Exeter Young Strings’ Child and vulnerable adult protection policy

We are committed to practices that protect children from harm. Staff and volunteers in our organisation recognise and accept our responsibilities to develop the awareness of the issues that may cause children harm.

For the purposes of these policies and procedure children are any person under the age of 18 years, or those whom are considered vulnerable.

Exeter Young Strings fully recognises its responsibilities for child protection.

The person to whom all child/vulnerable adults protection concerns should be reported is Kirsty Hugill.

Our policy applies to all staff and volunteers.

We will endeavour to safeguard children by: -

  • Adopting child protection policies and guidelines through a code of behaviour for staff and volunteers.
  • Ensuring we practice safe recruitment. It as a requirement that all staff and volunteers are CRB checked through Enhanced Disclosure.
  • Raising awareness of child protection issues. Making all new staff and volunteers aware of our child protection procedures and policies.
  • Developing and then implementing procedures for identifying and reporting cases, or suspected cases, of abuse.
  • Sharing information about concerns with agencies who need to know, and involving parents and children appropriately.
  • Supporting children who have been abused in accordance with his/her agreed child protection plan.
  • Establishing a safe environment in which children can learn and develop.
  • We are also committed to reviewing our policy and good practice at regular intervals.

Policy Statement to all staff / volunteers.

  • You have a duty to care for and protect all children.
  • Children have rights.
  • A policy cannot give guidance for every situation.
  • Your judgement remains critical at all times.
  • A policy does not limit the right of children to seek justice through the courts.
  • A policy framework cannot protect you from allegations.

You must not:

1. It is not good practice to take children alone in a car, however short the journey. Where this is unavoidable, it should be with the full knowledge and consent of the parents (or guardians).

2. Staff and volunteers should not meet children outside of organised activities, unless it is with the knowledge and consent of the parents.

3. Staff and volunteers should not start an investigation or question anyone after an allegation or concern has been raised. This is the job of the authorities. You should just record the facts and report these to a designated person.

4. Staff and volunteers should never (even in fun) –
a. Initiate or engage in sexually provocative conversations or activity.
b. Allow the use of inappropriate language to go unchallenged.
c. Do things of a personal nature for children that they can do themselves.
d. Allow any allegations made by a child go without being reported and addressed, or either trivialise or exaggerate child abuse issues.
e. Make promises to keep any disclosure confidential from relevant authorities.

5. Staff or volunteers should not show favouritism to any one child, nor should they issue or threaten any form of physical punishment.

You must:

1. Staff and volunteers must respect children’s rights to privacy and encourage children and adults to feel comfortable enough to report attitudes or behaviour they do not like.

2. Staff and volunteers will be expected to act with discretion with regards to their personal relationships. They should ensure their personal relationships do not affect their role within the organisation. All pre-existing relationships between staff/volunteers must be declared.

3. All staff and volunteers should be aware of the procedures for reporting concerns or incidents, and should familiarise themselves with the contact details of the designated person.

4. If a member of staff or volunteer finds himself or herself the subject of inappropriate affection or attention from a child, they should make others aware of this.

5. If a member of staff or volunteer has any concerns relating to the welfare of a child in their care, be it concerns about actions/behaviours of another staff member or volunteer or concerns based on any conversation with the child; particularly where the child makes an allegation, they should report this
to a designated person.

6. If you are told something by the child/vulnerable adult
- Listen
- Do not directly question
- Do not stop the free flowing account
- Make note and include time and place
- Record all subsequent events

Unless you think it inappropriate tell the child you will be telling someone who can make things different.
Share your concerns with the designated person and other staff/volunteers who have contact with the child.
After discussing with other staff, whether they agree or not, if you feel the situation unresolved and needs further investigation report to social services.

7.  Keep written records of any concerns about children in a secure place separate from the main pupil file.

8.  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.

Children’s Rights

All children have needs and rights:

  • The need for physical care and attention
  • The need for intellectual stimulation
  • The need for emotional love and security
  • The need for social contact and relationships
  • The right to have their needs met and safeguarded
  • The right to be protected from neglect, abuse and exploitation
  • The right to be protected from discrimination
  • The right to be treated as an individual

What to do in case of disclosure by a child

  • Stay calm
  • Listen, hear and believe
  • Give time to the person to say what they want
  • Reassure & explain that they have done the right thing in telling. Explain that only those professionals who need to know will be informed
  • Act immediately in accordance with the procedure in this policy
  • Record in writing as near as verbatim as possible what was said as soon as possible
  • Report to the lead member of staff
  • Record your report

What NOT to do in case of disclosure by a child

  • Don’t panic. Don’t over-react. It is extremely unlikely that the participant is in immediate danger.
  • Don’t probe for more information. Questioning the participant may affect how the participant’s disclosure is received at a later date.
  • Don’t make assumptions, don’t paraphrase and don’t offer alternative explanations.
  • Don’t promise confidentiality to keep secrets or that everything will be OK (it might not)
  • Don’t try to deal with it yourself
  • Don’t make negative comments about the alleged abuser
  • Don’t ‘gossip’ with colleagues about what has been said to you
  • Don’t make a child repeat a story unnecessarily


One final point to consider. If you feel that a matter is not being adequately dealt with by the designated person and you feel it necessary do not hesitate to contact social services directly.

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