such as food or toilets.
  • Activities: refers to Young Voices’ programme of activities available for young people. This primarily refers to the concerts.
  • Regulated Activity: includes work (paid or unpaid) that takes place frequently (once a week or more) or intensively (four times or more in a 30-day period) or in some cases overnight;
  • Child Protection Officer: is the person within Young Voices who takes the responsibility for the monitoring and reporting of issues relating to the protection of children.
  • Employee/Staff: for the purposes of this policy refers to any trustee, freelancer, independent contractor, agency worker, or supplier engaged by Young Voices.
  • Young person/people: is used and should be understood as referring to children and young people under 18 years old.
  • Vulnerable adult: is used and should be understood as a person who is or may be in need of community care services by reason of disability, age or illness; and is or may be unable to take care of/unable to protect themselves against significant harm or exploitation. This definition of adult covers all people over 18 years of age.