Information & Advice

Child Protection Policy

The Academi aims to safeguard the welfare of children and young people whilst attending or participating in the arts. The Academi is committed to good practice which protects children and young people from harm. In addition, the Academi will provide clear guidance to its partners and clients on actions they should take, if they have concerns about the safety of children and young people.

The Academi has its own in–house Child Protection Policy that complies with the requirements which the Arts Council of Wales places on its clients throughout Wales. Copies of this Policy are available on request.

With particular regard to the Academi’s funding schemes, the main points are as follows:

• All new applicants for admission to the Writers on Tour lists have to attest that they have no relevant convictions. They must supply two references, one of whom must be from the education sector if they are seeking to work with children or young people. The presence of a writer on the Writers on Tour lists does not mean that they are necessarily an appropriate choice to work with children or young people.
  
• When the Academi sends its event confirmation letter to writers, a passage is included which draws writers’ attention to the fact that organisers may seek to run formal police checks on their suitability for particular projects and events.
  
• The scheme paperwork requires organisers to sign an agreement which, among other matters, affirms that they are satisfied that the writer they have booked is an appropriate choice if the event involves children or young people.
  Organisers must remember that, under the terms of the Academi’s schemes, the event belongs to the organisation arranging it and it is their responsibility to ensure that only appropriate writers are engaged.

Similarly, the Academi takes responsibility for its own directly organised events.