Child Safety

Lodestar will take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety of all children within the event and believes that the safety of children is paramount on all occasions.

LodeStar is committed to:

1. 
   
   1. ensuring that all possible situations are risk assessed.
   2. endeavour to establish suitable control measures to reduce the risk.
   3. both artists and stewards must be aware of the risk assessment and control measures in place.

Areas of the festival will have:

1. 
   
   1. adequate lighting
   2. supervised and controlled entry and exit
   3. clearly labelled exits and fire exits
   4. access to toilets and running water within a reasonable distance
   5. provision for the regular and safe disposal of rubbish

Activities

1. 
   
   1. age guidelines will be defined for all activities and entertainments
   2. leaders of all workshops making things and activities will be expected to adhere to the “Guidelines for Working in Craft Activities within the Children’s Festival”.
   3. commitment to the equality of opportunity for all children, including those with disabilities to actively participate within the event

Adult supervision

1. 
   
   1. suitable levels of SIA supervision
   2. ensure child to parent / guardian ratio is set at a level where the responsible person can look after those in their custody
   3. persons working with children must not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, be deemed to be medically fit
   4. appropriate First Aid cover is as close as possible and that First Aid locations are known by the people who have children in their care
   5. every effort will be done to ensure that all people working with children are fully briefed on all aspects of event safety and child protection issues
   6. accidents must be recorded on the appropriate form and details given to LodeStar’s Health and Safety Manager.
   7. children under 8 years must not be left unattended
   8. all staff and artists must take all possible steps to avoid the touching of any child

Behaviour Management of Children

1. 
   
   1. all staff and artists  must be conversant with procedures for discipline and dealing with uncooperative children
   2. LodeStar will not accept disruptive or unruly behaviour from any child which spoils the enjoyment by others
   3. bullying and physical abuse from one child to another, will not be tolerated
   4. corporal punishment (smacking, slapping and shaking) is illegal
   5. practices that threaten, frighten or humiliate children are never to be used

Lost Children

1. all staff and stewards must be aware of the Lost Child Procedure as stated in stewards manual and Lost Child Policy.
2. in most cases a lost child’s parent or guardian can not be found then the child should not be in LodeStar’s care for more than half an hour before being handed over to the police.

Protecting Children from Sexual Abuse

1. 
   
   1. Lodestar is totally committed to protecting all children, of all ages, from sexual abuse.
   2. It is neither practical or possible for all artists, staff, stewards and contractors working at the LodeStar to be police checked or to have a Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure.
   3. to ensure that children are protected from both sexual and all other types of abuse

Lodestar Festival reserves the right not to employ in any capacity:

1. 
   
   1. any person with a known history of sexual abuse to children
   2. any other person that they feel presents a danger or threat to the safety of children
   3. take all reasonable steps possible to ensure that there are no situations where any artist or volunteer steward is working within a situation where they have sole charge and unsupervised access to children.
   4. a commitment to annually review its Child Safety Policy to ensure neither complacency nor negligence in protecting children from abuse.

Protecting Children from Exposure to Inappropriate Activities, Actions, Language and Materials by:

1. 
   
   1. booking performers whose acts have been viewed or who provide creditable references
   2. ensuring performers or stewards do not swear, use lewd actions or make inappropriate references to sexual or illegal activities
   3. ensuring artists and stewards avoid overt criticism or sarcasm to any child
   4. advance notice to artists of the age range of children
   5. that all artists and stewards avoid stereotypical attitudes, racist terminology or gender bias

Guidelines for Workshops

1. 
   
   1. It is not possible to remove risk altogether in craft activities, but it is essential to reduce any such risk to acceptable levels by careful planning and selection of materials to be used.
   2. All people working in craft activities must be safety conscious at all times and activity leaders should carry out a basic Risk Assessment on their activity before arriving at the Festival.
   3. Stewards are present to help with activities and to minimise risk.
   4. Stewards will carry out regular checks on materials being used. If they are not happy with materials being used they must be withdrawn from use immediately.

The Use of Materials and Tools

1. 1. all adhesives, paints, varnishes etc. are suitable for use with children i.e. is non-toxic and non-allergenic.
   2. check all materials, especially re cycled junk materials, thoroughly for cleanliness, staples etc.
   3. awareness that some children are allergic to unexpected substances like sandpaper and some even react to substances, which are generally, considered to be safe.
   4. be especially careful with the use of “sharps” e.g. scissors, craft knives. It is best to use only round-ended scissors and restrict the use of real “sharps” to adults.
   5. consider carefully the need to use tools in your sessions; it may be safer to pre-cut the items.
   6. be constantly aware of the location of your tools, and at the end of each session make sure that all are accounted for.
   7. hot glue guns, staple guns and other similar tools should be kept away from children and should only be used by adults.
   8. possible sources of heat e.g. hot water, hot irons should be kept out of the reach of children and supervised at all times.
   9. always consider how essential such things are to the success of the activity and plan for their safe use.