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Safeguarding policy

  1. Introduction

 

  1. (the Organisation)VICTORYLAND THEATRE SCHOOL (the Company) is a company run for the following purpose:

 

Providing extra curricular tutoring in theatre skills mainly but not limited to drama, dance, & singing lessons.

 

We are a performance based company providing opportunities to showcase talent in a variety of locations throughout the year.

 

We work with children and young people aged 4-19 years to provide a fun environment in which to teach our students theatre skills and encourage individual growth and life skills.

 

  1. The Company is based at:

 

14 Andover Road

Southsea

P04 9QG

 

Company Number: 03731569

 

  1. The Company has adopted this safeguarding children policy and expects every adult working or helping at VICTORYLAND THEATRE SCHOOL to support it and comply with it. Consequently this policy shall apply to all staff, managers, trustees, directors, volunteers, students or anyone working on behalf of the Company.

 

  1. Purpose of the Policy

 

  1. This policy is intended to protect children and young people who receive any service from us.

  2. The Company believes that no child or young person should experience abuse or harm and is committed to the protection of children and young people.  This policy is intended to provide guidance and overarching principles to those who represent us as volunteers or staff, to guide our approach to child protection and safeguarding.

  3. The company have a commitment to training and all staff have relevant safeguarding training which is updated regularly.

 

 

  1. The Risks to Children

 

Nearly every child grows up in a safe and happy environment and it is important not to exaggerate or overestimate the dangers. Nevertheless, there are situations where children need protection including but not limited to:

 

  • Sexual abuse;

  • Grooming;

  • Physical and emotional abuse and neglect;

  • Domestic violence;

  • Inappropriate supervision by staff or volunteers;

  • Bullying including cyber bullying;

  • Acts of violence and aggression within our setting;

  • Victimisation;

  • Self-harm;

  • Trafficking

  • Female genital mutilation

  • Unsafe environments and activities;

  • Crime; and

  • Exploitation.

 

  1. Universality of Protection

 

The Company recognises that

  • The welfare of the child is paramount;

  • All children regardless of race including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, gender, gender reassignment, religion or belief, disability, age, sexual orientation or identity, being pregnant, have a right to equal protection from harm;

  • Some children are more vulnerable to harm as a result of their circumstances, prior experiences, communication needs or level of dependency; and

  • Working with children, young people, their parents and/or guardians, carers or other agencies is essential to protecting their wellbeing.

 

 

  1. Safeguarding Children at Events/Activities

    1. There are three kinds of events/activities:

 

(A). those open to adults and children of all ages;

         

(8). those for children accompanied by a 'parent/guardian'; and

 

(C). those for unaccompanied children, which are sometimes run alongside other events/activities.

 

  1. At events and activities open to all ages, children under 16 must be accompanied throughout by an adult over the age of 18 who not only brings the child but also takes the child home again afterwards. Young people may attend unaccompanied if they bring the written consent and mobile telephone number of one of their parents.

  2. At events and activities for children accompanied by a 'parent', children under 16 must be supervised throughout the event by an adult over the age of 18.  

  3. At events and activities for unaccompanied children, children under the age of 16 must be enrolled by a responsible adult before being left with the event leader. The enrolment must record the child's name, age and address and the names and addresses of the child's parents/guardian, plus the parents/guardians mobile telephone number.  A minimum of 2 numbers should be provided.  

  4. Both events and activities are to be defined broadly to include any occasions where the Company will be providing a service.

 

 

  1. Disclosure and Barring

 

  1. The Company offers the following activities for children:

 

Drama, Dance and Singing lessons

Theatre Performances

 

  1. Some of our activities may therefore require adult participants or adult leaders to undergo an enhanced DBS and/or police checks under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 and in line with KCSIE (September 2021). The required level of checking (if any) will broadly reflect the degree and frequency of unsupervised access given to other people's children.

 

  1. The Company will take very seriously any allegation of impropriety on the part of any member of the Company. A member of the Company who discovers anything amiss should get in touch immediately with the following:

 

LORRAINE HEPBURN - PRINCIPAL in the first instance

or

JULIA POTTER – TEACHER

 

  1. Allegations will be appropriately reviewed and the likely risk to children and, if appropriate, will consider banning the member from future events or revoking his or her membership or both, but only in full accordance with the rules and procedures of the Company. 

  2. Allegations may be reported to the Police and or Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) at the Local Authority and or the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) if deemed appropriate and necessary.  A member of the company can contact the Police, MASH or LADO directly without reporting to the safeguarding lead should they feel it appropriate and necessary.

 

  1. Prevention of bullying

 

We will not tolerate the bullying of children either by adults or by other children. If any incident of child-on-child bullying should arise at the Company event, those involved will be separated immediately and the parents of the children involved will be informed asked to support with any necessary action.The Team will review all incidents of child-on-child bullying and assess the likely future risk to children. A restorative approach will be taken where applicable. Where appropriate the Team will consider banning a child from future events, but only in full accordance with the rules and procedures of the Company. Allegations of adults bullying children will be dealt with in accordance with this Policy and the LADO will be informed where appropriate.

 

 

  1. Photographing Children

 

No photos will be taken or published of any child attending an event or activity unless prior written permission is sought from a person with parental responsibility. If any person has any concerns regarding any person taking photos at an event or activity, that person should contact the Company immediately.

 

  1. Record keeping

Details relating to confidentiality, information sharing and record keeping are detailed in our Privacy Policy.

 

  1. Managing, Behaviour, Discipline and Acceptable Restraint

 

  1. Adults supervising children at the Company events must never use any form of corporal punishment. If physical restraint is absolutely necessary to prevent injury to any person or to prevent serious damage to property, then the minimum necessary restraint may be used - but for that purpose only.

 

  1. Unacceptable behaviour at the Company events for unaccompanied children will generally be stopped by separating the children from each other and from the group. The miscreants will be suitably supervised and will be returned as soon as possible to the care of their parents.

 

  1. The Company may apply a further disciplinary sanction; namely the banning of the child from one or more future events. Any such sanction would be determined and applied by the following officer: JULIA POTTER.

 

  1. A parent who is aggrieved by this ban may appeal to the Company who will hear the views of all relevant persons. The decision of the Company is then final. Any such appeals should be made to, and will be determined by the following officer: LORRAINE HEPBURN - PRINCIPAL.

 

 

 

  1. Legal Framework

This policy has been drawn up in accordance with the following legislation and guidance:

  • Children Act 1989

  • United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child

  • General Data Protection Regulation

  • Data Protection Act 2018

  • Human Rights Act 1998

  • Children Act 2004

  • Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006

  • Protection of Freedoms Act 2012

  • Children and Families Act 2014

  • Children and Social Work 2017

  • What to do if you're worried a child is being abused: advice for practitioners (Department of Education, 2015)

  • Working together to safeguard children (Department for Education, 2018)

  • KCSIE (Sept 2021)

  • Working Together to Safeguard Children (December 2023)

This Policy is approved and robustly endorsed by VICTORYLAND THEATRE SCHOOL and is due for review every 12 months.

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