Child protection policies and procedures

Shakespeare Schools Foundation (SSF) works directly with children and young people and therefore takes the issue of child protection very seriously. We are also aware that organisations working with children can be the target of those who may to wish harm children. In order to safeguard against this, we have a child protection policy to ensure all those working with us follow best practice and ensure that the welfare of children is paramount in every aspect of our work. We want to create an environment of safety and mutual respect, where child protection is everyone’s responsibility. We review this policy at least annually in order to meet with all current legislation and best practice.

We define “children” as young people under the age of 18 years.

 Policy Principles

SSF will seek to safeguard children by ensuring staff, consultants and all schools and organisations working with us that we

• value them, listen to and respect them.
• adopt child protection guidelines through procedures and a code of conduct.
• ensure that all members of staff engaged directly (core staff, Cast Workshop Hosts and Practitioners, Stage Directors and Stage Managers) to work with children will be the subject of an enhanced disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau, or from the Disclosures and Barring Service (DBS), which deems them suitable to work with children, prior to any contact with children taking place.
• provide two or more staff for every activity we organise with children.
• share information about safeguarding children and good practice with children, teachers, staff and volunteers.
• share information about concerns with agencies who need to know, and involving parents and children appropriately.
• provide effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support and training.
• ensure all our staff have agreed to comply with SSF’s Child Protection Policy.
• adopt the principles of this policy in relation to online engagement (e.g. by appropriate use of social networking websites).

Action to take

SSF take any allegation or potential threat concerning the welfare of children with the upmost seriousness and insist that action is taken immediately by contacting the SSF Office (020 7601 1800) and speak to the HR Consultant, the CEO or a Director or to contact the NSPCC helpline on their free 24hour Child Protection Helpline, 0808 800 5000. Any suspicious behaviour will be passed to the local Police, Child Protection Unit or the local Social Services within 24 hours of the allegations being made.

To read our full Child Protection Policy please download the document below.