The Meadows Festival Association is fully committed to promoting children’s rights, notably their right to be protected from harm, abuse and exploitation and to be involved in any decisions that directly affect them. The Meadows Festival Association has a duty of care to implement effective policies and procedures for safeguarding the welfare of children and young people. In order to achieve this we will ensure our Committee Members and Volunteers are carefully selected, screened, trained and supervised. We are holding a public, open access event, so cannot be responsible for everyone. We can ensure, however, that no child will come to any harm whatsoever at this event as a result of contact with, association with or neglect from any one associated with the Meadows Festival, be they volunteers, paid employees or contracted workers. The Meadows Festival Asociation will follow the following code of conduct as outlined in PoCSA module 5.
Code of Conduct of Meadows Festival Association
Meadows Festival Association volunteers, paid employees and contracted workers will:
>play their part in helping to develop an ethos where all people matter and are treated equally, and with respect and dignity.
>always put the care, welfare and safety needs of a child first.
>respect a child’s right to be involved in making choices and decisions which directly affect them.
>listen attentively to any ideas and views a child wants to share with them.
>respect a child’s culture (for example their faith and religious beliefs).
>respect a child’s right to privacy and personal space.
>respond sensitively to children who seem anxious about participating in certain activities.
>speak to their line manager immediately if they suspect that a child is experiencing bullying or harassment.
>be aware of the vulnerability of some groups of children to being isolated and hurt (for example, children with disabilities and learning difficulties; children from Gypsy & Traveller communities; Black & Minority Ethnic children).
>ensure that when they are working with children they are at least within sight or hearing of other adults.
>listen carefully to any child who ‘tells you’ (sometimes through drawings and behaviour as well as words) that they are being harmed and report what they have discovered immediately to their line manager.
>report immediately any suspicion that a child could be at risk of harm or abuse.
>never dismiss what a child tells them as ‘lies’ or exaggeration.
>only restrain a child who is at imminent risk of inflicting harm to themselves or others or is at risk of damaging property.
>never underestimate the contribution that they can make to the development of safe communities for children.
Meadows Festival Association volunteers, paid employees and contracted workers will not
>exaggerate or trivialise another worker’s concerns about a child or ignore an allegation or suspicion of abuse in the hope that it will either ‘go away’ or that ‘someone else will deal with it’.
>discuss personal issues about a child or their family with anyone other than their line manager if they are concerned about the child’s well being.
>be drawn into any derogatory remarks or gestures in front of children or young persons.
>allow a child, young person or adult to be bullied or harmed by anyone in the organisation.
>allow children to swear or use sexualised language unchallenged.
Meadows Festival Association volunteers, paid employees and contracted workers will never
never engage in sexually provocative games, including horseplay.
never allow others or themselves to touch a child in any way, particularly in a sexually provocative manner. Where any activity, such as face painting, requires contact we will ensure that there is always another MFA adult present. Where any injury has occurred requiring medical attention, the child will be immediately placed in the care of the Ambulance Association in attendance.
never make sexually suggestive comments to a child, even in fun.
never engage in rough or physical contact unless it is permitted within the rules of a game or sports activity or conforms to the guidance on appropriate physical restraint.
never form inappropriate emotional or physical relationships with children.
never harass or intimidate a child or worker because of their age, ‘race’, gender, sexual orientation, religious belief, socio-economic class or disability.
never invite or allow children to stay with them at their home
The policy of the Meadows Festival Association , therefore, will be that all Committee Members and Volunteers, who meet the criteria for a disclosure, will complete an Application for Enhanced Disclosure to be submitted to the Central Registered Body in Scotland. Anyone who is Disqualified from Working with Children will be barred from Committee Membership or any Volunteer or Paid Position. Disclosure Applications will be reviewed annually.
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