Policy Statement

The Balham Community Centre staff do from time to time take photos of children. The photos are used to record, activities, trips, special events.

Staff, visitors, volunteers and students are not permitted to use their own mobile phones to take or record any images of children.

Procedure

• We are required by Ofsted to have written permission to take photographs and use video recorders. On occasion we might like to use photographs/ recordings of the children taking part in an activity to advertise/ promote our clubs via our website, leaflets etc. We will seek parental consent do this. (Photography Permission is part of our enrolment procedure).

• Photographs will be stored on the Balham Community Centre network, which is password protected, until the Centre no longer requires them, we will them ensure all items are shredded or deleted from the network.

• Photographs are printed in the Centre by staff and images are then removed from the cameras memory.

• Photographs may be taken during indoor and outdoor activities; often photographs may contain other children in the background.

• Staff are not to use their mobile phones during their working day.

Balham Community Centre counselling staff/volunteers are to use their mobile phones in the office or counselling rooms only.

• Many mobile phones have inbuilt cameras, staff mobile phones must be turned off, must not be carried around in staff pockets and should be left with personal belongings in lockers provided.

• Cameras and mobile phones are prohibited in the toilet areas.

• If staff are expecting a personal emergency call then the call should be through the club mobile telephone number.

• Staff are not to make personal calls during their working hours.

• Staff are not permitted to take any photographs or recordings on their mobile phones.

• Staff are not permitted to use personal cameras. Club staff wishing to take photographs of the children for displays or observations are to use the club digital camera only.

• The club mobile phone is to be used for making and receiving calls only. Staff are not permitted to take photographs or recordings on these phones.

This policy clarifies exactly how we will and will not use photographs of the children:

We will use photographs:

• To record The Early Years Foundation Stage achievements.

• To record events and outings that the children participate in.

• For display purposes

• In our club albums

• As evidence of the activities and outings we provide and to show Ofsted during an inspection.

Older children sometimes bring their mobile phones to club. These must switched off and stored securely in a locked cupboard during clubs hours.

Inappropriate use of mobile phones and digital photography can have a negative impact upon staff and the reputation of the Centre. Where it is believed that a staff member has failed to comply with this policy, they will face Disciplinary Procedures.