Centre Stage NI

Safeguarding Policy

Safeguarding is one of the most important things to keep in mind when working with people, and something we take very seriously at Centre Stage. We have a policy to make sure everyone is kept safe and secure in their environment. Think of safeguarding like a big virtual hug – it protects people from anything that could potentially cause them harm, so that everyone can be free to continue to grow and thrive.

Our Safeguarding Policy  

Centre Stage NI Theatre Company Safeguarding Policy  

1. Introduction

1.1. Centre Stage NI Theatre Company is committed to providing an environment that is safe and welcoming for everyone who works or visits us.  

1.2. We recognise the importance of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults with whom we work and we are committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all such people irrespective of age, gender, race, sexual orientation, ethnicity, disability and socio-economic background.  

  1. Scope

2.1. This policy applies to all staff, volunteers, performers and visitors at Centre Stage NI Theatre Company and our premises.  

  1. Definitions

 3.1. “Child” means a person under the age of 18 years old.  

3.2. “Vulnerable adult” is an adult at risk of abuse or neglect and includes a person with a physical or mental illness, impairment or disability, a person who is elderly or a person who needs care services. 

  1. Policy

4.1. Our safeguarding policy sets out our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and outlines our procedures for recognising, responding to and reporting any concerns of harm or abuse.  

4.2. All staff, volunteers and performers working with children, young people and vulnerable adults are required to adhere to this policy and complete the appropriate training.  

4.3. We will ensure that our safeguarding procedures are reviewed and evaluated on an annual basis.  

4.4. We will develop an open culture where individuals can discuss concerns about their own, or someone else’s behaviour without fear of repercussions.  

  1. Protecting Children

5.1. We have a duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people who we work with in all our activities and we will do this by:  

5.1.1. Keeping our procedures under review and, where necessary, updating them in line with best practise;  

5.1.2. Training all appropriate staff and volunteers in our Safeguarding Policies and Procedures and ensuring that they understand their responsibilities;  

5.1.3. Always having at least two members of staff or two volunteers who are suitably trained in line with this policy to provide an appropriate level of supervision and monitoring to any activity involving children and young people;  

5.1.4. Not tolerating any behaviour that could put a child or young person at risk;  

5.1.5. Maintaining appropriate safeguarding records and ensuring that disclosure and barring service (DBS) checks are carried out where appropriate;  

5.1.6. Developing relationships and understanding between staff, volunteers, children and young people and their parents or guardians.  

  1. Protecting Vulnerable Adults

 6.1. In order to protect vulnerable adults, we will ensure that:  

6.1.1. All volunteers, performers and staff receive appropriate training and support;  

6.1.2. All staff and volunteers are aware of our duty to protect vulnerable people within our activities or on our premises;  

6.1.3. Appropriate levels of supervision, assistance and support are provided for vulnerable adults at all times;  

 

6.1.4. Appropriate roles for volunteers, performers and staff when working with vulnerable adults are outlined and adhered to;  

6.1.5. Vulnerable adults are given regular reviews of their safety, care and support needs;  

6.1.6. Reports of suspected or actual abuse are reported in accordance with this policy.  

  1. Responding to Concerns of Harm or Abuse

7.1. All members of staff, volunteers and performers are expected to familiarise themselves with this policy and take all reasonable steps to ensure that they are able to recognise, respond to, or report any safeguarding concerns.  

7.2. Any concerns will be listened to seriously, accurately recorded, kept secure and shared only with those who need to know.  

7.3. All concerns will be referred to the Police and Social Services immediately, where appropriate. 

 7.4. Any potential perpetrators of abuse will be excluded immediately from our premises and barred from entering our premises in the future.  

  1. Confidentiality

8.1. Any personal or confidential information (including medical information) children, young people or vulnerable adults must be treated with discretion, respect and sensitivity and in accordance with our Policy for the Processing of Personal Data.  

  1. Review

9.1. This policy will be reviewed regularly to ensure it remains up to date and compliant with legislation and best practice. These reviews will be carried out in consultation with the Safeguarding Officer.  

  1. Further Information

We also carry out risk assessments every year and ensure all practices within Centre Stage are in line with current legislation. We regularly revise and update our policies to ensure we are always compliant with the present law and best business practices regarding safety and safeguarding. For more information on Centre Stage NI Theatre Company’s Safeguarding Policies and Procedures, please contact the Safeguarding Officer at centrestageni@gmail.com