by Author Lucinda Bristow

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Locating the Ideal Workshop Space for Looked After Children - Things to consider.

Having successfully run two years of the Hope Creative Project (choir for looked after children), we have been looking into finding two new centres to run the projects from. But it clearly isn't as simple as finding an old empty hall for us to work in...

Having successfully run two years of the Hope Creative Project (choir for looked after children), we have been looking into finding two new centres to run the projects from. But it clearly isn't as simple as finding an old empty hall for us to work in...

Location:

Have you chosen a location which is easily accessible for people who may have to travel by bus/walk/drive? We have chosen two areas; one located in North Bristol and one in South Bristol so hopefully we can reach out to a wider range of people and to make it as easy and as convenient as possible to get to. 

Safety:

  • Risk Assessments - A risk assessment must be put together when considering using space for looked after children. It should be referred back to regularly throughout the duration of the project as circumstances can change when working in hired out spaces. You can see examples of risk assessments here: http://www.hse.gov.uk/risk/casestudies/. Anything deemed as a possible risk to anybody should be included in all spaces that you use, even outside the venue (car park/gardens etc). Many of the points detailed below should also be included in risk assessments.
  • Alarm - Looked after children are vulnerable so we need to ensure the space is secure as possible. Alarmed buildings with secure entries are fantastic but do a couple of run-throughs before your first session. The last thing you would want is to create panic and havoc setting off alarms unnecessarily! The children may already be nervous as it would be their first time in new surroundings. Alarmed, secure buildings are great, but there are ways of working without them...
  • Privacy/Security - The spaces used would preferably be private and secure. Absolutely no access to general public. If caretakers/premises owners are going to be in/around the premises, music leaders should be notified with the caretakers/owners details. The caretakers/owners should also be prepared to be asked who they are upon meeting during sessions. 
  • Front of House Staff - If there is no door locking system/secure entry a member of staff should be present at the entrance of the building to welcome carers/children who would have already pre booked into session. this is to ensure that nobody enters the building expectantly. After everybody has arrived, entrance doors should then be secured/locked throughout the duration of the session. 
  • Fire Procedures - Hired venues will have their own fire procedures and regulations with fire exits and emergency meeting point, so ask to see a copy of procedures and make sure that all music leaders and staff are aware of these before the first session. Also, be aware of any potential risks getting to emergency meeting point and include in risk assessment. For instance, in one of the venues we are using, the meeting point is across a small road. 

Accessability and Environment: 

  • Parking - Is there suitable or safe places to park? We always encourage carers to stay with the children for at least the first few sessions until they are settled a familiarized with the setting and staff so it is important to make it as easy as possible for carers to stay. 
  • Welcoming atmosphere/Surroundings - Allowing young people and their carers to feel welcome is also high on the priority list, tying in with the quality framework with available recourses being use to make surroundings comfortable and appropriate: 
  1. Is there heating?
  2. Is it OK to make noise?
  3. Consider possible ASD or conditions alike - smells, light, touch, sounds.
  4. Are there kitchen facilities available for young people and carers to have drinks and refreshments and settle or socialise?
  5. Workshop Space?
  6. Workshop Space - consideration should be given to physical space. A large room or hall would be suitable. Room would be needed to make a circle and move freely. If a room is large and possibly intimidating consider using available recourses by sectioning a part of the room off using tables or making workshop space within a circle of chairs. There should be sufficient materials/equipment to support activities: 
  7. ​Keyboard/Piano
  8. Stereo
  9. Wifi connection (not essential if music is downloaded before sessions)
  10. Plug sockets
  11. Any extra instruments. 

Of course, the venue need not supply all of these if music leaders/organisation are happy to bring them. e​All electrical good should be PAT tested before work. 

**You may also want to consider acoustics in room!

Break Off Space - Carers are usually required to stay, at least for the first few sessions that the young people attend the sessions. It can be off putting for young people if the carers are sat in the workshop space watching. Carers may also feel the need to intervene during sessions which is not required. A break off space is great for this reason. A large kitchen with room for seating is ideal - this way, carers can drink tea and socialise with other carers and give feedback and chat to music leaders/activists which is essential for evaluation purposes. This is also a good area for young people to "Hang out" during breaks. It is a shift of focus, relaxed and encourages conversation and reflection. Other rooms can be used as a break off space but it would be a good idea to have refreshments available in this space at all times. 

 

I'm really looking forward to getting cracking in these new centres and working with new looked after children and meeting their carers. My next blog will be on setting up and organisation before each session. If you are looking to start up a similar thing - good luck and please do leave feedback if you have come across any thing else on your search for a suitable venue.