ImagineNewmarket Policies v. 2.2 June 2007 ImagineNewmarket Diversity Statement: We exist for everybody. 1. ImagineNewmarket is committed to diversity and equality of opportunity, ensuring the elimination of discrimination on improper grounds. 2. We value and promote equality of access and opportunity for all, including people people disadvantaged through multiple forms of discrimination. ImagineNewmarket Mission Statement: ImagineNewmarket will build and maintain an Imagination Centre - Museum for all. 1. ImagineNewmarket will always ensure that all its activities work in concert with the needs of users, the philosophies of its partner organisations and within the boundaries of good practice. 2. ImagineNewmarket will always ensure that project staff and volunteers are appropriately qualified and have access to recognised training and personal development programmes. 3. ImagineNewmarket will strive in its work, to encourage access to, and provide gateways towards, training, education and holistic personal development for all. 4. ImagineNewmarket is a family friendly organisation. Environmental Policy Statement: We will strive for sustainability. 1. ImagineNewmarket, operating a variety of services, is committed to the principle of environmental sustainability, safety, energy efficiency and the reduction of waste. 2. ImagineNewmarket actively seeks to work with service users, employees, volunteers and all partners in projects, local, regional and national to promote its environmental policy. 3. ImagineNewmarket seeks to establish all current environmental regulations, laws and codes of practices as minimum standards of operation. 4. The project will work in concert with all its partners to develop and build operational practices that continually reflect change, revised best practice and learned experience. 5. ImagineNewmarket disseminates an understanding of its environmental policy to all visitors, volunteers and staff through publication of operational developments, staff training and opportunities for service user contribution. 6. Purchasing, disposal of waste, material recycling and all consumption of resources will be factored in the light of ImagineNewmarket’s commitment to a sustainable environment. 7. ImagineNewmarket annually reviews its environmental policy. Recruitment Policy Statement: We will embrace equality and fairness. 1. As an equal opportunities employer ImagineNewmarket treats all applicants for positions with the project fairly and equitably. 2. The project recognises the importance of equality of opportunity for all and also recognise the benefits derived from having a diversity of talent, skills and potential within the project. 3. ImagineNewmarket recognises its responsibilities with regard to the fair treatment of staff, volunteers and service users. This fair treatment will be effected regardless of age, race, gender, disability, religion, sexual orientation and responsibilities for dependants. 4. All candidates will be selected for interview on the basis of their skills, qualifications and experience in relation to the requirements of the job. 5. All recruitment information, interview processes and interview outcomes will be conducted in accordance with these statements. 6. For positions where it is considered relevant, a disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau of the presence of a criminal record will be required. 7. This will be made clear to applicants during the recruitment process. Consequently, it follows that any offer of employment to such positions will be conditional upon further assessment of the relevance of any conviction/s to the job in question before being confirmed. 8. It is project policy that no employment may be undertaken without the completion of all these relevant checks and references. Health and Safety Policy and Procedures for working with children and adults. 1. Our organisation aims to provides a safe, healthy environment for children and adults. When working in all areas care will be taken to meet our standards. 2. It is the responsibility of all employees, volunteers and visitors to maintain safety in the working environment. Procedure for safety 1. In order to avoid the risk of accidents we maintain safety by the following these safety procedures... Children will always be supervised by a responsible member of staff. Children will not have access to areas where hazardous materials are kept. The beginning and end of sessions will be closely monitored. A formal risk assessment will be taken . Fire safety measures will be checked. A minimum of two adults will be present at all times to supervise children. 2. The first aid box will contain the following as given in the guidance in The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981:- Sterile individually wrapped adhesive dressings. Sterile eyepads. Sterile triangular bandages. Safety pins. A pair of scissors & tweezers. Sterile water. Sterile dressings. Non Allergic waterproof adhesive tape. Disposal gloves. Yellow waste disposal bags. An accident incident book – completed for every incident. Child Protection Policy and Procedures At ImagineNewmarket we plan to ensure children are safe from potential abuse in a way which respects the child’s rights and reinforces the adults responsibilities to the children. In order to do this we – Ensure that all adults working (voluntary or paid) are aware that such work is exempt from the provision laid down in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Require all potential employees to provide references, attend an interview, complete relevant OSFTED and CRB forms to be checked and or hold a current enhanced disclosure certificate and to work for a probationary period. Provide an induction programme for new members of staff that includes child protection responsibilities. Offer on going training to all adults, involved with the care and education of children, which will help them to recognise and respond to suspected abuse of children whether physical, emotional, sexual or as a result of neglect. Provide activities where appropriate to enable children to develop an understanding of personal safety, express their fears and anxieties. Never allow an unregistered adult to be alone with a child or children. Have clearly set out procedures which all adults will be aware of to respond to concerns of suspected abuse. Recognise that parents should always be involved in the monitoring of children’s behaviour or development and should be the first point of contact (except in cases of suspected sexual abuse). Keep an ongoing record of observations of significant changes in children’s behaviour or appearance, which will be written and kept confidential. Will have a designated person to whom all concerns will be referred. Will ensure all adults know who to contact within the setting and what to do if that person dose not carry out their responsibility for the child’s well being. Work with the Social Services, Police and NSPCC to ensure the child’s best interests are met. Will whenever possible continue to support and work with the child’s family to maintain continuity of care for the child. All details of concerns, progress, case conferences etc., are confidential and will not be discussed with anyone not authorised to have this information. Protection Procedures Adults An allegation is made against an adult in the project. The designated responsible person talks to the person and suspend them from activity. The designated person assesses the evidence to decide next stage. Collect all evidence; assess source of evidence – hearsay, opinion of factual. Hearsay – carry out internal and external investigation to establish whether there is anything to report to Child Protection Team. Opinion – monitor situation, keep records of any incidents, which might give cause for concern. Factual – report information to Duty Social Worker or Police Child Protection Unit and Early Years Directorate. If no evidence found reinstate worker to activity. If evidence is found consult with trustees immediately. Children and Young People You suspect a child may have been abused. Inform the designated person (likely to be the manager on duty) Record your observations or describe the incident on a C.P. report form. Designated person assesses the evidence to decide next stage. Consult with the duty manager/trustee immediately. Lost Children Children should be constantly monitored, by appropriately trained staff,  to see that they do not leave designated activity areas. All ImagineNewmarket policies and activities are designed to enhance the education, knowledge and enjoyment of young people. Our aim is never to have to implement this policy. Sometimes children do leave designated areas. This is what you should do. a. Immediately bring the situation to the attention of the senior duty person. b. Determine when and where the child was last seen, with whom etc. c. Whilst taking action, always remember the ratio of staff to children to protect the welfare of other children. d. Always ensure that children remaining in any activity area are adequately cared for. e. Undertake a thorough search of the immediate vicinity. f. If the child cannot be found in 10- 15 minutes immediately contact parents, carers and/or the police using existing emergency contacts. g. Continue searching even after warnings have been given. h. Help all parents, carers and statutory authorities as required - calmly, supportively and inclusively. i. Record the incident in the accident book and event log for the activity/day. Our aim is never to lose sight or care of anyone. The ImagineNewmarket managment committee will shortly publish policy and guidance on travel from our centre and the care of young  people and adults on external visits. What to do if you wish to make a complaint The ImagineNewmarket project is committed to providing good quality services to its community of interest and service users. In every relationship or complex piece of work we recognise that things can go wrong or that conflicting interests can emerge. This policy statement is about how we deal with these matters to the satisfaction of all parties. No complaint, formally made, is seen as trivial and we will take action immediately to resolve issues straight away, if we can. Deal with the issues locally and informally in the first instance. Often talking to our staff or volunteers on the ground, informally, can be the best way to share information and put things right. If you are still worried or concerned, speak to their organisational 'line manager' – get them to share the problem with our senior members. If this does not resolve the issue and the complaint becomes formal, you may use the information below to contact us by telephone, letter, email or fax. A ImagineNewmarket trustee (the Chair) will acknowledge your written complaint formally within three days of receipt. This trustee will arrange for the matter to be investigated – engaging with all the relevant parties with tact and discretion. We will formally issue a response and details of actions being taken within three weeks of the complaint being received. If this response does not fully satisfy the complaint you may make representations to outside agencies to pursue the matter. ImagineNewmarket, its partners, staff and volunteers will cooperate fully in this process. The aim of our project is to deliver successful, supportive and effective work to all the people we engage with. Please write in the first instance to... Tim Young Chair of ImagineNewmarket c/o SmithMartin Partnership LLP 483 Green Lanes London, N13 4BS or you can email Tim at  timyoung @ imaginenewmarket.org.uk