At Portsmouth Ghostbusters, the safety and well-being of all children participating in our activities are our utmost priority. This Child Protection Policy outlines our commitment to ensuring a safe and secure environment for children and the procedures we have in place to safeguard them.

Supervision of Children:

1. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times during our workshops and events.
2. Parents or guardians are responsible for the supervision and behavior of their children throughout the duration of the activity.

Prevention of One-to-One Situations:

1. To prevent one-to-one situations between adults and children, we implement the following procedures:
Activities are structured to involve multiple participants and supervised by more than one adult.
When necessary, staff members or volunteers will be assigned to work in pairs or groups to supervise children.
Any private discussions or interactions between adults and children will take place within the sight and hearing of others.
Parents or guardians are encouraged to actively participate in the workshops to ensure the safety of their children.

Reporting Procedures:

1. Any concerns or suspicions regarding the safety or welfare of a child should be reported immediately to a designated safeguarding officer or the workshop organiser.
2. All reports of safeguarding concerns will be taken seriously and handled with sensitivity and confidentiality.
3. If necessary, appropriate authorities will be contacted, and further actions will be taken in accordance with local child protection guidelines.

Training and Awareness:

1. All staff members and volunteers involved in our workshops undergo training on child protection policies and procedures.
2. Regular updates and refreshers on child protection practices are provided to ensure everyone remains vigilant and informed.

Review and Revision:

1. This Child Protection Policy will be reviewed and updated regularly to reflect any changes in legislation or best practices.
2. Feedback and suggestions for improvement from staff, volunteers, parents, and children are welcomed and considered in the review process.

By participating in Portsmouth Ghostbusters activities, parents, guardians, staff, and volunteers agree to adhere to this Child Protection Policy and cooperate with its implementation.

For any questions or concerns regarding our Child Protection Policy, please contact us.