Grandstand Media Ltd, believes that the safety and enjoyment of children and vulnerable people participating is paramount and all, without exception, have the right to protection from prohibited conduct and that treats all individuals with respect. All suspicions and allegations of this nature will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately and all Grandstand Media’s management, employees, officials, contractors, and volunteers have a responsibility to report concerns.
As children enter Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), site with their parents or guardians for major events, they are offered a wristband as a competitor on which the parent’s mobile number can be written. Grandstand Media and/or medical/welfare staff will try to contact the child’s parent by using this mobile phone or all competitors will have provided contact details at the time of entry to the show.
Children entering the show via tickets purchased will have done so by the ticketing agent and venue policies.
The policy has been formulated to comply with:
The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974; The Children Act 1989; The Police Act 1997; The Data Protection Act 1998; The Human Rights Act 1998; The Protection of Children Act 1999; The Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000, The Children Act 2004; The Protection of Vulnerable Groups Act 2006; Protection of Freedoms Act 2012; the Children and Social Work Act 2017 and Working together to Safeguard Children 2010.
Personnel operating at HOYS will receive an induction, as required for their job function, relevant to child protection, relevant legislation and reporting of accidents. All Grandstand Media staff are also provided with a staff handbook that details policies and procedures during Horse of the Year Show. Grandstand Media Ltd shall work hard to ensure as far as it is reasonably practical that any event is safe and suitable for children and vulnerable people.
We are all responsible for identifying and reporting concerns and acting where appropriate. For Grandstand Media Ltd. and any services commissioned by them, we are responsible for making sure that this policy is implemented.
In order to ensure the safety of children and young people, or vulnerable adults, in the care of the Grandstand Media Team and their contracted providers, the following will be undertaken:
These guidelines are intended as a practical framework for people working with children in event settings to help ensure the safety, well-being and protection of children and young people in their charge. It is noted that while protection guidelines for vulnerable adults differ significantly from those that apply to children, the following guidance offers safe practice for the care of both groups.
The purpose of this document is to:
The Children’s Act (2004) defines a child as any person under the age of 18 years. This definition applies to care and protection matters.
The definition of a vulnerable adult is given in the ‘No Secrets’ guidance (2000) as someone aged 18 years or over “who is or may be in need of community care services due to mental or other disability, age or illness; and who is or may be unable to take care of themselves, or unable to protect themselves against significant harm or exploitation”.
Further, it defines abuse as “a violation of an individual’s human and civil rights by any other persons.”
In particular, it should be noted here that adults (i.e. those aged 18 years or higher) have the right to make their own decisions unless there are clear grounds to override this as a result of their lack of capacity or if wider public interest is involved. The management of Grandstand Media Ltd recognise that an adult may be deemed vulnerable or at risk by the medical/welfare team or by any other agency referring to us due to factors such as, being under the influence of substance(s) or by immediate crisis issues e.g. emotional distress. However, it is essential that their human and/or civil rights are not compromised in providing support to the individual and the correct procedures are followed around leaving our care (should they choose to do so) as outlined in this policy.
Prohibited contact includes all forms of abuse, harassment, discrimination, bullying and explitation.
It is essential that the boundaries of confidentiality are explained to the child or young person or vulnerable adult – if possible before disclosure, i.e. where it is suspected they might be about to disclose. Under the Children’s Act (1989), Grandstand Media Ltd has a duty to inform Social Services of any reports of abuse involving children and cannot therefore keep such details confidential. This is for the protection of the individual and possibly others. It is the role of the Operations Manager from Grandstand Media or their assigned assistant to liaise with Social Services in this matter and they are responsible for making them aware of the disclosure.
Written notes will be kept of all relevant information. Information should however only be shared on a strictly ‘need to know’ basis.
Abuse is a broad term in the context of safeguarding children and/or vulnerable adults. There are many degrees of abuse, and it can take many forms. This can range from low-level name calling or ridiculing of a crew member, which may be considered “poor practice” to serious neglect or physical attacks which would likely lead to an investigation being conducted.
The categories of Prohibited Conduct outlined here are not mutually exclusive, nor are the examples provided in each category an exhaustive list.
It is important that everyone understands that child abuse can be perpetrated by either an adult or another child and may be as a result of an omission as well as an act. Abuse can take place in any context and by any kind of perpetrator.
“Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development. It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child’s basic emotional needs.” (Working together to safeguard children 2010)
In terms of a vulnerable adult this may be described as:
“Including ignoring medical or physical care needs, failure to provide access to appropriate health, social care or educational services, the withholding of necessities of life, such as medication, adequate nutrition and heating.”
NOTE: ‘Neglect’ might in this instance be considered to be the refusal of an on-site guardian to maintain appropriate care of the child or young person. (Such as refusing to attend medical/welfare to collect a child, or appearing unfit or incapable to care for the child.)
“Physical abuse may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating or otherwise causing physical harm to a child. Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or guardian fabricates the symptoms of or induces illness in a child.” (Working together to safeguard children 2010)
With regard to a vulnerable adult this may also include:
“May involve hitting, slapping, pushing, kicking, misuse of medication, restraint or inappropriate sanctions.”
“Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, whether or not the child is aware of, or consents to, what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including penetrative acts such as rape, buggery or oral sex or non-penetrative acts such as fondling. It may also include noncontact activities such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, pornographic material or watching sexual activities, or encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways.” (Working together to safeguard children 2010)
In terms of a vulnerable adult:
“Including rape and sexual assault or sexual acts to which the Vulnerable Adult has not consented, or could not consent, or was pressured into consenting.”
“Emotional abuse is the persistent emotional ill treatment of a child such as to cause severe and
persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional development. It may involve making the child feel or believe that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person. It may feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on children. It may involve seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another. It may involve serious bullying causing children to frequently feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of children. Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of maltreatment of a child, although it may occur alone.” (Working together to safeguard children 2010)
“Including emotional abuse, threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation of contact, humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, isolation or withdrawal from services or supportive networks.”
“Including theft, fraud, exploitation, pressure in connection with wills, property or inheritance or financial transactions, or the misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions or benefits of a vulnerable person.”
“Bullying is deliberately hurtful behaviour, usually repeated over a period of time, where it is difficult for those being bullied to defend themselves” (Working together to safeguard children 2010)
Bullying can be:
Grandstand Media Ltd is committed to fostering a caring, friendly and safe environment for everyone involved in the event so that they can attend/work/participate in a relaxed and secure atmosphere. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable at Horse of the Year Show.
If bullying does occur, all management, officials, contractors or attendees should be able to tell and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively by Grandstand Media Management.
The designated person for dealing with concerns or suspicions of child or vulnerable adult abuse at Grandstand Media Ltd is the Operations Manager. In the event of alleged or actual abuse or concerns about the general wellbeing of a child, young person or vulnerable adult, the following Safeguarding Procedures should be followed:
All accidents in the lost children’s area shall be reported according to the event’s accident reporting and investigation procedure and be as per venue guidelines.
Grandstand Media Ltd recruitment procedures for staff for the event include:
All staff that work directly with children in a position of direct care must have enhanced clearance documentation from the Disclosure and Barring Service or Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme (Scotland) and for those in supervisory positions, enhanced clearance is mandatory. Staff working with children within the medical team are from a contracted company, Event Medical.
Staff will be trained in the potential problems relating to the inappropriate handling or touching of children and staff will be conversant with procedures for discipline and dealing with uncooperative children or their parents. Practices that threaten, frighten or humiliate children will not be used under any circumstances. Children will be accompanied at all times while they are under the care of the Medical Team.
Grandstand Media Ltd are committed to ensuring that once recruited, all staff should be well informed, trained, supervised and supported, so that they are less likely to become involved in actions which can lead to harm or could be misunderstood. With particular reference to training, the management are committed to recognising and reviewing the work of staff.
New staff will be made familiar with this Safeguarding Policy and expected behaviour within the Company handbook and the staff handbook for the event. Staff shall be given clear instructions on tasks and the limits that apply to them.
The development and suitability of staff is reviewed continually.
Staff are supervised in a line management system.
Supervision is regarded as a two-way process whereby staff has access to support and opportunity to reflect on what has been achieved and plan future actions.
Supervision provides an opportunity for staff to share concerns, anxieties or worries about their work. These meetings may be formal or informal and should include opportunities for discussion of issues of importance and to identify training needs.
Line managers will identify both individual and organisational training needs of staff. This will include training in policies as appropriate.
Staff will be encouraged to undertake all relevant identified training to support their development and enhance skills.
Evidence of written parental consent is required by Grandstand Media Ltd’s management.
The controls in place for the attendance shall be as per the venue/events’ risk assessment.
If changing facilities are required the management will provide the provision of separate male and female changing areas, suitable changing facilities for young person’s separate from adults will be made available.
Where an activity involves children participating in entertainment performances at Horse of the Year Show, the management of the event will comply with the Children and Young Persons Act 1963, the Child Care Act 1980 and the Children (Performance) Regulations 2014.
All parents/guardians of young persons should be informed that Horse of the Year Show is a major international event, which will attract substantial media interest.
All professional media attendees shall be issued with an identification pass, which must be worn and clearly visible at all times during an event. All photographers/videographers must wear an identifiable armband that is used by Grandstand Media Ltd.
There will be no unsupervised access to children or one-to-one photo sessions.
The management will act on the concerns of parents/guardians and mascots regarding the inappropriate use of photographic and filming equipment.
The management of Grandstand Media Ltd are committed to providing a safe environment for children/young people under the age of 18 to participate in. Essential to this commitment, is to ensure that all necessary steps are taken to protect children/young people from the inappropriate use of photographic images.
The management will ensure that:
Furthermore the management will:
Any parent/guardian of a child or young person, or friend of a missing person, who reports them missing may need support to access welfare services and it is to be expected that the member of Grandstand Media staff will direct them, or escort if necessary, to the medical room or if a more quiet area is required then they may go to the Event Directors office.
They may be considerably distressed. At this point, Grandstand Media staff should keep details minimal when notifying Security Control; medical services will take a full report. This lessens the chance of duplicate or conflicting details.
When a child is reunited with their parent or guardian then, ID should be requested and recorded and only in extreme circumstances should a young child be allowed to leave without the parent providing some form of ID. Should the child seem afraid or unwilling to accompany the parent or guardian then assistance/advice from the Venue and/or Police should be sought. Equally, should the parent or guardian seem in any way unfit to care for that child then assistance/advice from the Venue and/or Police should be sought. If there are concerns that a parent may be under the influence of substances and therefore unable to provide safe care for their child, staff should consult with a senior manager at Horse of the Year Show, who may seek assistance/advice from the Venue and/or Police if there are legitimate concerns.
Security Control will be advised when that individual leaves in the care of their parent or guardian. Notes will be kept in accordance with the Data Protection Act for a period of one year, after which point they will be destroyed, unless an ongoing investigation is pending.
Any adult in the care of the Grandstand Media medical team, who is deemed to be vulnerable, is entitled to be treated with dignity and respect.
Eventgoers under the influence of substances may present with challenging behaviours because of something they have taken. Staff should deal with any behaviours professionally and involve another agency such as security if necessary to protect welfare of the individual, staff or the public.
If a vulnerable adult is to be evicted from HOYS, Grandstand Media management will work in conjunction with the NEC/Arena Security or Progress Security to ensure their safety and wellbeing is maintained. There will be a phone based in the Event Offices so that all evictees get an opportunity to make a call to arrange for someone to collect them. All evictees must be offered this service. Grandstand Media management may also offer support to assist a vulnerable adult off site e.g escorting the person to taxi or person collecting them. This support should be offered in pairs and staff should ensure they take a radio or operational mobile phone with them. Should a vulnerable adult not wish this support but there are concerns about their wellbeing, event personnel should hand over this information to NEC/Arena security control.
Eventgoers who may be affected by substance use and other vulnerable adults may request assistance with personal care. Should an individual require support with personal care, staff should inform the Medical Team of this request. If any personal care support is to be given by a member of the opposite sex, the individual must be offered the option of a chaperone. The chaperone must be wherever possible, the same sex as the individual receiving the care (Royal College of Nursing, 2002; General Medical Council, 2006). As there may be issues around capacity to process information, staff should continually seek consent for any required support and ensure they verbalise any physical support to the event goer. Personal care support must be recorded in the notes of the medical/welfare team, detailing names of which staff was involved in the support.
Should an adult considered vulnerable choose to leave the Grandstand Media medical/welfare care, then NEC/Arena Security Control will be notified. It may be necessary to monitor them for their safety and at this point discussions should be held whether to involve Police.
Any individual who is behaving, or expressing a serious intention to behave, in a manner likely to harm his/herself or others should be considered at risk. Support from security and/or Police may be needed while the situation is assessed.
Under Section 11 of the Children Act 2004, Grandstand Media Ltd is required to audit and review safeguarding measures annually.
Grandstand Media Ltd regards this as a ‘living document’ and revisions may be required outside this schedule if changes in service provision or changes in legislation make it necessary to do so.
Offensive language is one of the most frequent causes of complaint.
As Horse of the Year Show is a family-based event and will have the attendance of young persons, Grandstand Media Ltd will issue this language policy to all announcers.
Judgments’ on language about its use are difficult because they depend on tone and context. There is no consensus about words that are acceptable, when, and by whom. Different words cause different degrees of offence in different parts of the world. So a person’s age, sex, education, employment, belief, nationality, and where they live, all impact on whether or not they might be offended.
Language that causes most offence includes:
No Announcer, Performer or Presenter at HOYS will include any offensive language in their function/performance
There will be No offensive language spoken via any PA or microphone from the arena or any other part of HOYS.
Children are likely to be in the audience at HOYS and as such no offensive language should be used.
No offensive language will be used on the Grandstand Media website.
Any use of the most offensive language is totally prohibited by the management of Grandstand Media Ltd
All Announcers, performers and presenters at HOYS will be made aware of this policy and will agree it prior to their performance.
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