Purpose
The Camera Club offers great opportunities but all children/vulnerable adults have a right to protection and this Camera Club has a role in that. Protection of children and vulnerable adults is everyone’s responsibility. The child/vulnerable adult’s welfare should always be the first consideration in any situation but it should be remembered that parent(s)/guardian/carer retain responsibility at all times and should be involved as appropriate. [This policy isn’t asking people to be parent(s)/guardians/carer]

This policy sets out the principles behind protecting children/vulnerable adults and, in some circumstances, the action you should take.

Scope
Definitions are:

Child – young person under 18

Vulnerable adult – person aged 18 or over and who is in need of community services due to illness or mental/physical disability.

Note:
A child under 16 years must be accompanied by a parent/legal guardian. If not prepared to accompany a child, the Club requires the parent/legal guardian to nominate in writing a responsible adult. The parent/legal guardian remains responsible for the child prior to arrival at the Club and once they leave the Club. If a child arrives at the Club unaccompanied, they will not be admitted.

A child age 16 or 17 years may attend the Club provided the Club has the written permission of the parent/legal guardian.

A vulnerable adult may attend the Club with appropriate support.

Recognising and reporting abuse
It is not the responsibility of members of the club to decide if abuse has taken place but if a Member has concerns these should be reported as below:

Abuse
If you think you have spotted the signs of sexual, emotional, physical abuse or neglect http://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/signs-symptoms-effects/ , these should be referred to children/vulnerable adult’s social care or, if an emergency, the police:

Cambridgeshire child protection team: tel 0345 045 5203 (0345 045 5202 for vulnerable adults) 8am - 6pm Monday to Friday or out of hours Emergency Duty Team - 01733 234 724.

If you are unsure and would like to talk to someone, call the NSPCC 0808 800 5000.

Abuse by a member of the Club
Sadly some people will actively seek out ways to harm young people and vulnerable adults and may use clubs to approach them with inappropriate suggestions/touching.

Concerns about individuals should be reported to the Cambridgeshire child /adult protection team/police as above and to the Club President.

In the case of either situation above records should be kept about referrals made and information shared on a need-to-know basis.

Good practice
It is not possible to cover all situations but the below should give broad guidelines:

• Parents/carers should be informed about/give permission for
  
  • lifts home or to events
  • involvement in events where the taking or viewing of images may be considered suggestive or indecent
  • attendance at a studio evening.
    

• Personal care of children/vulnerable adults will remain the responsibility of the parent/carer
  
  
• Inappropriate situations should be avoided; these may include:
  
  • being alone with children/vulnerable adults
  • inappropriate touching beyond helping with camera position;
  • allowing children/vulnerable adults to be photographed in inappropriate situations
  • allowing children/vulnerable adults to see inappropriate material
  • allowing children/vulnerable adults to operate unsuitable equipment
  • using inappropriate language within hearshot of a child/vulnerable adult.