Child Protection Policy

	Statement
	Aims
	Roles
	Good Practise Guidelines
	Action
	What is abuse?
	Recognition of Abuse
	Confidentiality, Support and Bullying
	Guidelines for use of photographic and filming equipment

Further Help
Many of the issues in child protection are very sensitive and you may not know who is best to turn to for advice or are worried about sharing your concerns with a senior colleague. You should in this case either contact the BAFA Child Protection Officer, social services direct or phone either the NSPCC (0808 800 5000) or Childline (0800 1111).

Information passed on to the social services or the police must be as helpful as possible, hence the necessity of making a detailed record at the time of the disclosure/concern. Information should include the following:

	Name of child
	Age of child and date of birth
	Home address and telephone number
	Is the person making the report expressing their own concerns or those of someone else?
	What is the nature of the allegation? Include dates, times, any special factors and other relevant information.
	Make a clear distinction between what is fact, opinion or hearsay.
	A description of any visible bruising or other injuries.
	Witnesses to the incidents
	The child's account, if it can be given, of what has happened and how any bruising or injuries occurred
	Have the parents been contacted?
	If so, what has been said?
	Has anyone else been consulted? If so record details.
	If it is not the child making the report has the child concerned been spoken to? What was said?
	Has anyone been alleged to be the abuser? Record details.