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Theatre Spark
SAFEGUARDING Policy and Procedures
Introduction
Theatre Spark makes a positive contribution to a strong and safe community and recognises the right of every individual to stay safe. Theatre Spark comes into contact with children and / or vulnerable adults through the delivery of performing arts activities. The types of contact with children and / or vulnerable adults is general contact. This policy seeks to ensure that Theatre Spark undertakes its responsibilities with regard to protection of children and / or vulnerable adults and will respond to concerns appropriately. The policy establishes a framework to support paid and unpaid staff in their practices and clarifies the organisation’s expectations.
Legislation
The principal pieces of legislation governing this policy are: The Care Act 2016, Working together to Safeguard Children 2015, The Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, The Children Act 2004, The Adoption and Children Act 2002, Care Standards Act 2000, Human Rights Act 1998, Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998, The Police Act – CRB 1997, The Children Act 1989, Mental Health Act 1983, NHS and Community Care Act 1990, and the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
Definitions
Safeguarding is about embedding practices throughout the organisation to ensure the protection of children and / or vulnerable adults wherever possible. In contrast, child and adult protection is about responding to circumstances that arise. Abuse is a selfish act of oppression and injustice, exploitation and manipulation of power by those in a position of authority. This can be caused by those inflicting harm or those who fail to act to prevent harm. Abuse is not restricted to any socio-economic group, gender or culture. It can take a number of forms, including: physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological or emotional abuse, neglect or omission to act, financial or material abuse, child sexual exploitation, modern slavery, self-neglect, domestic abuse, institutional abuse, discriminatory abuse, harassment and radicalisation.
Definition of a child: A child is under the age of 18 (as defined in the United Nations convention on the Rights of a Child).
Definition of a vulnerable adult: A vulnerable adult is a person aged 18 years or over who may be unable to take care of themselves or protect themselves from harm or from being exploited. This may include a person who: Is elderly and frail; Has a mental illness including dementia; Has a physical or sensory disability; Has a learning disability; Has a severe physical illness; Is a substance misuser; Is homeless.
Responsibilities
Director and actor Kevin Davey is Theatre Spark’s sole employee and designated safeguarding lead. He has responsibility for following the guidance laid out in this policy and related policies, and to deal with any welfare concerns using the required procedures. He will promote good practice by being an excellent role model, contribute to discussions about safeguarding and positively involve people in developing safe practices. His additional specific responsibilities are to promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults participating in Theatre Spark classes, events and activities, take forward and deal with safeguarding concerns, keep up to date with safeguarding and DBS arrangements and best practice and, to ensure this policy is implemented, monitored and reviewed.
Implementation Stages
The scope of this Safeguarding Policy is broad ranging and in practice, it will be implemented via a range of policies and procedures within the organisation including Theatre Spark’s Privacy Policy. Theatre Spark ensures safe recruitment by providing a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) records check for its director and tutor Kevin Davey.
Professional boundaries
Professional boundaries are what define the limits of a relationship between a worker and a client. Theatre Spark works hard to uphold standards which allow teaching relationships to exist while ensuring the correct detachment is kept in place.
Reporting
All individuals should raise and report safeguarding concerns with designated safeguarding lead Kevin Davey. If the concern or allegation is regarding the designated safeguarding lead, or if an individual is not satisfied that their concerns have been properly addressed, Kevin Davey will signpost to a relevant external agency to progress the complaint.
Monitoring
Theatre Spark will monitor the following Safeguarding aspects: that DBS checks are undertaken; that a reporting procedure is in place and that there is monitoring of the reporting of concerns and subsequent actions; that the Safeguarding Policy is up-to-date and relevant; and, that a Designated Safeguarding Lead is named.
Managing Information
Information will be gathered, recorded and stored in accordance with the Theatre Spark’s Privacy Policy.
The Theatre Spark team has a professional duty to share information with other agencies in order to safeguard children and vulnerable adults. The public interest in safeguarding children and vulnerable adults may override confidentiality interests. However, information will be shared on a need to know basis only, as judged by the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
Communicating and reviewing the policy
Theatre Spark will make clients aware of the Safeguarding Policy by referring to the Policy within enrolment literature and maintaining the up-to-date Policy on its website. This Policy will be reviewed every 2 years and when there are changes in legislation.
Digital Signature: KEVIN DAVEY, Director, Theatre Spark
Date signed: October 2019
Review date: October 2022
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