Safeguarding Policy

1. Context

Part of the company’s activity, and primarily the participation work, involves working with children and young people. The purpose of this policy is to protect children, young people and adults at risk of harm and provides the company, stakeholders and the public with the overarching principles that guide our approach to doing so.

2. Aims

The aims of our Safeguarding Policy and Procedures are:

·     To ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone who we work with whether as a staff member, board member, volunteer, freelance artist, performer or participant.

·     To ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children, young people and adults at risk who directly engage in Forced Entertainment’s Participation programmes.

·     To enable those children, young people and adults at risk to engage in our work in a safe and welcoming environment.

·     To implement best practice in the safeguarding of children, young people and adults at risk in the planning and delivery of our Participation programme.

·     To ensure children, young people and adults at risk are respected, taken seriously and listened to.

3. Policy

Forced Entertainment is committed to practice that protects children, young people and adults at risk from harm.  As a company we firmly believe that:

·     All children, young people and adults at risk whatever their age, culture, disability, gender identity or expression, sexuality, language or religious beliefs have the right to protection from abuse and a life free from exploitation.

·     Abuse in whatever form is unacceptable and should be brought to the attention of the proper authorities.

·     Everyone working with children, young people and adults at risk has a responsibility for the safety and wellbeing of each child/person in our care.  Children, young people and adults at risk should feel safe and able to speak out if this is not the case.

·     All staff will play a part in the prevention of abuse and neglect and must be aware of and alert to signs of abuse.

·     In the case of children, parents and carers should feel confident that their child is safe in our care and can hold us as providers to account.

4. Principles

Forced Entertainment will endeavour to safeguard the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk through the following principles:

·     Awareness: We ensure that all staff, freelance workers, trustees and volunteers are aware of abuse and the risks facing children, young people and adults at risk, via this policy, our safeguarding procedures document and relevant training.

·     Prevention:  We ensure, through our awareness and good practice, that staff and others minimise the risks facing children, young people and adults at risk.

·     Reporting: We ensure that staff and others involved in our work are clear what steps to take if concerns arise regarding the safety of children, young people and adults at risk.

·     Responding: We ensure that action is taken to support and protect children, young people and adults at risk where concerns arise regarding possible abuse.

5. Legal Framework

This policy has been drawn up on the basis of law and guidance that seeks to protect children, young people and adults at risk, namely:

·     Department for Education (DfE) (2020) Keeping children safe in out-of-school settings: code of practice.

·     Department for Education (DfE) (2018) Working together to safeguard children: a guide to interagency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.

·     The Care Act 2014

·     Children Act 1989

·     United Convention of the Rights of the Child 199

·     Data Protection Act 1998

·     Human Rights Act 1998

·     Mental Capacity Act 2005

·     Sexual Offences Act 2003

·     Children Act 2004

·     Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006

·     Protection of Freedoms Act 2012

·     Children and Families Act 2014

·     Special educational needs and disability (SEND) code of practice: 0 to 25 years – Statutory guidance for organisations which work with and support children and young people who have special educational needs or disabilities; HM Government 2014.

6. Scope

The Safeguarding Policy and Safeguarding Procedures apply to everyone who works for and on behalf of Forced Entertainment including staff, freelance workers, trustees and volunteers.

The Designated Safeguarding Lead is responsible for developing and reviewing the organisation’s Safeguarding Policy statement and other care and protection policies and guidelines. This will be reviewed on an annual basis.