SAFEGUARDING POLICY
This policy was last updated: 13th December 2023
Policy Statement
Drama Tots is committed to creating and maintaining a safe and positive environment for children to participate in activities offered by Drama Tots.
As a minimum requirement all staff are required to adhere to this Safeguarding Policy and the practices, procedures and guidelines and adopt the Policy Statement in full.
As defined in the Children’s Act 1989 anyone under the age of 18 years should be considered as a child for the purposes of this document.
Child Protection is the specific aspect of safeguarding that protects children from harm, or abuse or risk of harm or abuse.
Our Key Principles
The welfare of a child is paramount;
All children regardless of age, gender, ability or disability, faith, size, language or sexual identity, have the right to protection from harm;
All children have a right to have a childhood free of abuse, neglect or exploitation;
All allegations, suspicions of harm and concerns will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly, fairly and appropriately;
We work to promote the welfare, health and development of children.
Types of abuse
Abuse is the violation of an individual’s human and civil right usually for gratification. In the terms of safeguarding it is used to refer to any intentional or negligent act by another and any form of abuse is usually perpetrated as the result of deliberate intent.
Physical – deliberate injury to a person however slight.
Emotional – Persistent ill treatment of a person that adversely affect their wellbeing or development. Emotional abuse is involved in all types of harm but can also occur on its own.
Sexual – the involvement of sexual activities when a person does not want or understand or who is unable to validate effective consent. This may include sexual assault, rape, exposure to inappropriate material or inappropriate sexual contact.
Neglect – continuous failure to prevent harm, not meeting a person’s basic needs and/or psychological needs. Can impair health and development.
Online abuse - is any type of abuse that happens on the web, whether through social networks playing online games or using mobile phones. Children and young people may experience cyberbullying, grooming, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation or emotional abuse.
FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) – it is illegal in the UK and refers to a surgical procedure that intentionally change or cause injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. It is also illegal to take a female out of the UK to do this.
Bullying – when either an individual or group of people engage in behaviour that is degrading, demeaning, aggressive, threatening and/or intimidating towards others.
Sexual exploitation – a type of sexual abuse where children are sexually exploited for power, status and/or money.
Radicalisation – is defined as a process when those who are vulnerable come to support terrorism and/or violent extremism to directly participate in or support terrorist groups.
Our Recruitment Process
Drama Tots follows a robust recruitment procedure and we require all applicants applying to work with us to provide suitable references. All teachers must have a DBS check to ensure the safety of children in the course of providing activities. DBS checks provided to us must be up-to-date with any additional evidence as we determine appropriate in the circumstances.
If we have any concerns about the suitability of an applicant to be a teacher with us, we will take additional measures as we determine appropriate and may reject an application at our discretion.
The Role of Teachers
Teachers conducting classes on our behalf are responsible for their own actions and behaviour and should avoid any conduct that would lead a reasonable person to question their motivation or intention.
All teachers must agree to follow our Code of Conduct.
Teachers must be familiar with the steps to be taken in the event of becoming aware of, suspecting or receiving allegations of abuse.
Teachers should not take photographs or recordings of a child on their own cameras, mobiles or other devices unless given express permission to do so by the Parent.
Disclosures by a child
If a child starts to talk to an adult about potential abuse it is important not to promise the child complete confidentiality. This promise cannot be kept. It is vital that the child is allowed to talk openly, and any disclosure is not forced or words put into the child’s mouth. Leading questions shouldn’t be asked, and no child should be interrogated. Under no circumstances should the person to whom details are disclosed, confront the alleged abuser.
As soon as possible after the disclosure it is vital details are recorded accurately and the matter reported as appropriate and as expeditiously as possible. Detailed notes should relate to facts and observations and avoid assumptions or drawing conclusions.
Reporting a disclosure
Teachers can report any concerns about a child to the Franchisee/Franchisor. The designated person will immediately inform the Children Services Referral Team by telephone.
NSPCC: (0808 800 5000)
We do not investigate any allegations of harm to a child but will ensure that this information is passed on to the appropriate authority, without delay.
Contacts for support and reporting
NSPCC
(For adults concerned about a child – 24 hours) 0808 800 5000
Police (non-emergency) 101
Safeguarding overrides confidentiality and data protection legislation.
Dealing with a disclosure from a child, and safeguarding issues can be stressful. The member of staff should, therefore, consider seeking support for him/herself.
Allegations against a teacher
If a parent has a concern about the behaviour or conduct of a teacher, the matter should be reported to the appropriate authority without delay. If there is a suspicion of criminal activity, the matter should be referred to the police.
Drama Tots reserves the right to suspend a teacher from conducting classes on our behalf on a temporary or permanent basis if we have reasonable suspicion or concern that the teacher is unsuitable to work with children.
Relevant Legislation
In order to safeguard and promote the welfare of children we will act in accordance with the following legislation and guidance:
The Children Act 1998
The Children Act 2004
Education Act 2002 (section 175)
Local Safeguarding Partnership Inter-agency Child Protection and Safeguarding Children Procedures
Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education (DfES 2006) - Keeping Children Safe in Education Statutory Guidance 2018
Working Together to Safeguard Children (HM Government 2018)
Dealing with Allegations of Abuse Against Teachers and Other Staff (DfE 2011)
Appendix
Generally, in an abusive relationship a child may:
Appear frightened of the parent/s or other household members e.g. siblings or others outside of the home
Act in a way that is inappropriate to her/his age and development (full account needs to be taken of different patterns of development and different ethnic groups)
Display insufficient sense of ‘boundaries’, lack stranger awareness
Appear wary of adults
Below are a list of some of the signs of physical abuse, sexual abuse and the impact of emotional abuse:
Physical Abuse
Multiple bruising to various parts of the body
Outline bruises- hand marks/ slipper prints straps
Bi-lateral black eyes
Symmetrical bruising
Sexual Abuse
Sexually transmitted diseases
Severe and persistent self harming
Genital injuries- alleged accidents with bikes, spikes, fences, self-inflicted- with attendant damage- bruising, tears etc
Pregnancy where identity of father is vague or secret
Itching/ soreness and bleeding to genital/ anal areas
Impact of Emotional Abuse
Low self-esteem / self-worth
Behavioural difficulties (overly passive, overly aggressive, promiscuous attachment etc)
Poor educational attainment
Depression and anxiety
Dissociation and detachment