Child Protection Policy

Press pause believes that it is always unacceptable for a child or young person to experience abuse of any kind and recognises it has a responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children and young people, by a commitment to practice which protects them.

Press pause recognises that:

The welfare of the child/young person is paramount
All children, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious 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 their agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare

The purpose of this policy is:

To provide protection for children and young people who receive press pause services
To provide staff with guidance on procedures they should adopt if they suspect a child or young person may be experiencing, or be at risk of, harm

This policy applies to all staff working on behalf of press pause

Press pause will seek to safeguard children and young people by:

Valuing them, listening to and respecting them and adopting child protection guidelines through procedures and a code of conduct for staff
Recruiting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made
Sharing information about child protection and good practice with staff
Sharing information about concerns with agencies who need to know and involving parents and children appropriately
Providing effective management for staff through supervision, support and training

What press pause will do if we have concerns about a child or young person

In almost all circumstances, we will talk to a child’s parents about any concerns and tell you if these concerns need referral to children’s social care. We will ask your consent to make a referral, but in some circumstances, we may need to make a referral against your wishes. We will only do this if we genuinely believe this is the best way to protect your child.

If we think talking to parents first might in some way increase the risk to the child, we will report our concerns to children’s social care and take advice from them. We will tell the parent that a referral is being made and record this.

Child protection is a very sensitive issue and it raises many questions and a range of strong emotions. Press pause will do everything we can to support the children in our sessions and you can be rest assured that any action we take will always be in the best interests of the child.

Sources of information and support

First Response Bristol Tel: 0117 9036444

Out-of-hours Emergency Duty Team Tel: 01454615165

Police Tel: 101 or 01179454328 /01275818181

NSPCC Child Protection Helpline Tel: 08088005000

Kidscape 08451205204

Childline Tel: 08001111

Young Minds Tel 08008025544

Anti-terrorist / Radicalisation (Prevent) Tel: 101 (ask to speak to someone about radicalisation)

Confidential Anti-terrorist helpline Tel: 0800789321

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Hotline Tel: 08000283550 or 101

Press pause is committed to reviewing this policy annually

(updated September 2019)