Keeping children safe, supported and happy

 

The safety and wellbeing of every child who attends Starty Arty is extremely important to me.

 

Starty Arty is committed to providing a safe, welcoming and supportive environment where children can enjoy being creative, develop their confidence and feel comfortable asking for help if they need it.

 

As an independent children's art tutor, I have safeguarding and child protection procedures in place and take responsibility for safeguarding the children in my care.

 

 

Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy

 

I have a dedicated Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy which explains the procedures I follow to help keep children safe and what I will do if I have a concern about a child's welfare.

 

The policy covers areas including:

• recognising signs that a child may be experiencing abuse or neglect

• responding appropriately if a child shares a concern or makes a disclosure

• safe arrival and collection of children

• professional boundaries and appropriate communication

• supervision during sessions

• photography and social media

• recording and handling safeguarding concerns

• emergency procedures

• responding to concerns or allegations involving an adult working with children

• working safely within the Starty Arty Studio at Langton Green Pavilion

 

[Read the Starty Arty Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy]

 

Parents and carers are welcome to read the policy at any time.

 

 

Safeguarding Training

 

I have completed the NSPCC Child Protection Training for Tutors, which is specifically designed for tutors and teachers working with children and covers recognising and responding to child protection concerns.

 

View NSPCC Safeguarding Training Certificate

 

I also keep my safeguarding knowledge and procedures under review so that they remain appropriate for the children, activities and environment in which Starty Arty operates.

DBS Check

 

I hold an Enhanced DBS check and undertake appropriate safeguarding checks for my role working with children.

 

Parents and carers are welcome to ask to see evidence of my current DBS check.

 

 

Safe Arrival & Collection

 

Children attending Starty Arty sessions are supervised throughout their time in my care.

Parents and carers are responsible for ensuring that children arrive safely at the Starty Arty Studio and are collected promptly at the end of the session.

 

At the end of each session, I accompany all of the children from the studio to the designated collection point.

 

Children remain with me while they are waiting to be collected and are released individually to their parent/carer or another adult who has been authorised to collect them.

 

Read the Starty Arty Studio Drop-Off & Pick-Up Information

 

 

If I Have a Safeguarding Concern

 

If I become concerned about a child's safety or welfare, I will take the concern seriously and follow my safeguarding and child protection procedures.

 

This may include speaking with the child's parent or carer where appropriate. However, there may be circumstances where information needs to be shared with the appropriate safeguarding professionals or emergency services to protect a child.

 

I will not promise a child that information they share with me will be kept secret if I believe they or another child may be at risk of harm.

 

If a child tells me something that causes concern, I will listen calmly, take what they say seriously and follow the appropriate safeguarding procedures.

 

 

If You Have a Concern

 

If you have a concern about the safety or wellbeing of your child, another child attending Starty Arty, or anything relating to safeguarding at Starty Arty, please contact me. I will listen to your concern and take it seriously.

 

If your concern relates to my own conduct or behaviour, you do not have to raise it directly with me if you would prefer not to. Appropriate safeguarding procedures will be followed, including contacting the relevant safeguarding authority where necessary.

 

For an immediate emergency where a child is in danger, please call 999.

 

 

Our Commitment

 

Safeguarding is not simply a policy or a document. It is part of the way Starty Arty operates.

 

I am committed to:

• putting children's safety and wellbeing first

• treating every child with kindness, dignity and respect

• providing appropriate supervision

• maintaining clear professional boundaries

• listening to children and taking their concerns seriously

• working with parents and carers to support children's wellbeing

• continually reviewing the safety of the Starty Arty environment and activities

• taking appropriate action whenever a safeguarding concern arises

 

If you have any questions about safeguarding at Starty Arty, please don't hesitate to get in touch.