1.0 PURPOSE OF THIS POLICY - to protect children and young people who receive Art of Protest’s services from harm to provide staff and volunteers, as well as children and young people and their families, with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection and adult safeguarding. This policy applies to anyone working on behalf of Art of Protest, including senior managers, paid staff, talent development, volunteers, and students.to ensure Art of Protest will respond to concerns appropriately and clarify the organisation’s expectations to ensure a safe community which recognises the right of every individual to stay safe to respond appropriately to allegations against staff and volunteers (associated policy).

‍2.0 OUR VALUES - Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people is everyone’s responsibility. Everyone who comes into contact with children, young people and their families and carers has a role to play. In order to fulfil this responsibility effectively, all professionals should make sure their approach is child and person-centred. This means that they should consider, at all times, what is in the best interests of the child or young person.We believe children and young people should never experience abuse of any kind We have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people, to keep them safe and to practise in a way that protects them.

‍3.0 LEGISLATION AND GUIDANCE - The principal pieces of legislation governing this policy are: The Children Act 1989 and 2004, The Adoption and Children Act 2002, Care Standards Act 2000, Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998, The Police Act 1997, Mental Health Act 1983, NHS and Community Care Act 1990, Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, Disability Discriminations ActFurther guidance can be found here: Department for Education’s statutory guidance publications for schools and local authorities, including: Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023)Keeping Children Safe in Education (2024)Keeping Children safe in out-of-school, Settings Guidance (2023), Designated teacher for looked-after and previously looked-after children (2018), Human Rights Act (1998) and Equality Act (2010), including the Public Sector Equality Duty, Special Education Needs and Disability (SEND) code of practiceData Protection Act (2018) and UK GDPRPrevent Duty Guidance (2023), NYSCP (safeguardingchildren.co.uk) Worried about a child? Make a referral to NYSCP (safeguardingchildren.co.uk)NYSCP Framework for decision making (Threshold Guidance) NYSCP (safeguardingchildren.co.uk)

‍WE RECOGNISE THAT he welfare of children and young people is paramount in all the work we do and in all the decisions we take working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting people’s welfare regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, ethnic origin, sex, or sexual orientation people have an equal right to protection from all types of harm or abusive children and young people are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues extra safeguards may be needed to keep children who are additionally vulnerable safe from abuse. Find out more about: safeguarding children who come from Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic communities  safeguarding d/Deaf and disabled children and young people safeguarding LGBTQ+ children and young people safeguarding children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

‍4.0 DEFINITIONS - Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children - defined for the purposes of this guidance as Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023)Providing help and support to meet the needs of children as soon as problems emerge.Protecting children from maltreatment, whether that is within or outside the home, including online.Preventing impairment of children's mental and physical health or development.Ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care.Promoting the upbringing of children with their birth parents, or otherwise their family network through a kinship care arrangement, whenever possible and where this is in the best interests of the children.Taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes in line with the outcomes set out in the Children's Social Care National Framework.


Definitions include but are not limited to:
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Child - A child is under the age of 18 (as defined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child). (Children include everyone under the age of 18 or 25 if a care leaver).
Child Abuse - A form of maltreatment of a child. Somebody may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent harm. Harm can include ill-treatment that is not physical as well as the impact of witnessing ill-treatment of others. This can be particularly relevant, for example, in relation to the impact on children of all forms of domestic abuse. Children may be abused in a family or in an institutional or community setting by those known to them or, more rarely, by others. Abuse can take place wholly online, or technology may be used to facilitate offline abuse. Children may be abused by an adult or adults, or another child or children.
‍Child Protection - This refers to the activity that is undertaken to protect specific children who are suffering, or are likely to suffer, significant harm.
‍Child on Child Abuse - Child on child abuse is when children abuse other children. It can involve bullying, physical abuse, sexual violence or harassment, the consensual and non-consensual sharing of images and videos and causing someone to engage in sexual activity without consent. Child on child abuse can happen online and in person. A further example of child on child abuse includes initiation or hazing. These are activities involving abuse, harassment and/or humiliation as a way of initiating a child into a group.
‍Child Sexual Exploitation - Child sexual exploitation is a form of child sexual abuse. It occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18 into sexual activity (a) in exchange for something the victim needs or wants, and/or (b) for the financial advantage or increased status of the perpetrator or facilitator. The victim may have been sexually exploited even if the sexual activity appears consensual. Child sexual exploitation does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use of technology.
‍Child trafficking - Child trafficking is when children are recruited, moved or transported and then exploited, forced to work or sold. Children are trafficked for many reasons, including sexual abuse, benefit fraud, forced marriage, domestic servitude, forced labour in factories or agriculture, criminal activity and low-wage labour. It is important to note that trafficking is not about distance. A child can be trafficked from one end of the street to another.
‍Controlling or Coercive Behaviour - Also known as coercive control, the use of control and coercion in relationships is a form of domestic abuse and, since December 2015, a criminal offence.Controlling and coercive behaviour is outlined in Government guidance issued under section 77 of the Serious Crime Act 2015 as part of the Government’s non-statutory definition of domestic violence and abuse. It is described as:Controlling behaviour is: a range of acts designed to make a person subordinate and/or dependent by isolating them from sources of support, exploiting their resources and capacities for personal gain, depriving them of the means needed for independence, resistance and escape and regulating their everyday behaviour; andCoercive behaviour is: an act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten their victimCoercive control is a form of abuse that involves multiple behaviours and tactics which reinforce each other and are used to isolate, manipulate and regulate the victim. This pattern of abuse creates high levels of anxiety and fear. This has a significant impact on children and young people, both directly, as victims in their own right, and indirectly due to the impact the abuse has on the non-abusive parent. Children may also be forced to participate in controlling or coercive behaviour towards the parent who is being abused.
‍Domestic Abuse - Domestic abuse can encompass a wide range of behaviours and may be a single incident or a pattern of incidents. Domestic abuse is not limited to physical acts of violence or threatening behaviour, and can include emotional, psychological, controlling or coercive behaviour, sexual and/or economic abuse. Types of domestic abuse include intimate partner violence, abuse by family members, teenage relationship abuse and adolescent to parent violence. Anyone can be a victim of domestic abuse, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, socio-economic status, sexuality or background and domestic abuse can take place inside or outside of the home.Any incident or pattern of abusive behaviour between two people that are personally connected to each other (Domestic Abuse Act 2021).Domestic abuse continues to be a prevalent risk factor identified through children social care assessments for children in need. Domestic abuse has a significant impact on children and young people. Children may experience domestic abuse directly, as victims in their own right, or indirectly due to the impact the abuse has on others such as the non-abusive parent.
‍Emotional Abuse -The persistent emotional maltreatment of a child such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional development. It may involve conveying to a child that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person. It may include not giving the child opportunities to express their views, deliberately silencing them or ‘making fun’ of what they say or how they communicate. It may feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on children. These may include interactions that are beyond a child’s developmental capability, as well as overprotection and limitation of exploration and learning, or preventing the child participating in normal social interaction. It may involve seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another. It may involve serious bullying (including cyber bullying), causing children frequently to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of children. Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of maltreatment of a child, though it may occur alone.
‍Extremism - Extremism goes beyond terrorism and includes people who target the vulnerable – including the young – by seeking to sow division between communities on the basis of race, faith or denomination; justify discrimination towards women and girls; persuade others that minorities are inferior; or argue against the primacy of democracy and the rule of law in our society.Extremism is defined in the Counter Extremism Strategy 2015 as the vocal or active opposition to our fundamental values, including the rule of law, individual liberty and the mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. We also regard calls for the death of members of our armed forces as extremist.
‍Grooming radica - Grooming is when somebody builds an emotional connection with a child either online or face to face – gaining their trust for the purpose of sexual abuse, exploitation, radicalisation or trafficking.
‍Harmful sexual behaviour - HSB is when children display developmentally inappropriate sexual behaviour for their age. It is seen as a continuum, from behaviour which is deemed to be inappropriate to that which is abusive and violent. It can happen in person or online (or both).
‍Neglect - The persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development. Neglect may occur during pregnancy as a result of maternal substance abuse. Once a child is born, neglect may involve a parent or carer failing to: a) provide adequate food, clothing and shelter (including exclusion from home or abandonment) b) protect a child from physical and emotional harm or danger c) ensure adequate supervision (including the use of inadequate care-givers) d) ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child’s basic emotional needs. 
‍Physical Abuse - A form of abuse which may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating or otherwise causing physical harm to a child or young person. Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer fabricates the symptoms of, or deliberately induces, illness in a child.
‍Sexual Abuse - Involves forcing or enticing a child, young person or vulnerable to take part in sexual activities, not necessarily involving a high level of violence, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including assault by penetration (for example, rape or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts such as masturbation, kissing, rubbing and touching outside of clothing. They may also include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, sexual images, watching sexual activities, encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways, or grooming a child in preparation for abuse. Sexual abuse can take place online, and technology can be used to facilitate offline abuse. Sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated by adult males. Women can also commit acts of sexual abuse, as can other children.
‍Radicalisation - Radicalisation refers to the process by which a person comes to support terrorism and forms of extremism leading to terrorism.

‍5.0 RESPONSIBILITIES All staff (paid or unpaid) have responsibility to follow the guidance provided in this policy and related policies, and to pass on any welfare concerns using the required procedures .We expect all staff (paid or unpaid) to promote good practice by being an excellent role model, contribute to discussions about safeguarding and to positively involve people in developing safe practices.The Executive Chair has responsibility to ensure the policy is in place and appropriate. The Senior Management Team have responsibility to ensure The policy is accessibleThe policy is implemented The policy is monitored and reviewed Sufficient resources are allocated to ensure the policy can be effectively implemented Senior Management and the Designated Safeguarding lead have responsibility to ensure:Promote the welfare of children and young people Ensure staff (paid and unpaid) have access to appropriate training/information  Receive staff concerns about safeguarding and respond to all seriously, swiftly and appropriately Keep up to date with local arrangements for safeguarding and DBS Develop and maintain effective links with relevant agenciesTake forward concerns about responses and ensure appropriate and timely record keeping

‍5. 1 WE WILL SEEK TO KEEP CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE SAFE BY valuing, listening to and respecting them appointing a nominated designated safeguarding lead and a deputy for safeguarding adopting child protection and safeguarding best practice through our policies, procedures and code of conduct for staff and volunteersdeveloping and implementing an effective online safety policy and related procedures providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support, training and quality assurance measures so that all staff and volunteers know about and follow our policies, procedures and behaviour codes confidently and competentlyrecruiting and selecting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made recording and storing and using information professionally and securely, in line with data protection legislation and guidance [more information about this is available from the Information Commissioner’s Office: ico.org.uk/fororganisations] sharing information about safeguarding and good practice with children and their families via leaflets, posters, group work and one-to-one discussions making sure that children, young people and their families know where to go for help if they have a concern using our safeguarding and child protection 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 a policy and procedure to help us deal effectively with any bullying that does arise ensuring that we have effective complaints and whistleblowing measures in place 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 guidancebuilding a safeguarding culture where staff and volunteers, children, young people and their families, treat each other with respect and are comfortable about sharing concerns

valuing, listening to and respecting them appointing a nominated designated safeguarding lead and a deputy for safeguarding adopting child protection and safeguarding best practice through our policies, procedures and code of conduct for staff and volunteers developing and implementing an effective online safety policy and related procedures providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support, training and quality assurance measures so that all staff and volunteers know about and follow our policies, procedures and behaviour codes confidently and competently recruiting and selecting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made recording and storing and using information professionally and securely, in line with data protection legislation and guidance [more information about this is available from the Information Commissioner’s Office: ico.org.uk/fororganisations] sharing information about safeguarding and good practice with children and their families via leaflets, posters, group work and one-to-one discussions making sure that children, young people and their families know where to go for help if they have a concern using our safeguarding and child protection 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 a policy and procedure to help us deal effectively with any bullying that does arise ensuring that we have effective complaints and whistleblowing measures in place 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 building a safeguarding culture where staff and volunteers, children, young people and their families, treat each other with respect and are comfortable about sharing concern
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5.2 TRAINING, AWARENESS AND SUPPORT  - aluing, listening to and respecting them appointing a nominated designated safeguarding lead and a deputy for safeguarding adopting child protection and safeguarding best practice through our policies, procedures and code of conduct for staff and volunteers developing and implementing an effective online safety policy and related procedures providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support, training and quality assurance measures so that all staff and volunteers know about and follow our policies, procedures and behaviour codes confidently and competently recruiting and selecting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made recording and storing and using information professionally and securely, in line with data protection legislation and guidance [more information about this is available from the Information Commissioner’s Office: ico.org.uk/fororganisations] sharing information about safeguarding and good practice with children and their families via leaflets, posters, group work and one-to-one discussions making sure that children, young people and their families know where to go for help if they have a concern using our safeguarding and child protection 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 a policy and procedure to help us deal effectively with any bullying that does arise ensuring that we have effective complaints and whistleblowing measures in place 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 building a safeguarding culture where staff and volunteers, children, young people and their families, treat each other with respect and are comfortable about sharing concerns
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‍Communications and discussion of safeguarding issues - Commitment to the following communication methods will ensure effective communication of safeguarding issues and practice:During team meetings Senior Board meetings One to one meetings A safeguarding training log is held recording the training that has been undertaken by all staff, volunteers, contractors and other third parties who come into contact with children, young people and vulnerable adults. This log is monitored and updated regularly.
‍Support - We recognise that involvement in situations where there is risk or actual harm can be stressful for staff concerned. The mechanisms in place to support staff include: Debriefing support for paid and unpaid staff so that they can reflect on the issues they have dealt withSeeking further support as appropriate e.g. access to counselling.Staff who has initiated protection concerns will be contacted by the Safeguarding Lead or Deputy Safeguarding Lead within a week. 

‍5.3 INFORMATION SHARING - We recognise that information sharing is vital in identifying and tackling all forms of abuse, neglect and exploitation, in promoting children’s welfare, including educational outcomes. We understand our powers and duties to share, hold and use information for these purposes.We understand that The Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR do not prevent the sharing of information for the purposes of keeping children safe.   Fears about the sharing of information must not be allowed to stand in the way of the need to safeguard and promote the welfare and protect the safety of children. Furthermore, we commit to:Ensuring that arrangements are in place to set out the processes and principles for sharing information within the school, with children’s social care, safeguarding partners and other organisations, agencies and practitioners as required.Sharing of information as early as possible to help identify, assess, and respond to risks or concerns regarding the safety and welfare of children.being transparent and accountable in relation to their use of data for collecting, storing, and sharing information. Information to be shared with another agency will usually require explicit consent except where there are concerns for the welfare or safety of the child.  In these circumstances the need for consent changes where it is believed that a child has or is likely to suffer:Significant harm and/or;Has developmental and welfare needs which are likely only to be met through provision of family support services (with agreement of the child's parent).For cases not reaching this threshold, it is good practice to be open and honest at the outset with the parents/carers about concerns, and the need for a referral.  All reasonable efforts should be made to inform parents/carers prior to discussing concerns with Children and Families Service; however, this should not be delayed if concerns cannot be discussed with the parents.Where the child expresses a wish for his or her parents not to be informed, their views should be taken seriously and a judgement made based on the child’s age and understanding, as to whether the child’s wishes should be followed (see   http://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/child-protection-system/legal-definition-child-rights-law/gillick-competency-fraser-guidelines/).There may be some circumstances where it is not appropriate to seek consent, either because the individual cannot give consent, it is not reasonable to obtain consent, or where seeking consent would put a child or young person’s safety or well-being at risk.Where a decision to share information without consent is made, a record of what has been shared should be kept along with the reason why consent was not obtained.

‍6.0 WHAT YOU MUST DO IF YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT A CHILD OR YOUNG PERSON - Art of Protest operates across the UK and all staff and volunteers when delivering provision to a local area will follow relevant local procedures and arrangements. While working within North Yorkshire should follow the NYSCP Child Protection Procedures and Practice Guidance or if in York City CYSCP Documents and Resources – CYSCP (saferchildrenyork.org.uk) which is consistent with Keeping Children Safe in Education; Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023 and What To Do If You Are Worried A Child is Being Abused 2015 . This includes threshold (provision of services) documents. For guidance regarding how to make a referral in North Yorkshire please visit: NYSCP (safeguardingchildren.co.uk)For guidance regarding how to make a referral to York City Council access Report a concern about a child or young person – CYSCP (saferchildrenyork.org.uk)Referrals on situations that are not immediately urgent should be made by completing the MASH referral form, which can be returned by email to: mash@york.gov.uk Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub contact information:Phone: 01904 551900Email: mash@york.gov.uk Address: MASH, West Offices, Station Rise, York, YO1 6GAOutside office hours, at weekends and on public holidays contact the Emergency Duty Team on telephone: 0300 131 2131If you believe the child is at risk of immediate harm, call the Police on 999. Staff must immediately report:Any suspicion that a child is injured, marked, or bruised in a way which is not readily attributable to the normal knocks or scrapes received in play;Any behaviours which give rise to suspicions that a child may have suffered harm (e.g., significant changes in behaviour, worrying drawings or play);Any concerns that a child may be suffering from inadequate care, ill treatment, or emotional maltreatment;Any concerns that a child is presenting signs or symptoms of abuse, neglect or exploitation;Any hint or disclosure of abuse, neglect or exploitation received from the child, or from any other person, including disclosures of abuse, neglect or exploitation perpetrated by adults outside of the family or by other children or young people;Any concerns regarding person(s) who may pose a risk to children (e.g., staff in school or person living in a household with children present) including inappropriate behaviour e.g., inappropriate sexual comments; excessive one-to-one attention beyond the requirements of their usual role and responsibilities; or inappropriate sharing of images;Any concerns related to exploitation and serious crime, including knife crime;Any concerns relating to child-on-child abuse;Any concerns relating to youth produced sexual imagery (sexting); andAny concerns relating to a child’s engagement with extremist groups or ideologies. 

‍Responding to a Disclosure - All staff must maintain an attitude of ‘it could happen here’ and must always act in the best interests of the child. Disclosures or information may be received from children, parents, or other members of the public. Such information cannot remain confidential and staff will immediately communicate what they have been told to the DSL and make a detailed and contemporaneous record. The record should include the child’s exact words. If in doubt about recording requirements, staff should discuss this with the DSL. An Art of Protest template can be found here.
‍Principles - It is recognised that a child may seek share information about abuse or neglect with staff and volunteers, or talk spontaneously to individuals or in groups.  In these situations: You must: Listen carefully to the child. Give the child time and attentionAllow the child to give a spontaneous account; do not stop a child who is freely recalling significant eventsMake an accurate record of the information you have been given, taking care to record the timing, setting and people present, the child’s presentation as well as what was said.  Recordings must be kept secure and in accordance with organisation policies and proceduresUse the child’s own words where possibleExplain that you cannot promise to keep information secret and you may need to speak to others about the information they have shared. Reassure the child that you are glad they have told you they have not done anything wrong what you are going to do next. Where appropriate, explain that you need to get help to keep the child(ren) safeTreat all children and young people with respect. Ensure that, whenever possible, there is more than one adult present with children and young people, or at least that you are within sight or hearing of others. Respect a young person’s right to personal privacy. Make children or young people comfortable and caring enough to point out any safeguarding concernsRecognise that caution is required when you are discussing sensitive issues with children or young people. Operate within Art of Protests principles and behaviour policy, specific procedures and any other guidance as applicable and required. Challenge unacceptable behaviour and report all allegations/suspicions of abuse.
It is recognised that a child may seek share information about abuse or neglect with staff and volunteers, or talk spontaneously to individuals or in groups.  In these situations: You must: Listen carefully to the child. Give the child time and attention. Allow the child to give a spontaneous account; do not stop a child who is freely recalling significant events. Make an accurate record of the information you have been given, taking care to record the timing, setting and people present, the child’s presentation as well as what was said.  Recordings must be kept secure and in accordance with organisation policies and procedures. U se the child’s own words where possible. Explain that you cannot promise to keep information secret and you may need to speak to others about the information they have shared. Reassure the child that you are glad they have told you they have not done anything wrong what you are going to do next. Where appropriate, explain that you need to get help to keep the child(ren) safe. Treat all children and young people with respect. Ensure that, whenever possible, there is more than one adult present with children and young people, or at least that you are within sight or hearing of others. Respect a young person’s right to personal privacy. Make children or young people comfortable and caring enough to point out any safeguarding concerns. Recognise that caution is required when you are discussing sensitive issues with children or young people. Operate within Art of Protests principles and behaviour policy, specific procedures and any other guidance as applicable and required. Challenge unacceptable behaviour and report all allegations/suspicions of abuse.     You must not: DO NOT directly question the child. Children should not be required to provide multiple accounts of events that have inappropriate physical or verbal contact with children or young peopleAllow yourself to be drawn  into inappropriate attention-seeking behaviour/ make suggestive or derogatory remarks or gestures in front of children or young peopleReach conclusions about others without checking factsEither exaggerate or trivialise safeguarding issuesShow favouritism to any individual.
‍What you should do if you suspect abuse - You may become concerned about a child for a number of reasons, this may include but is not limited to the child or young person:Speaking to you about something which is concerning themTelling you about a concern for a friend or other child(ren) Avoiding speaking to you They are clearly upset Displaying a change in behaviourBeing disengaged or are having trouble concentratingChanging their friendship groups and associatesHaving new marks, bruises or scars, or are trying to conceal them.
‍You may also identify concerns - Because of your observations, orChanges in performance of the child or young person (relevant for schools, clubs, etc) A concern has been raised to you by a colleague, parent or third partyIt is good practice to ask a child why they are upset or how a cut or bruise was caused, or respond to a child wanting to talk to you.  This practice can help clarify concerns and result in appropriate action.If you are concerned about a child you must share your concerns.  Initially you should talk to the Safeguarding Lead or Deputy.  You should make a note of your concerns and any actions agreed following your discussion with the Safeguarding Lead or Deputy.

‍6.1 ALLEGATIONS AGAINST STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS - The procedures must be applied when there is an allegation that a person who works with children fits the following criteria: Behaved in a way which has harmed a child, or may have harmed a child; Possibly committed a criminal offence against, or related to, a child; Behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates that they may pose a risk of harm to children; Behaved or may have behaved in a way that indicates they may not be suitable to work with children NB. This may include behaviours towards an adult (e.g. domestic abuse or threatening behaviour); or other behaviours of a concerning nature) this is not an exhaustive list).All allegations about staff, volunteers and/or contractors should be reported without delay to the to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.  Where there is a conflict of interest in reporting the matter to the Designated Safeguarding Lead, this should be reported directly to the local authority designated officer(s) (LADO). The LADO should be contacted within 1 working day of the concerns being raised. For more information refer to Managing allegations against staff and volunteers.

‍KEY CONTACTS - At Art of Protest we create a culture of safeguarding and one of vigilance and openness. We need to be timely with sharing information and if you have any concerns or require further guidance, please contact:Designated Safeguarding Lead - Gemma Waygood gemma.aopprojects@gmail.com 07719160953Deputy Safeguarding Lead Jeff Clark Creative Director jeff.aopprojects@gmail.com 079693983885.2 RELATED PROCEDURES The scope of this Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy is broad ranging and in practice, it will be implemented via a range of policies and procedures within the organisation. These include:Health and safety Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Safeguarding Adult Policy Anti-bullying Positive behaviour and restraint policy  Managing allegations against staff and volunteersComplaints procedure WhistleblowingData protection and confidentiality Code of conductIncident and RIDDORSafer recruitment ‍POLICY REVIEW DATES -