The Ten Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy
1. Introduction
The Ten is dedicated to creating a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment for young people aged 18 and over who participate in our various programs. These programs include acting workshops (in-person and online), private one-to-one acting coaching, self-tape support sessions, and our drama school support scheme. Additionally, we operate a photography studio, *The Tenancy*, where actor photography takes place. While most of our services are aimed at individuals aged 18+, on occasions when individuals under the age of 18 participate, additional safeguarding measures are in place to ensure their safety and well-being.
This policy outlines our commitment to safeguarding and the procedures we follow to ensure the protection of all young people in our care, particularly those under 18.
2. Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to:
- Ensure the safety and well-being of all young people who engage with The Ten’s services.
- Outline the procedures and guidelines that The Ten follows to protect young people from abuse, exploitation, or neglect.
- Set clear expectations for all staff, freelancers, contractors, and volunteers working with The Ten in relation to safeguarding and child protection.
- Provide guidance on how to report any concerns regarding child safety.
3. Scope
This policy applies to:
- All staff (full-time, part-time, freelance, or contracted).
- Volunteers working with The Ten.
- Any third parties (e.g., photographers, guest coaches, external tutors) working on behalf of The Ten.
- All young people who engage with The Ten’s services, particularly those aged under 18.
4. Principles
The Ten is committed to:
- Ensuring that young people are respected, valued, and listened to.
- Promoting an inclusive environment where equal opportunities are afforded to all participants, irrespective of their background.
- Taking all safeguarding concerns seriously and acting upon them appropriately.
- Creating a culture of safety within both our physical and online environments.
- Maintaining confidentiality and protecting personal information, unless there is a need to share information to protect a young person from harm.
5. Working with Young People Over 18
All young people aged 18+ attending The Ten’s services will be treated respectfully as adults. However, we acknowledge that many of the participants may still be vulnerable due to their life experiences, the nature of the industry, or their personal circumstances. As such, we continue to operate with high standards of care, professionalism, and vigilance to ensure that our services are delivered safely.
6. Working with Young People Under 18
Occasionally, The Ten may work with individuals under the age of 18. This could occur in specific instances, such as participation in actor photography sessions at *The Tenancy* or when a young person under 18 attends a workshop or coaching session with the consent of a parent or guardian.
6.1 Parental/Guardian Consent & Supervision
- Any individual under the age of 18 who attends *The Tenancy* for actor photography must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or appropriate adult for the entirety of the session.
- For any young person under 18 who wishes to attend workshops, private coaching, or any other service provided by The Ten, explicit written consent from a parent or guardian is required prior to participation.
- In the case of online sessions, a parent, guardian, or appropriate adult must either be present during the session or must provide consent for the young person to attend independently. All sessions must take place in a safe and appropriate environment.
7. Code of Conduct
All staff, volunteers, and third-party contractors must adhere to the following code of conduct to ensure the safeguarding of young people:
- Maintain professional boundaries at all times and avoid any behavior that could be misconstrued as inappropriate.
- Refrain from any form of discrimination, bullying, or harassment.
- Do not engage in any form of inappropriate physical contact with young people.
- Maintain open communication with young people while avoiding unnecessary private, one-to-one situations in physical or online spaces.
- Report any concerns regarding the safety or well-being of a young person to the designated safeguarding lead.
8. Safeguarding Lead
The Ten has appointed a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) who is responsible for:
- Implementing and overseeing all safeguarding policies and procedures.
- Providing advice and guidance to staff and volunteers on safeguarding issues.
- Being the first point of contact for any safeguarding concerns or allegations.
- Ensuring that all incidents are recorded and responded to appropriately.
- Liaising with external agencies (e.g., local authorities or law enforcement) where necessary.
9. Reporting Concerns
All staff, volunteers, and contractors have a duty to report any safeguarding concerns or suspicions of abuse immediately. The following procedures must be followed:
1. **Immediate Action**: If a young person is in immediate danger, appropriate authorities (e.g., police or social services) should be contacted immediately.
2. **Disclosure**: If a young person discloses that they are being harmed or abused, the staff member must listen carefully, without judgment, and must not promise confidentiality.
3. **Report**: The concern or disclosure must be reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead as soon as possible. A written record of the incident should be made, noting the date, time, and individuals involved.
10. Safer Recruitment
To ensure that all individuals working with The Ten are suitable for their roles, the following safer recruitment practices are in place:
- All staff and volunteers working with young people are required to undergo background checks, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, where appropriate.
- References will be obtained for all staff and volunteers, with specific emphasis on their suitability for working with young people.
11. Training
All staff and volunteers will receive safeguarding training to ensure they are aware of their responsibilities and the appropriate actions to take in the event of a safeguarding concern. Training will be refreshed regularly to maintain up-to-date knowledge and practices.
12. Photography and Videography
In the context of actor photography at *The Tenancy* or during workshops:
- Explicit consent must be obtained from any young person (or their parent/guardian if under 18) before photographs or videos are taken.
- Any images or recordings made during these sessions will be used only for the purposes agreed upon in advance and stored securely in line with GDPR requirements.
13. Online Safety
When delivering services online (e.g., acting coaching or workshops), The Ten will:
- Ensure that all sessions take place on secure, password-protected platforms.
- Maintain appropriate behavior and boundaries during online interactions, just as in face-to-face settings.
- Ensure that young people under 18 are attending sessions in a safe environment, with a parent or guardian’s consent, and that no private communication occurs outside of designated sessions.
14. Confidentiality and Data Protection
All personal data relating to young people will be handled in line with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018. Personal information will only be shared with relevant parties if it is in the best interest of safeguarding the young person.
15. Monitoring and Review
This policy will be reviewed annually, or more frequently if necessary, to ensure it remains up to date and effective. All staff, volunteers, and third-party contractors will be made aware of any changes to the policy and their responsibilities under it.
**Policy Review Date**: August 2024
This Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy ensures that The Ten is committed to safeguarding young people while promoting their access to equal opportunities within the performing arts.
Appropriate updated training is carried out by staff on an annual basis.