Child Protection Policy

Introduction

Yogaful Minds is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people partaking in classes, workshops and parties. In this respect, Yogaful Minds acknowledges its position as a medium of influence.

This policy establishes the roles and responsibilities of everyone who works for, or may work for, the company in relation to the protection of children and young people with whom their work brings them in contact. In the context of child protection, children and young persons refers to anyone under 18 years of age.

This policy is based on, and reflects, the principles of both UK legislation and guidance and other relevant policies and procedures. The approach has been developed in such a way as to be consistent with ‘Best Practice’ within the field of child protection.

The key principles are:

The welfare of the child or young person is the paramount consideration.
The children and young people, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial or ethnic origin, religious belief and sexual identity have a right to protection from harm or abuse.

It is everyone in the company’s responsibility to promote the protection of children and young people. In following the policy, staff are always expected to maintain a sense of proportion, apply common sense to situations and protect the child’s and young person’s welfare as a priority.

It is also the duty of the company to ensure that staff are never placed in situations where abuse might be alleged. It is not intended that the policy should restrict staff from normal ways of working, but staff always need to consider how an action or activity may be perceived as opposed to how it is intended.

Principles of Good Practice

Yogaful Minds undertakes to:

Treat children and young people with care, respect and dignity
Recognise that those working for the company will be perceived by children and young people as trusted representatives of the company
Ensure communication with children and young people is open and clear
Assess the risks to children and young people of its activities
Ensure staff avoid physical contact with children and young people except for reasons of health and safety, training of yoga or under supervision
Ensure that for teen yoga classes, hands on adjustment forms will be completed by the young person and signed by legal parent/guardian.

Recruitment and Disclosure
All staff current and in the future, are required to have a Criminal Records Bureau disclosure of which the owner of the business keeps a copy of.