Child protection Policy

Reviewed  16/05/2022

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Child protection policy is relevant to:

Parents/legal guardians 

Director

Safeguarding Officer 

Approved Chaperones 

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Purpose

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Crown & Glory Pageant operates a strict child protection policy to ensure the safety of all our contestants. 

Every young person and child must be protected in a safe and secure environment in events they are taking part in. We want to ensure all parents/legal guardians and children are confident that those in charge of the event and their safety are trustworthy and will do everything in their power to ensure they are safe from injury, neglect or harm.

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Crown & Glory Pageants have their safeguarding policy in place to not only protect the children under 18 years old involved but also for the sake of their parents/guardians, to ensure they are not put in any position where harm or abuse may be alleged and to ensure all parents/guardians know exactly what it is they must do, should they suspect or witness harm taking place.  Crown & Glory believe they must not only protect the children and under 18 year olds involved in the competition but to also safeguard, therefore we as a team know we must take action immediately should we suspect or know of any harm or risk of harm. 

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It is important for all to have read this policy carefully and contact Hannah Tordoff Director or Hannah Travers Safeguarding officer should you have any questions or concerns. 

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The Crown & Glory Team believe listening to contestants and children is paramount, with the children being forefront of priority in protecting. 

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Parents/Legal Guardians will be made aware when the enter their child into Crown & Glory of our child protection policy as well as being e-mailed about any changes/updates that may happen.  Parents/Legal Guardians will also be informed at the event of the policy and asked to re-read and sign to say that they understand and agree on the day. 

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Our Approved Chaperons will know how the event will work and all our staff will know the child safeguarding policy. 

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This policy covers children/young person under the age of 18 years old. 

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The event is fully insured and the premises is licensed.

We do not save information regarding our under 18 contestants and any contestants applied who does not need to continue contact with, information will be deleted. 

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All contestants will be asked to leave the venue with parent/guardian during the day. 

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Values for safeguarding children/young person and adults

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All children, young person and adults are entitled to have the right to a safe, secure and caring environment when competing in Crown & Glory Pageant with the needs of the young person/child being paramount working to the policy of the safeguarding board in West & Cheshire council. 

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The primary care of directors, chaperones and parents are to protect all young person/child under 18 years old from significant harm. The responsibility of safeguarding young person/child is shared across the team & parents to ensure they are effectively protected. 

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Crown & Glory has a responsibility to promote non-abusive relationships, to create an anti-abusive safe environment and to inform organisations we work with and the parents/guardians as appropriate and has a duty to follow up any safeguarding concerns and to report any suspected or witnessed cases of harm and when disclosed. 

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Preventing opportunities for harm of children/young person

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Crown & Glory Pageant will ensure practice of safe recruitment with chaperones being local council approved with enhanced DBS checks and parents being suitable to attend with their child/young person.

 

Developing and implementing procedures for identifying and reporting cases or suspected cases of harm. 

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Ensuring the safeguarding policy is easy accessible to all.

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Ensuring an appropriate level 3 safeguarding officer is appointed to be the person with whom safeguarding concerns are to be discussed with initially.

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Supervision of parents and directors

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Crown & Glory Pageant director Hannah Tordoff will ensure a Body of Persons application has been made to the appropriate council in which the competition is to be held with an application being sent to the disclosure and barring service to ensure it not only covers herself but volunteers in direct contact with child/young person under 18 years old. 

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Crown & Glory will ensure any activity taking part including young person/child will be checked to have the correct and suitable policy and procedures in place. 

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Safer practice in direct work with child/young person

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Under no circumstance should a member of the Crown & Glory team or vendor be left alone with a child/young person at any time. 

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Parents, directors and vendors must not use inappropriate language or behaviour at any time. 

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However minor, all allegations against the Crown & Glory director, helper or parent must be made to the appointed safe guarding officer Hannah Travers immediately. 

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Should any allegations be made against a member of Crown & Glory pageant team concerning alleged harm of a child/young person under 18 years old, the procedure must be followed and in line with West & Cheshire council safeguarding team. 

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Crown & Glory have also ensured a suitable and safe environment for all contestants by carrying out a risk assessment of the venue with a professional event medical team present during the competition which includes fully enhanced DBS and insurance and with a first aid trained council approved chaperone present during the day. 

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Parental responsibility:

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Before anyone under the age of 18 can enter the competition, they must have written consent from a parent or legal Guardian, who is confirming they have read this policy and are aware of what the pageant involves and the child is fit and healthy to compete in the pageant over the weekend. 

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Mother and or female legal guardian always have full responsibility to look after their child or persons under 18.  This includes during the show where they are expected to be in the changing rooms, however, can watch their child onstage, so they can show their support. During this time the children will be behind the stage with our council approved enhanced DBS checked Chaperones for a limited time until they go onto stage for a short period of time. 

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Parents or legal guardians must not accept responsibility for looking after anyone else’s child for any time frame.

Children’s physical and mental health is very important to us and we would appreciate it if parents/Guardians could disclose any challenges their children may be facing.  If it is deemed that taking part in the pageant could further damage the child’s health in anyway, then the appropriateness of their participation will be investigated. 

All decisions will be made by Hannah Tordoff and Hannah Travers after a discussion with the Parent/Legal Guardian and the decision will be final.

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** see terms and conditions

 

Rounds:

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All parents are aware that rounds consists of Interview, opening dance, Fun Fashion, be you round & Evening gowns.  All outfits during each round must be age appropriate and contestants will be marked down if this is not the case.  In extreme cases the child/young person may not be allowed to participate in the show.

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Be You wear will replace the sports round for under 18’s.  Be You wear must not be anything that resembles a swimming costume for example gymnastics leotards.

 

 

 

Contractors & Volunteers:

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As parents are always to be present, this event does not require our director Hannah & safeguarding Hannah Travers to be DBS checked however Hannah Tordoff has a Enhanced DBS check. Upon starting their day, they will have a discussion with Hannah Travers who is currently in charge of safe guarding about signs to look out for and how to report any behaviour they are concerned about.

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Team members such as chaperones will be council approved with enhanced DBS checks.

Photographer has an up to date DBS check and Presenter has a enhanced DBS check. 

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Our Event Medical Team who will be present during the entire event are enhanced DBS checked and Insured.

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Contractors & Volunteers will never be left alone with a child/children at any time and will not be able to enter backstage under any circumstances. 

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Any concerns raised by parents regarding helpers will be taken seriously and investigated straight away. 

Contractor &/or Volunteer will be removed from the event while an investigation takes place.

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Photography and live streaming of event:

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Before the event we must have every contestant’s permission for photography and live streaming.  Where a parent/guardian does not wish for photos to be taken or live stream of their child’s performance we will ensure this does not happen.  We will also ensure that at the beginning of the event that we advise spectators that photography is not allowed during the show.

 

All parents/guardians must sign to approve that Crown & Glory Pageants may use photos taken at the show and the contestant workshop the night before can be used for promotional purposes.