Thanks for this Jocelyn - I have found this very helpful and clear.
Kind regards.
Tracey Mardles
Guildford House Gallery
-----Original Message-----
From: List for discussion of issues in museum education in the UK.
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jocelyn Goddard
Sent: 13 December 2006 09:54
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Responsibility for children over 14
Dear all
MLA South East has recently issued a briefing sheeet on child safety:
http://www.mlasoutheast.org.uk/aboutus/publications/briefingsheets/index
.asp?id=2603,1245,7,1249
Please let me know if you find it helpful or have any other comments.
Jocelyn
~ Jocelyn Goddard
~ Access and Learning Adviser
~ MLA South East
~ The Garden Room, Chatham Historic Dockyard, Chatham ME4 4TE ~ Tel:
01634 405031 ~ www.mlasoutheast.org.uk <http://www.mlasoutheast.org.uk/>
Connecting people and changing lives through museums, libraries and
archives
Hi
Just to confirm as per Bryony's comment, the law recognises young people
up to 18 as children - i.e. the day they hit their 18th birthday they
are no longer legally children.
However to confuse matters many funding streams (especially ones
receiving government funding) work with a 'young people' bracket of 14
to 19 or 13 to 19. Which could explain the confusion for universities.
In response to the original question - the best thing is to have a
rounded child protection policy which covers those up to(and including
if you want)
18 years. That way if the worst ever happens you can demonstrate that
you have taken every consideration, precaution and action to ensure the
safety of all young people in the building.
A lot of the work you might need for this may already have been done -
has your museum already got risk assessments? Front of house policies
for children and young people? First aid and emergency contact
procedures? Talk to your colleagues and see what already exists that you
can incorporate.
Other than that you might want to consider CRB clearance and other H&S /
confidentiality factors (e.g. ensuring there is no reason for an adult
to be on their own in a room with a single young person and other common
sense approaches). Once you've done all that maybe invite a local young
people's organisation and possible your local community police liaison
person in to review your policy so you can incorporate any feedback for
the final version. Then you will have everything you need to demonstrate
you've given as much genuine attention to the issue as you can.
It's a good idea to review your policy at least once a year and share it
across the whole museum. To really work it needs to have ownership by
the whole museum - both in its creation and upholding / updating it.
I have attached some more advice which came out of a NW Engage seminar
on child protection at the Harris Museum a couple of years ago which
might also be helpful. (If anyone doesn't receive the attachment I will
happily email to you separately on request)
Good luck!
Sally
Sally Fort
www.fortresources.co.uk
-----Original Message-----
From: List for discussion of issues in museum education in the UK.
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Bristow, Sharon
Sent: 11 December 2006 13:41
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Responsibility for children over 14
Dear Zoe
This page of the ABC of Working With Schools has some useful links:
http://www.museumse.org.uk:8080/cms/web/sehub/ABC_working_with_schools/p
repa
ring_school_visit/child_protection_policy.html
I believe that young people are classified as children until they are 19
(I know that this has caused some problems for Universities etc)
I would be interested to hear other people's thoughts.
Best wishes
Sharon
Sharon Bristow
Learning Manager
South East Museum Hub
Hampshire County Council Museum and Archives Service Chilcomb House
Chilcomb Lane Winchester
SO23 8RD
[log in to unmask]
07843367142
________________________________
From: List for discussion of issues in museum education in the UK. on
behalf of Kelly, Bryony
Sent: Mon 11/12/2006 11:32
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Responsibility for children over 14
Dear Zoe,
All I can recommend is getting professional advice on this - Liz
Whitehead has talked at several training days organised on the subject,
and is very good.
Her number is 07778 457661 and email is [log in to unmask]
A great document is 'Firstcheck' by the NSPCC
You should probably be thinking of 14-18 year olds as the issue, as you
are only an adult legally after you are 18.
Hope this points you in the direction of some useful info.
Kind regards
Bryony
-----Original Message-----
From: List for discussion of issues in museum education in the
UK.
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Zoe Gilbert
Sent: 09 December 2006 16:20
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Responsibility for children over 14
Dear all,
Seeking your advice on a quiet Saturday afternoon. I've just
written a new child protection policy for the Museum and stipulated that
children under 14 must be accomnpanied by a responsible adult. However,
this means there is a question mark over 14-16 year olds. I didn't want
to bar 14-16 year olds from coming independently, all those keen
students studying Medicine through time! If a worse case scenario were
to occur though, would we be liable? I've stated in the policy we never
act in loco-parentis but am not sure this is enough.
I would really appreciate advice on what other people do and
what the bottom line is in terms of the legal position.
Many thanks.
Zoe
Zoe Gilbert
Learning and Access Manager
Florence Nightingale Museum
2 Lambeth Palace Road
London SE1 7EW, United Kingdom
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Tel: +44 (0)20 7620 0374
Fax: +44 (0)20 7928 1760
Web: www.florence-nightingale.co.uk
<http://uk.f270.mail.yahoo.com/ym/www.florence-nightingale.co.uk>
Visit the Museum shop online:
http://www.florence-nightingale.co.uk/onlineshop/shop/
<http://www.florence-nightingale.co.uk/onlineshop/shop/>
"The Wonderful Mrs Seacole" temporary exhibition is showing now
and will be available until March 2007.
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<http://www.florence-nightingale.co.uk/Mary%20Seacole%202005.htm>
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