Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy and Procedures
1. Studio A Theatre Arts acknowledges its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of every child and young person who has been entrusted to its care and is committed to working to provide a safe environment for all members. A child or young person is anyone under the age of 18 engaged in any class activity.
2. The key principles of the Safeguarding Children Policy are that:
• The child’s welfare is, and must always be, the paramount consideration
• All children and young people have a right to be protected from abuse regardless of their age, gender, disability, race, sexual orientation, faith or belief
• All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately
• Working in partnership with other organisations, children and young people and their parents/carers is essential
We acknowledge that every child or person who participates in our classes should be able to take part in an enjoyable and safe environment and be protected from poor practice and abuse.
3. Studio A Theatre Arts has a role to play in safeguarding the welfare of all children and young people by protecting them from physical, sexual or emotional harm and from neglect or bullying. It is noted and accepted that the Safeguarding Children Policy and Procedures applies to everyone involved with the school, whether in a paid or voluntary capacity.
4. We endorse and adopt Responsible Recruitment guidelines for recruiting new teachers and volunteers and we will:
• Ensure all staff hold the relevant qualifications/ experience
• Request identification documents, an Enhanced DBS check and Public Liability Insurance proof from all adults working/ volunteering within the school.
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5. The principal of Studio A Theatre Arts, Amy Burrell, is the first point of contact for all who have concerns about the welfare of any child or young person. Mrs Burrell will be familiar with the procedures for referring any concerns.
6. We acknowledge and endorse the identification of bullying as a category of abuse. Bullying of any kind is not acceptable at our school. If bullying does occur, all participants or parents/carers should be able to tell and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly. Incidents need to be reported to the principal, and in cases of serious bullying, the appropriate disciplinary procedures will be put into place.
7. Reporting your concerns about the welfare of a child or young person. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. If you are worried about a child, it is important that you report your concerns.
• If you are worried about a child then you need to report your concerns to the Principal of Studio A Theatre Arts, Amy Burrell
• If the concern is more serious, such as suspected child abuse, there is a shared responsibility to ensure that the Local Authority are immediately contacted –either by Mrs Burrell or the person who has the specific concerns. The Local Authority will give advice and instruction as to whether a referral is required to the Police or Children’s Services
• If the child needs immediate medical treatment, take them to a hospital or call an ambulance and tell them there is a child protection concern. Let the Principal know what action you have taken, and they in turn will inform the appropriate governing bodies.
• If at any time you are not able to contact the principal, or the matter is clearly serious then you can either: − Contact the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board 0345 8503 503 − Contact the Police 01924 375 222 − Call the NSPCC 24 hour helpline for advice 0808 800 5000
8. Further information on safeguarding can be obtained from Principal Amy Burrell