1. London Museum Development Volunteer Training Bank: Child Protection

2. What is child protection? In small groups discuss what you understand by the term ‘child protection’ What words and phrases come to mind?

3. What is child protection? Keeping children safe from harm Physical abuse Emotional abuse Sexual abuse Neglect

4. What does child protection mean for museums? What is duty of care? It is a legal duty on all individuals and organisations to avoid carelessly causing injury Therefore museums must take all reasonable steps open to them to avoid children (or anyone else) coming to harm.

5. What does child protection mean for museums? What steps should museums take? Safeguarding policy and related procedures –co-ordinates child protection measures all the way through the museum's work Communication –day to day supervision and other monitoring Risk Assessments –a practical method for seeing where the risks are, and how to tackle them DBS checks where available.

6. Standards of Behaviour: Museum of Wales Do Approach any child apparently in distress and ask if you can help Seek assistance from colleagues or supervisors where appropriate Be aware of the possibility of danger from others and question situations that you find suspicious Keep a look out for children apparently unaccompanied. Communicate the details of any lost children to the appropriate central point.

7. Standards of Behaviour: Museum of Wales Do Keep any lost children in a public area where they can be clearly seen Act professionally in all matters Be aware of appearances and avoid any situations which might appear compromising Report any allegation (even if this is just a suspicion) of abuse or inappropriate conduct immediately to your line manager.

8. Standards of Behaviour: Museum of Wales Do not Engage in any "rough and tumble" or other horseplay Physically restrain a child or young person except in exceptional circumstances (e.g. to prevent injury) and even then be careful to use only the minimum restraint necessary Make sexually suggestive comments to any visitor Use foul or abusive language to any visitor and especially not to or within earshot of a child

9. Standards of Behaviour: Museum of Wales Do not Physically assault or abuse any visitor and especially not a child or young person Do things of a personal nature for children that they can do for themselves or that a parent/leader can do for them. Allow or engage in inappropriate touching of any kind. The main principles of touch are: − The desire to be touched should always be initiated by the child. − Touch should always be appropriate to the age and stage of development of the child.

10. Standards of Behaviour: Recommendations It is strongly recommended that you do not, except in emergency situation: Go into the toilet with children unless another adult is present or gives permission (this may include a parent, teacher, group leader) Spend time alone with a child on his/her own If you are in a situation where you are alone with a child, make sure you can be clearly observed or seen by others You should, wherever possible, also avoid being alone in a vehicle with otherwise unaccompanied children or young people although this may not always be practicable, for example when accompanying work experience placements.

11. Guidelines on touch In small groups discuss the MLA/NSPCC Guidelines Feedback your comments to the rest of the group

12. Break

13. Scenarios What would you do if…? A child is lost in the museum. He appears to be about 4 years old and is very upset. When you approach him he clings to your leg in tears You're helping out with a school group of 6 year olds in your education room. They've been asked to draw a scene from a medieval battle that occurred in the area. Everyone is drawing violent pictures, but one girl's picture also seems overtly sexual – the knights appear to have penises.

14. Listening and Reporting Concerns Remember it is not your responsibility to decide if a child is being abused. Your role is to act on any concerns you may have Make sure you know and follow your museum's policies and procedures If a child tries to talk to you about something that is worrying them, it is important to listen carefully and respond sensitively If the child tells you about abuse they are experiencing, listen carefully to what they tell you.

15. Listening and Reporting Concerns Don’t ask direct questions. Avoid 'Who?', 'What?', 'When?', 'Where?' Encourage them to talk - 'Do you want to tell me about this?' - but do not pressurise them Keep calm and even if you find what they are saying difficult or painful keep listening.

16. Listening and Reporting Concerns Be honest with them about what you can and cannot do. Tell them you are not able to keep what they have told you secret and that you will try to find them the help they need When they have finished make a detailed note of what they have said, using an incident record form if possible As soon as possible, pass the information to the designated officer, or someone in a position of authority within your museum.

17. Listening and Reporting Concerns Do not contact or confront the alleged abuser Find someone you trust to talk to about the situation or to support you but remember not to name or identify those involved in the allegations. You can call the NSPCC Child Protection Helpline on 0808 800 5000 If you have serious concerns about the immediate safety of the child contact the Police or Social Services. Record the name of the person you spoke to and tell your supervisor or line manager what you have done.

18. Your concerns In small groups discuss any remaining concerns Feedback your questions to the rest of the group

19. Personal Code of Conduct (NSPCC) To respect all individuals, irrespective of age, developmental stage, ability, sex, sexual orientation, or ethnicity To place the safety and well­being of children first; before any personal or organisational goals and before any loyalty to friends To form only appropriate relationships with children, based on trust and respect To be aware of the relative powerlessness of children, and especially disabled children, in relation to adults To be committed to actively preventing the exploitation and abuse of children To be aware of your organisation’s child protection policy, and your responsibilities within it.

20. Any Questions? Please remember to complete your evaluation form before you leave. For other training sessions, please visit the Volunteer Training Bank on the London Museum Development Team’s website: http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/supporting-london- museums/resources/training-bank

21. This presentation and its contents, unless otherwise indicated, © Museum of London, 2015. All Rights Reserved.