Terms and Conditions

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The following policies apply for training given to a child under the age of 18.

All children have an absolute right to a childhood free from abuse, neglect and exploitation.  

The Human Intelligence ('HI') Company works with children in conducting presentations and workshops in schools and colleges.

Statement of Purpose

The purpose of this policy and the procedures contained in it is to ensure, as far as possible, that people who may abuse children do not get the opportunity to do so: 

• To protect children and children who access services provided by The HI Company; and
• To provide parents/guardians, staff and trainers with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection. 

This policy applies to everyone working on behalf of The HI Company.

All adults involved in The HI Company’s activities and who come into contact with children have a duty of care to safeguard and promote their welfare. 

There is a duty placed upon us to ensure that all adults who work with or on behalf of our children are competent, confident and safe to do so. 

• Adults working or volunteering for The HI Company in any capacity are responsible for their own actions and behaviour. They should avoid any conduct that would lead a reasonable person to question their motivation or intention. 
• Everyone involved in The HI Company activities must follow The HI Company’s Code of Conduct. 

This policy has been drawn up based on legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children in England. A summary of the key legislation and guidance is available from  https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/child-protection-system/england/.

We believe that:

• Children should never experience abuse of any kind; and
• We have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and children, to keep them safe and to practise in a way that protects them.

We recognise that:  

• The welfare of the child is paramount;
• All children, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation, have a right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse 
• Some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues;
• Working in partnership with children, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting children’s welfare;

We will seek to keep children safe by:

• Valuing, listening to and respecting them;
• Appointing a nominated child protection/safeguarding lead, a deputy child protection/safeguarding lead and a Director for safeguarding;
• Developing child protection and safeguarding policies and procedures which reflect best practice;
• Using our safeguarding procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know, and involving children, parents, families and carers appropriately;
• Creating and maintaining an anti-bullying environment and ensuring that we have a policy and procedure to help us deal effectively with any bullying that does arise;
• Developing and implementing an effective online safety policy and related procedures;
• Sharing information about child protection and safeguarding best practice with children, their families, staff, self-employed trainers and volunteers;
• Recruiting staff, self-employed trainers and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made;
• Providing effective management for staff, self-employed trainers and volunteers through supervision, support, training and quality assurance measures;
• Implementing a code of conduct for staff, trainers and volunteers;
• Using our procedures to manage any allegations against staff, self-employed trainers and volunteers appropriately;
• Ensuring that we have effective complaints and whistleblowing measures in place;
• Ensuring that we provide a safe physical environment for our children, staff, self-employed trainers and volunteers by applying health and safety measures following the law and regulatory guidance;
• Recording and storing information professionally and securely.

Photographs & Filming

Children, and their parents/carers, have the right to decide whether their images are taken and how they are used, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation and have the choice to opt out. 

Children, and their parents/carers, will be asked to provide written consent before images are taken and will be specifically informed for what purpose the images will be used prior to giving their consent and how the images will be stored. 

We understand the risks of sharing images, particularly online, so we will reduce these risks by only using images of children in appropriate clothing, avoiding full face and body shots, only using first names and using images that positively reflect the child’s involvement in the activity they are participating in for the photos or filming.

Code of Conduct

All adults coming into contact with children and children through The HI Company’s work must  comply with this Child Protection and Safeguarding Children Policy and this Code of Conduct at all times.  

You must: 

• Treat all children with respect.
• Work in an open and transparent way.
• Avoid being alone with a child or cause someone else to be alone with a child because of your actions eg being late. If alone in a room with children, keep the door open at all times. Sit on another side of the table. Inform another person you are with the child.
• Remember that someone else might misinterpret your actions, no matter how well-intentioned so always be transparent in every action and behaviour done with children.
• Be aware that physical contact with a child can be misinterpreted and should always be avoided. Shaking hands in a public setting is considered acceptable.
• Be aware that social networking sites are in the public domain if not protected by privacy settings. Privacy settings must be activated so that children would not be able to access your online profiles and if any information about you is in the public domain and brings The HI Company into disrepute your employment could be compromised.
• Block any children that approach you online and inform The HI Company directors immediately.
• Recognise that special caution is required when discussing sensitive issues with children.
• Challenge unacceptable behaviour and report all allegations/suspicions of abuse to The HI Company directors.
• Operate within The HI Company’s procedures in the event of any disclosure/concern raised by any child.
• Raise any questions or concerns about child protection or safeguarding with The HI Company’s directors without delay, or if unsure of a school’s procedure, information should be sought from school staff. 
• Be aware of your own safety and security. Always have a mobile phone charged and available to you but not out and visible during training sessions. 

You must not: 

• Enter a venue alone to conduct training with a child without a parent/carer of the child, or school staff member, being present.
• Promise confidentiality to children in any situation.
• Seek out or add children on any personal or professional social networking site.
• Respond to any online communication from a child, for example, on a social networking site. 
• Share any personal contact details (including email addresses, telephone numbers, addresses or any other contact information) with children, or, seek out their personal contact details.
• Arrange to meet a child outside (offline & online) of the allocated training time, unless on the school premises and with the prior knowledge of a staff member.
• Act in a manner that excludes the children you are working with.
• Make suggestive or derogatory remarks in front of children.
• Have inappropriate physical contact or verbal contact with children.
• Show favouritism to any individual.
• Be under the influence of alcohol or other substances when working on activities involving children.
• Take photographs of children.

Upholding this code of behaviour

You should always follow this code of behaviour and never rely on your reputation or our organisation’s reputation to protect you. If you have behaved inappropriately, you will be subject to our disciplinary procedures. Depending on the seriousness of the situation, you may be asked to leave The HI Company. We may also need to make a referral to statutory agencies such as the police and/or the local authority child protection services. If you become aware of any breaches of this code, you must report them to the directors of The HI Company immediately.

Directors of The HI Company

The Director/Management of The HI Company shall:

• Conduct a rigorous interview with questions including safeguarding children with trainers before they are permitted to join The HI Company, ensuring references and that a complete vetting process has been followed. 
• Ensure that any dispute between persons using The HI Company is handled efficiently and fairly without discrimination in accordance with the procedures set out here.
• Deal with reports of possible illegal activity promptly, ensuring the safety and well-being of the student and/or trainer in accordance with the procedures set out here.
• If appropriate, report to The HI Company’s other directors or employ the services of an independent Child Protection consultant to review a report concerning the welfare of a student ensuring an appropriate course of action is taken.
• Regularly review the policy and procedures to ensure they are relevant and adequate to safeguard all persons using The HI Company.

In-person Training

We request that a school staff member is present for the total duration of each in-person workshop or presentation. Alternatively, two DBS-checked HIC trainers, volunteers or directors will be provided for the safety and welfare of all parties.

UK Government DBS checks

Our trainers have exceptional and extensive experience in teaching children and young adults, and all have passed the UK government’s DBS checks.

All self-employed trainers must either:

• Have an existing enhanced DBS check not more than two years old verified by a member of The HI Company staff, with the disclosure number and date of  issue recorded, along with photographic ID and original certificate seen by The HI Company directors; or
• Arrange with The HI Company to have a new enhanced DBS check processed by The HI Company. Where a new enhanced DBS is obtained, the self-employed trainer must register with the Update Service. Once on the Update Service, The HI Company will conduct an annual check with the Update Service of all self-employed trainers on their roster.