Wye Valley Events Child Protection & Code of Conduct

Some of the most precious photographs we all treasure are those recording the events in our children's lives. At Wye Valley Events we recognise that in today's media driven society, we have a responsibility to not only safeguard those children we come into contact with, but to reassure parents and carers that we have effective child protection policies in.

We work in accordance with NSPCC child protection in sport guidelines and British Gymnastics child protection policy and Photographic regulations. Advice for parents can be found on the NSPCC website or by clicking HERE.

     We will:

• Play our part in helping to develop an ethos where all people matter and are treated equally, and with respect and dignity
• Always put the care, welfare and safety needs of a child first
• Respect a child’s culture (for example their faith and religious beliefs)
• Respect a child’s right to privacy and personal space
• Respond sensitively to children who seem anxious about participating in certain activities
• Speak to an official immediately if we suspect that a child is experiencing bullying or harassment
• Be aware of the vulnerability of some groups of children to being isolated and hurt (for example, children with disabilities and learning difficulties; children from Gypsy & Traveller communities; Black and Minority Ethnic children)
• Ensure that when we are working with children we are at least within sight or hearing of other adults
• Listen carefully to any child who ‘tells you’ (sometimes through drawings and behaviour as well as words) that they are being harmed and report what we have discovered immediately to an official
• Report immediately any suspicion that a child could be at risk of harm or abuse
• Never dismiss what a child tells as as ‘lies’ or exaggeration
• Ensure that all photographs taken by us are appropriate and tasteful
• Provide password protection to online images where requested. (N.B: We alway's password protect galleries for Swimming and Gymnastic events regardless)
• Remove any image from our site upon request of an official or parent/guardian of any child
• Takes steps to prevent any child being identified by any image or information provided
• Carry out background checks on all employed photographers
• Provide all our employees with photo ID identifying them as Wye Valley Events photographers

     We will NOT:

• Exaggerate or trivialise another worker’s concerns about a child or ignore an allegation or suspicion of abuse in the hope that it will either ‘go away’ or that ‘someone else will deal with it
• Discuss personal issues about a child or their family with other people except with an official when we are concerned about the child’s well being
• Be drawn into any derogatory remarks or gestures in front of children or young persons
• Allow a child, young person or adult to be bullied or harmed by anyone in the organisation
• Allow children to swear or use sexualized language unchallenged

     We will Never:

• Engage in rough or physical contact unless it is permitted within the rules of a game or sports activity or conforms to the guidance on appropriate physical restraint
• Form inappropriate emotional or physical relationships with children
• Harass or intimidate a child or worker because of age, ‘race’, gender, sexual orientation, religious belief, socio economic class or disability
• Engage in inappropriate conversation with children or young people.
• Identify a child by name, school, home address or other means
• Photograph children where parental permission has been withdrawn
• Share information or images with any third party