Marlow Music Festival

Incorporating Computers in Personnel International Concerto Competition

General Information

Festival Child Protection Policy

Chairman:     Mrs Janina Doroszkowska

 

Treasurer:     Mrs Anne Groves

 

Venues:        Court Garden, Pound Lane, Marlow, Bucks

                      Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School, West Street, Marlow, Bucks

 

Dates:           3rd – 13th and provisionally 20th November 2008

 

Preliminary Statement

The safety of children and members of other vulnerable groups is paramount and all, without exception, have the right to protection from abuse.  All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately and all the charity’s trustees, staff and volunteers have a responsibility to report concerns

 

1.        Purpose and Function of Organisation

The annual Marlow Music Festival aims to offer an opportunity for musical development for people of all ages and abilities across a broad range of music making, including piano, instrumental and vocal.  We offer performing experience, critical feedback from top professionals and the opportunity to acquire a wider musical knowledge in a warm and supportive atmosphere.  By encouraging the young musicians of today, we seek to foster the professional musicians of tomorrow.

 

2.        The Festival Environment

We inform you by this Policy that we shall take all practicable steps for a safe Festival.  This policy seeks to invite parents/guardians and teachers to enter into a partnership with us to ensure as safe an environment as is reasonably possible.  The Festival is run by volunteers in a hired venue at Marlow Leisure Centre, address above.

 

3.        To Whom does this Policy Apply?

This policy relates to all children under the age of 18 years and those vulnerable adults of any age who are identified to the organisers prior to their arrival at the Festival.  In recognising the needs of children who are disabled and those from any ethnic minority groups, the Festival actively seeks to meet any needs notified to the Festival by parents/guardians/carers and/or teachers.

 

4.        Festival Personnel

Festival personnel are volunteers recruited on the basis of personal recommendation or invitation of the committee.  All personnel are required to supply a character reference.  Details of personnel and references are kept on file by the Festival.

Personnel at the Festival wear identifying labels.  The senior steward at the Festival, to whom issues may be addressed, will have a red sticker attached to his/her label.

 

5.        Preparation for Attendance at the Festival

Children under 18 years attending the Festival should be accompanied by a parent/guardian/carer and/or teacher.  Where a parent/guardian/carer is not able to personally attend with their children, this Policy requires them to be satisfied that their children will be accompanied to the Festival and adequately supervised by responsible adults acting on their behalf.

Groups of children, such as choirs and ensembles, should be accompanied by supervising adults in the ratio of 10:1 or lower.

 

This policy will be published on the Festival website and in the Syllabus.  In addition parents will be sent a copy with their notification of class times prior to the Festival.

 

6.        Photographs, Videotapes and Press Photography

No photography of any kind – film, digital, video or photo-phone – is permitted anywhere in Festival premises.  Sound recording is also forbidden.

The local press will be permitted to take photographs prior to a class or at the Festival Concert by arrangement.  Parents/guardians/carers who do not wish their child to be included in a press photograph should remove their child from the situation at the time or arrange for the accompanying adult to do so.

 

7.        Legislation and Guidance that Supports this Policy

The Children Act 1989; The Police Act 1997; The Data Protection Act 1998; The Human Rights Act 1998; The Protection of Children Act 1999; The Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000, The Children Act 2004, The Vulnerable Groups Act 2006.

 

8.        Policy Review

The organisers will constantly review their policy, improving and enhancing it as necessary.  In doing this they will look to The British & International Federation of Festivals for support, and that body in turn will look to other agencies, most notably the NSPCC and the Arts Council of England for policy guidelines.

 

All communications regarding this policy and its implementation should be directed to: 

Mrs Janina Doroszkowska,

Chairman, Marlow Music Festival,

8 Moyleen Rise,

Marlow, Bucks, SL7 2DP.

Tel: 01628 486702   

e-mail: janina.doroszkowska@hotmail.co.uk