Safeguarding Policy

1. POLICY STATEMENT

WOXPAF and OFSDMT are committed to safeguarding the welfare of all children, young people, and vulnerable adults involved in their activities. We aim to create a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for all.

2. DESIGNATED SAFEGUARDING LEAD

• There will be a designated safeguarding lead at each event (Festival Safeguarding Lead)
• Contact details to be made available at all events.

3. SCOPE

Applies to all trustees, staff, volunteers, adjudicators, and participants.

4. KEY PRINCIPLES

• The welfare of the child or vulnerable adult is paramount.
• All individuals have the right to protection from abuse, harm, and neglect.
• All concerns will be taken seriously and responded to promptly.

5. SUPERVISION & RESPONSIBILITY

• All under-18s must be accompanied by a responsible adult (parent, teacher, or group leader).
• WOXPAF/OFSDMT do not act in loco parentis.
• Youth groups must provide appropriate chaperones.

6. CODE OF CONDUCT

All adults working with young people must:

• Treat all individuals with respect.
• Avoid being alone with a child or vulnerable adult.
• Report any concerns immediately to the Safeguarding Lead.

7. REPORTING CONCERNS

• Concerns should be reported to the Safeguarding Lead.
• In emergencies, contact police or social services.
• All reports will be handled confidentially and in line with statutory guidance.

8. TRAINING & AWARENESS

• All volunteers and staff will receive safeguarding guidance.
• Trustees will review safeguarding procedures annually.

9. PHOTOGRAPHY & MEDIA

• Consent will be obtained before taking or using images of children or vulnerable adults.
• No identifying information will be published without explicit permission.

10. LEGAL FRAMEWORK

This policy aligns with the Children Act 1989 and 2004, the Care Act 2014, and the statutory guidance 'Working Together to Safeguard Children'.

11. DBS CHECKS

All staff and volunteers working directly with children or vulnerable adults must undergo an enhanced DBS check.

12. RECORD KEEPING

Safeguarding concerns and actions will be documented and stored securely in accordance with data protection regulations.

13. ONLINE SAFETY

Safeguarding procedures extend to digital environments. Online interactions must be monitored and conducted in line with safeguarding principles.

14. ESCALATION PATHWAYS

If concerns cannot be resolved by the Safeguarding Lead, they must be escalated to the Chair or external authorities as appropriate.

15. POLICY REVIEW

This policy will be reviewed annually by the Board of Trustees or following any significant incident or change in legislation. Updates will be communicated to all relevant parties.

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