POCA: Implications for Instructors and Members?

Q.
I help run a weekly community drumming group. We have approximately 50 members, all of whom are adults. Recently a 15 year old came along under the supervision of an adult.
Do we now fall under the POCA? If the supervising adult cannot be there what are the implications for the drumming instructors and other members of the group?

A.
Thanks for your question and concern about how your group is affected by the Protection of Children Act (POCA). Under the terms of the POCA, all organisations which are involved in the care of children in any way come into it. Although your group is not primarily a care organisation, the POCA also has a section dealing with other organisations, such as voluntary groups or leisure groups where children join in with activities. It sounds like your drumming group would come under the terms of the other organisations.
The official guidance says that, “Whilst the provision of the Protection of Children Act 1999 are not made mandatory for these organisations [e.g. the ‘other organisations as mentioned above], it is the Government’s hope that they will make referrals to the scheme. This is to ensure that they provide a comparable level of safety to children in their care as that offered within the regulated child care sector.”
So, although it may be a bit frustrating that you only have one child currently attending the group, and that there may even be a supervising adult with that child some of the time, it would be advisable to take the terms of the POCA into consideration. Most of all, this will add the reassurance that you’re covered and have gone by the government rules, plus it will mean that you could potentially have other children attending the group at a later time, should you wish.
Under the POCA, anyone working with children now needs to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, whether they are a paid employee or voluntary worker for an organisation. This will check their background and provide information about whether an individual has a criminal record or a criminal conviction. In this instance, it would be advisable for the drumming instructors to undergo a DBS check. Assuming the results are all fine, you will then be able to offer reassurance to the parents of the child who attends that all necessary checks have been made.
If the adult who has been supervising the child when attending the group can’t make it then, due to the age of the child, it would be advisable to have someone on hand – who has been DBS checked – to step in to the supervisory role.
Business energy with a difference
Looking for better business energy options? Whether it’s advanced monitoring, new connections, or adjusting capacity, our sponsor, Purely Energy can help.
📞 Call 0161 521 3400 or simply send us your details below for a no-obligation chat.
Sponsored by Purely Energy
Purely kindly sponsors this site. They help businesses deal with all aspects from securing the lowest prices, capacity upgrades, usage monitoring using their proprietory software, Purely Insights, and many other aspects. Need help with your commercial energy? Enter your details below and they’ll get back to you.
- How to Run a Respite Care Programme?
- Youth Club: What are Legal Child to Adult Ratios?
- Can a 17 Year Old Look After a Child?
- What Kind of Qualifications are Needed?
- Start a Creche from Home?
- POCA: Implications for Instructors and Members?
- How Do I Start my Career as a Family Support Worker?
- Should Sports Studio Instructors be DBS Checked?
- Will my Depression Stop me from Working with Children?
- Do Foreign Children Have a Right to A Classroom Assistant?
Re: Becoming a Special Needs Volunteer
My name is Cynthia , and I have a strong interest in supporting children with special needs. I deeply admire the work your…
Re: Becoming a Special Needs Volunteer
Dear Sir/Madam, My name is Emayak Blessing Ochonogor. I will be 34 years old this November the 25th. I am writing this…
Re: Working at a Children's Home
Hi I am just wondering I am keen to work I. A children home having been in care myself I have no gcsc in childcare
Re: Working in Respite Care for Children
Hello, there As lots of people here seem to be, I am an SEMH/SEND teacher and have met multiple parents over the years…
Re: Working as a Learning Support Assistant
Hi I am working as Learning support worker level 2. How can i upgrade my level to get better pay . Please Guide me…
Re: Becoming a Special Needs Volunteer
I have been in the caring profession all my working life . Was in the army in QARANC , senior auxiliary nursing residents…
Re: Becoming a Special Needs Volunteer
Have worked in the care field all my working life . Support worker with children with behaviour problems. Senior auxiliary…
Re: Creches
Hi, I passed my LV3 Childcare online and worked day to day in different nursery for the nursery manager it’s not a reel experience and it’s right I don’t…
Re: What You Need to Know About Being a Scout Leader
Is work at jim's on a On a farm. And stuff around the house.
Re: Becoming a Special Needs Volunteer
Dear Sir/madam, I'm interested in volunteering in SNE field as a volunteer as eventually would like to work in this field…