Safeguarding is the action taken to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm. It applies to all children up to the age of 18. The purpose of this policy is to protect children and young people who receive services from Flying High Expressive Arts CIC and to provide parents, staff and volunteers with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection.

Everyone at Flying High Expressive Arts CIC is responsible for keeping children and young people safe by

• providing a safe environment for the development of physical and emotional well-being
• identifying and responding to children and young people sensitively in need of support and/or protection
• supporting children’s development in ways that will foster a sense of self-esteem, independence and awareness of the needs of others
• fostering a learning environment in which every company member feels valued and able to articulate their wishes and feelings in an atmosphere of acceptance and trust.

We will endeavour to ensure that children and young people are protected from harm while they visit or attend workshops at Flying High Expressive Arts CIC.

We will do this by

• supervising children appropriately at all times (10 mins before and after workshops unless agreed by the DSO and parents)
• making sure all staff are carefully selected and fully qualified
• ensuring a First Aider is on site during sessions, and all accidents recorded in the company’s accident book as soon as practically possible.
• all teachers and anyone else that may come into contact with children and young people will undergo or hold an DBS certificate.
• providing effective management for staff and volunteers through support, training and quality assurance measures
• recording and storing information professionally and securely
• sharing general information about child protection and good practice with children, parents, and teaching staff.
• using our safeguarding procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know, and involving children, young people, parents, families and carers appropriately
• using our procedures to manage any allegations against staff and volunteers appropriately
• creating and maintaining an anti-bullying environment and ensuring that we have procedures to help us deal effectively with any bullying that does arise
• ensuring that we provide a safe physical environment for our children, young people, staff and volunteers, by applying health and safety measures in accordance with the law and regulatory guidance.
• recognising that all children regardless of age, disability, gender, race, sexual orientation or identity or religious belief have the right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse.

Responsibilities for all staff to keep children and young people safe by

• valuing, listening to and respecting their needs, ideas, views and opinions
• adopting child protection procedures against all forms of abuse and discrimination.
• adhering to the health and safety legislation and guidance, codes of practice
• reporting any incident or suspicion of abuse to the DSO
• taking appropriate action if an accident occurs
• familiarising themselves with building/facility safety issues such as fire procedures, first aid equipment.

Performing Arts training will require workshop leaders and teachers on occasion to physically adjust to assist and guide a student to find correct placement and positioning. Permission from the child or young person will be sought before proceeding.

Any concerns please contact Artistic Director and Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) – Carrie Bird – email [email protected] or phone on 07946703821. Alternatively email our Deputy Designated Safeguarding Officer Andy Dawson [email protected].

Policy reviewed April 2024

To be reviewed annually