YogaBugs UK Ltd is committed to making sure all children grow up to be protected from any harm in their classes and clubs.

All Teachers have a duty of care to safeguard all children attending their classes from harm. All children have a right to protection and the needs of disabled children and other who maybe particularly vulnerable must be taken into account.

We ask all children, parents and teachers to adopt and implement our policy.

A child is defined as a person under the age of 18 (The Children Act 1989).

We recognise that:

• The welfare of a child / young person is paramount.
• All children, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, belief, sexual orientation or identity have the right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse.
• Working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare.

The purpose of this policy:

To provide protection for the children and young people who receive any of the YogaBugs classes.

To provide staff with guidance on procedures they should adopt in the event that they suspect a child or young person may be experiencing, or be at risk of harm.

The Rights of the Child – Supporting Documents:

Unicef produced a fact sheet that details a summary of the rights under the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

They claim that:

• All adults should do what is best for children and their best interests should be the primary concern
• Children’s education should develop each child’s personality, talents and abilities to the fullest. It should encourage children to respect others, human rights and their own and other cultures.

Procedures for Referral

2.1 All action is taken in line with the following legislation/guidance:

What to do if you’re worried a child or young person is being abused (2015)

Working Together to Safeguard Children (2015)

Keeping Children Safe in Education (2015)

2.2 Any member of staff who receives a disclosure of abuse or suspects that abuse may have occurred must report it immediately to the designated person for child protection (Lisa Applebee, Head Office) In the absence of the designated person the matter should be brought to the attention to The Bugs Group Head Office Management.

2.3 Confidentiality must be maintained and information relating to individual children/young person’s/ families shared with staff is on a strictly need to know basis.

Record Keeping

3.1 Any member of staff receiving a disclosure of abuse, or noticing possible abuse, must make an accurate record as soon as possible, noting what was said (verbatim) or seen, putting the event into context and giving the date, time and location. All records must be dated and signed.

3.2 All hand written records will be retained, even if they are subsequently typed up in a more formal report.

3.3 Written records of concerns about children/young people should be kept, even where there is no need to make a referral immediately.

3.4 All records relating to child protection concerns will be kept in a secure place and will remain confidential.

Parental involvement

4.1 YogaBugs is committed to helping parents / guardians / carers understand its responsibility for the welfare of all children and young people.

4.2 Parents / carers / guardians will be given information about the organisation’s child protection procedures.

4.3 Where possible concerns should be discussed with parents / carers / guardians / child protection officer within an establishment and the designated person should seek agreement before making a referral, unless to do so would place the child / young person at increased risk of significant harm.

Training

The designated person for child protection must receive training every 2 years in child protection. Training is available through Head Office.

Review

This policy will be reviewed on an annual basis, an updated where appropriate.