1. Purpose and Aim

S.P.I.D has a strong commitment to putting children, young people and vulnerable adults’ safety first. This policy should be read alongside SPID’s safeguarding training material and relevant organisational policies and procedures, including health and safety, safer recruitment, behaviour/code of conduct, whistleblowing, data protection, photography/filming and online safety.

The community rooms where we work have been health-and-safety approved by Kensington and Chelsea. Adults running our projects are DBS checked in advance. Our policies are reviewed annually in accordance with best practice, local policies and procedures.

Current copies are held by SPID and can be requested from helena@spidtheatre.com. The current public version should also be made available through SPID’s website.

We carry out space assessments prior to every project, identifying steps that can be taken in terms of space, audience and participant management to ensure our work remains as safe as possible.

This policy and procedure was written in accordance with:

• Children Act 1989 and Children Act 2004
• Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
• Working Together to Safeguard Children

2. Scope

This policy applies to anyone working on behalf of SPID Theatre including senior managers, the Board of Trustees, volunteers, employees including those on short-term contracts and permanent contractors, agency staff, freelancers, students on placement, sessional staff and visitors.

A child is anyone under the age of 18.

Safeguarding concerns relate both to children at risk of abuse or neglect and to children who are at risk of not being able to thrive and meet positive outcomes in their lives.

Safeguarding and the promotion of children’s welfare includes:

• protecting children from maltreatment;
• preventing impairment of children’s health or development;
• ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care; and
• taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.

Child protection is part of safeguarding and promoting welfare. This refers to the activity undertaken to protect specific children who are suffering, or are likely to suffer, significant harm.

3. Policy Statement

At SPID, we recognise that all children, young people and vulnerable adults have the right to be happy, healthy, safe and have access to equal and fair opportunities. We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and value the importance of partnership working and appropriate information sharing.

We will endeavour to safeguard children, young people and vulnerable adults by:

• valuing, listening to and respecting them;
• maintaining robust recruitment, induction and DBS checking procedures;
• providing appropriate safeguarding training and guidance for staff and volunteers;
• setting clear behaviour expectations for staff, volunteers, visitors and children and young people;
• maintaining clear procedures for reporting and responding to safeguarding concerns;
• appointing designated safeguarding leads with responsibility for managing safeguarding concerns and referrals;
• working with RBKC safeguarding services, the police and other relevant agencies where necessary.

The Artistic Director is responsible for ensuring that this policy is implemented, monitored and reviewed.

SPID’s trustees have overall responsibility for safeguarding within the charity and for ensuring that appropriate policies, procedures and systems are in place.

SPID’s Safeguarding Leads are:

Helena Thompson – Artistic Director / Safeguarding Lead Officer
helena@spidtheatre.com
07828 441347

Nnenna Samson – Head of Youth / Safeguarding Lead Officer
nnenna@spidtheatre.com
07903 861674

The nominated Trustee with safeguarding responsibility is:

Sophia Ollivierre – Co-Chair / Safeguarding Lead Trustee
sophia@berthauk.com

Safeguarding concerns should be reported to one of the Safeguarding Leads. Where appropriate, they will liaise with RBKC safeguarding services and other relevant agencies.

For children and young people who live outside the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, the relevant safeguarding duty service for the borough in which the child or young person lives should be contacted.

Safeguarding Procedures

1. Purpose and Aim

The aim of these procedures is to set out how SPID Theatre safeguards children, young people and vulnerable adults, and to provide clear steps for everyone to whom the Safeguarding Policy applies to follow in order to keep children, young people and vulnerable adults safe.

2. Definitions and Signs of Abuse

Adults at risk are defined as someone who may be unable to protect themselves from abuse, neglect or exploitation due to their circumstances.

Child abuse occurs when someone harms a child. Abuse can take place in person or online and children may experience more than one type of abuse.

The main categories include physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and neglect.

Further information about definitions, signs and indicators of abuse can be found on the NSPCC Learning website.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse involves deliberately hurting a child and causing physical harm. This can include hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning or otherwise deliberately causing injury. It can also include fabricating or deliberately inducing illness in a child.

Possible signs and indicators can include:

• unexplained or unusual bruising, burns, cuts or fractures;
• injuries which do not match the explanation given;
• fear of particular individuals;
• flinching when approached or touched;
• changes in behaviour, including becoming withdrawn.

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse is the ongoing emotional maltreatment of a child which can have a serious and lasting effect on their emotional health and development.

It can include rejection, humiliation, threats, bullying, deliberately frightening a child, imposing inappropriate expectations, restricting normal social interaction or exposing a child to the ill-treatment of others.

Possible signs and indicators can include:

• low self-esteem or lack of confidence;
• becoming withdrawn or unusually quiet;
• anxiety or changes in behaviour;
• difficulty forming or maintaining relationships;
• delays in emotional, language or social development.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse occurs when a child is forced, persuaded or encouraged to take part in sexual activities.

It may involve physical contact or non-contact activities and can happen both online and offline. Children may not always understand that what is happening to them is abuse.

Possible signs and indicators can include:

• sexualised behaviour or knowledge inappropriate for the child’s age or development;
• fear or avoidance of a particular person;
• unexplained changes in behaviour;
• difficulties sleeping or nightmares;
• becoming withdrawn;
• unexplained physical soreness, bruising or other injuries.

Neglect

Neglect is the failure to meet a child’s basic physical and psychological needs and can cause serious and long-term harm.

It may include physical, educational, emotional or medical neglect.

Possible signs and indicators can include:

• poor hygiene or unsuitable clothing;
• inadequate food or nutrition;
• being frequently tired;
• being left alone or without appropriate supervision;
• untreated health or dental needs;
• poor attendance at school or education;
• lack of appropriate stimulation or care.

Signs and indicators should always be considered in the context of the individual child and their age and development.

A single sign does not necessarily mean that abuse has occurred, and staff should not wait for a child to disclose abuse before reporting a safeguarding concern.

3. Roles and Responsibilities

All Personnel

Everyone working on behalf of SPID has a responsibility to:

• understand and follow SPID’s safeguarding policy and procedures;
• remain alert to signs of abuse, neglect or other safeguarding concerns;
• report concerns promptly to a Safeguarding Lead;
• maintain appropriate professional boundaries and behaviour;
• attend safeguarding training as required;
• keep safeguarding information confidential and share it only with those who need to know.

Managers

Managers are responsible for ensuring that staff and volunteers understand and follow safeguarding procedures, receive appropriate induction and training, and that any concerns raised are passed promptly to a Safeguarding Lead.

Artistic Director / Senior Management

The Artistic Director is responsible for supporting the implementation, monitoring and review of SPID’s safeguarding arrangements and ensuring appropriate safeguarding systems and procedures are maintained.

Safeguarding Leads

The Safeguarding Leads are responsible for:

• receiving and assessing safeguarding concerns;
• ensuring concerns and incidents are appropriately recorded;
• deciding when referrals or advice should be sought from relevant statutory agencies;
• supporting staff dealing with safeguarding concerns;
• ensuring safeguarding information is handled appropriately and confidentially;
• keeping safeguarding procedures under review.

Board-Level Safeguarding Lead

The nominated Trustee with safeguarding responsibility provides board-level oversight of safeguarding and supports the Board of Trustees in ensuring that SPID meets its safeguarding responsibilities.

4. Reporting Procedures

4.1 Concerns About a Child or Vulnerable Adult

If you think that a child, young person or vulnerable adult is at risk of immediate harm, contact the police immediately on 999.

Where there is a concern about the welfare of a child, young person or vulnerable adult, but there is no immediate risk, it should be brought to the attention of a Safeguarding Lead as soon as possible.

Incident reports regarding safeguarding concerns which arise during work with SPID should be made using the incident report form and passed to:

Helena Thompson – Artistic Director / Safeguarding Lead Officer
helena@spidtheatre.com
07828 441347

or

Nnenna Samson – Head of Youth / Safeguarding Lead Officer
nnenna@spidtheatre.com
07903 861674

The Safeguarding Lead dealing with the report will assess the concern and take appropriate action within the following timescales:

• Where there is an immediate risk of harm, urgent action must be taken, including contacting the emergency services on 999.
• Allegations that meet the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) referral threshold should normally be referred within one working day.
• Other safeguarding concerns that do not involve immediate danger should be assessed and appropriate action taken within three working days.

They are responsible for deciding whether a referral should be made to Children’s Social Care, Adult Social Care, the LADO or the police.

In an emergency, staff should contact the appropriate emergency service directly.

If a member of staff has to make a referral directly, details of the referral must be provided to a Safeguarding Lead as soon as possible.

This process should also be followed when reporting suspected abuse which has taken place outside SPID.

Recording Concerns

The incident report should include the child or young person’s name, address and date of birth, where known, and:

• whether the person making the report is expressing their own concerns or those of someone else;
• the nature of the allegation or concern, including dates, times and any relevant circumstances;
• a description of any visible injuries or other signs, including behavioural changes;
• details of any witnesses;
• the child or young person’s account, using their own words wherever possible;
• confirmation of whether Children’s Social Care, Adult Social Care, the LADO or the police have been contacted.

Safeguarding and child protection records must be stored securely and separately from general participant records.

Access should be restricted to the Safeguarding Leads and others who have a legitimate safeguarding need to access them.

Information should only be shared on a need-to-know basis.

If a Child, Young Person or Vulnerable Adult Discloses Abuse

If someone discloses abuse or suspected abuse, staff should:

• stay calm and listen carefully;
• take what they say seriously;
• allow them to speak in their own words;
• avoid asking leading or unnecessary questions;
• not investigate the allegation themselves;
• not promise confidentiality or secrecy;
• explain that the information may need to be shared with people who can help keep them safe;
• record what was said as soon as possible, using the person’s own words where possible;
• report the disclosure to a Safeguarding Lead as soon as possible.

4.2 Allegations Concerning Another Child or Young Person

Where an allegation is made against another child or young person, it should be treated as a safeguarding concern and reported to a Safeguarding Lead.

Staff should not attempt to investigate the allegation themselves.

The safety and welfare of both the child making the allegation and the child who is the subject of the allegation should be considered, and appropriate safeguarding advice or referrals should be sought where necessary.

4.3 Allegations Concerning Staff, Volunteers or Trustees

Any safeguarding allegation concerning a member of staff, volunteer, trustee or other person working on behalf of SPID must be reported immediately to a Safeguarding Lead.

Where the concern relates to one of the Safeguarding Leads, it should be reported to the other Safeguarding Lead and/or the nominated Trustee with safeguarding responsibility.

Where the concern relates to both Safeguarding Leads, a senior member of management, or where there may be a conflict of interest, it should be reported to the nominated Safeguarding Trustee/Co-Chair and appropriate external safeguarding services, including the LADO where relevant.

Staff may also refer to SPID’s Whistleblowing Policy where they are concerned that a safeguarding issue is not being dealt with appropriately.

Local Safeguarding Contacts

RBKC Children’s Services
020 7361 3013

Out of Hours Emergency Duty Team
020 7373 2227

RBKC Local Authority Designated Officer – LADO
020 7361 2120
KCLADO.Enquiries@rbkc.gov.uk

RBKC Adult Social Care / Social Services Line
020 7361 3013
socialservices@rbkc.gov.uk

In an emergency, contact the police on 999.

5. Incidents that Must be Recorded

Staff should notify a Safeguarding Lead and complete an incident report:

• if they accidentally hurt a participant;
• if a participant appears distressed in any way;
• if a participant misunderstands or misinterprets something they have done;
• if any safeguarding concern, disclosure or allegation is raised.

Incident reports must be stored securely and confidentially in accordance with the safeguarding record-keeping arrangements above.

6. In Case of Suspected Abuse or Neglect

If a SPID worker suspects that a child or young person they have worked with has been or is being subjected to abuse or neglect by a parent or carer, they should not contact the parent or carer about the concern or referral unless advised to do so by Children’s Social Care or the police.

The concern should be reported immediately to a Safeguarding Lead, who should contact RBKC Children’s Services where appropriate:

RBKC Children’s Services: 020 7361 3013
Out of hours: 020 7373 2227

If a SPID worker suspects that a child or young person has been or is being subjected to abuse by a professional or volunteer, the concern should be reported to a Safeguarding Lead and referred to RBKC’s LADO where appropriate:

LADO: 020 7361 2120
Email: KCLADO.Enquiries@rbkc.gov.uk

In an emergency, or where someone is at immediate risk of harm, contact the police on 999.

If advised by the LADO, police, Children’s Services or Adult Social Care to seek additional support from relevant council services, this should be actioned by the Safeguarding Lead.

7. In the Case of Emergency

If a SPID worker believes that a child, young person or vulnerable adult is at immediate risk of harm, they should contact the police immediately on 999.

Where abuse or neglect is suspected but there is no immediate danger, the concern should be reported to a Safeguarding Lead and the procedures set out in the Reporting Procedures section above should be followed.

If the suspected abuse or neglect involves a parent or carer, staff should not contact the parent or carer about the concern or any referral unless advised to do so by Children’s Social Care or the police.

An incident report should be completed and passed to a Safeguarding Lead as soon as possible.

8. Safer Recruitment and Training of Staff and Volunteers

SPID is committed to safer recruitment and to ensuring that staff and volunteers are suitable to work with children, young people and vulnerable adults.

Recruitment procedures include:

• appropriate advertising of roles;
• use of a standard application process;
• interviews;
• checking relevant experience and qualifications;
• obtaining two references where appropriate, including from the applicant’s most recent employer;
• carrying out appropriate DBS checks before staff or volunteers begin work.

Where possible, at least one member of an interview panel should have appropriate safer recruitment knowledge or training.

Induction

All staff and volunteers receive appropriate induction before beginning work with children, young people or vulnerable adults.

This includes being introduced to SPID’s safeguarding policy and procedures, behaviour expectations and reporting procedures.

Training

Appropriate safeguarding training is required for staff, volunteers and Board members according to their role.

Staff and trustees with specific safeguarding responsibilities should undertake additional training appropriate to those responsibilities.

Safeguarding policies and procedures are shared with staff and volunteers so that they understand how to respond to safeguarding concerns and disclosures.

Supervision

Staff and volunteers are appropriately supervised according to their role and level of responsibility.

Safeguarding concerns can be raised with managers or the Safeguarding Leads at any time.

Trustees provide appropriate safeguarding oversight through the Board and the nominated Safeguarding Lead Trustee.

SPID’s safeguarding arrangements take account of the Care Act 2014, Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, Children and Families Act 2014 and Working Together to Safeguard Children.

9. Behaviour Expectations

All staff, volunteers, children, young people and visitors are expected to behave in a way that helps maintain a safe, respectful and inclusive environment.

This section should be read alongside SPID’s Behaviour / Code of Conduct Policy.

Staff and volunteers should:

• listen to children and young people without passing judgement or expressing shock;
• never promise confidentiality where a safeguarding concern is disclosed;
• avoid spending time alone with a child or young person wherever possible;
• use appropriate indoor collection and handover points;
• maintain appropriate professional boundaries at all times;
• not engage in rough, physical or sexually provocative games;
• not socialise alone with a child or young person outside their work with SPID;
• not engage in inappropriate physical contact;
• challenge inappropriate or abusive language;
• never deliberately humiliate, intimidate or distress a child or young person.

Children, young people and visitors are also expected to treat others respectfully and follow SPID’s behaviour and safety expectations while taking part in activities.

10. Safer Activities

SPID takes reasonable steps to ensure that activities are planned and delivered safely.

This section should be read alongside SPID’s Health and Safety Policy, Photography/Filming Policy and Online Safety Policy.

• Sessions are run by a minimum of 4 staff.
• Sessions are ideally supported by 2 volunteers.
• Registration information and relevant parental/carer consent are obtained for children and young people taking part in activities.
• Appropriate consent must be obtained for photography and filming in accordance with SPID’s Photography/Filming Policy.
• A daily attendance register is maintained for sessions and stored securely with access limited to relevant staff.
• Online activities and communications with children and young people must follow SPID’s Online Safety Policy.
• On trips, young people under 14 wear high-visibility vests and wristbands containing the SPID contact number.
• One member of staff is responsible for knowing where participating children and young people are.
• One member of staff is responsible for managing children’s handover and collection.
• A quiet, separate space is identified for calming activities where needed.
• Children and young people are shown where to wait and who to contact if they become separated from the group.

11. Confidentiality

Safeguarding information must be stored securely and shared only on a need-to-know basis.

Information may be shared with:

• Safeguarding Leads;
• Children’s Social Care, Adult Social Care or the police where appropriate;
• parents or guardians of the child or young person, where advised by social services or the police that they should be notified;
• the person making the allegation, where appropriate;
• the Co-Chair / Safeguarding Lead Trustee, Sophia Ollivierre, who can be contacted at sophia@berthauk.com.

 

Where a safeguarding concern reaches the threshold for referral, the concern must be reported even if the child, young person, vulnerable adult or parent/carer asks for the information not to be shared.

Safeguarding concerns and records should not be discussed with anyone who does not need the information in order to respond to or manage the concern.

12. Whistleblowing and Complaints

Safeguarding concerns are not the same as complaints and should be dealt with through SPID’s safeguarding procedures.

If an individual has a safeguarding concern about a member of staff, volunteer, trustee or another person working on behalf of SPID, they should report this to a Safeguarding Lead as soon as possible.

If the concern relates to one Safeguarding Lead, it should be reported to the other Safeguarding Lead and/or the Safeguarding Lead Trustee.

If an individual believes that a safeguarding concern has not been dealt with appropriately, or does not feel able to raise the concern through the normal safeguarding process, they should refer to SPID’s Whistleblowing Policy.

Complaints about SPID’s services, activities, staff or procedures should be dealt with through SPID’s Complaints Policy and Procedure.

13. Support Links

Children, young people and their families may find the following sources of support helpful:

• NSPCC Childline: 0800 1111
• NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000
• The Mix: 0808 808 4994
• Samaritans: 116 123
• British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy directory: bacp.co.uk/search/Therapists

Policy Sign-Off

This policy was updated and signed on 16th October 2026.

Helena Thompson
SPID Theatre Artistic Director
Safeguarding Lead Officer

Sophia Ollivierre
SPID Theatre Co-Chair
Safeguarding Lead Trustee