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Safeguarding Policy

Purpose

This Safeguarding Policy sets out our commitment to ensure that when and wherever we work with children, young people and adults at risk at, or outside the National Theatre, we do so safely, respectfully and well.

 

Definitions

Safeguarding – the responsibility to ensure and promote the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk.

Safeguarding incident – witnessing or becoming aware of the possibility of abuse or neglect.

Children – anyone up to the age of 18.

Young People – anyone up to the age of 18.

Adults at risk – anyone over the age of 18 who is, or may be in need of, care services by reason of disability, age or illness; who is experiencing or at risk of abuse; and who is unable to protect themselves against harm or exploitation because of their care needs.

Abuse – any action by another person that causes significant harm to a child, young person or adult at risk. This could be physical, sexual, emotional or the result of neglect.

Neglect – the ongoing failure to meet the basic needs of a child, young person, or adult at risk.

 

Scope

Everyone at the National Theatre has a responsibility to promote the safety and welfare of children, young people and adults at risk taking part in our activity. This includes being aware of the possibility of abuse or neglect and knowing what to do if you suspect abuse or if it is disclosed or reported to you.

This policy links to, and should be read alongside, the NT’s Staff Handbook

 

Responsibility

Everyone – is responsible for safeguarding at the National Theatre. Staff are required to complete mandatory training and understand how to report concerns.

Managers – must consider what safeguarding means for the work of their department, ensure staff complete training, are aware of their responsibilities and hold current DBS certificates where needed. They must also support members of staff making disclosures.

Local Safeguarding Leads – are responsible for safeguarding in departments with significant regular work with children, young people or adults at risk.

Safeguarding Group –responsible for reviewing safeguarding incidents, policies, procedures and training, as well as identifying risks and promoting good practice.

Designated Safeguarding Leads – are responsible for receiving and responding to any reports of safeguarding incidents, and report on safeguarding to the Board. They take the lead on ensuring appropriate arrangements are in place across the work of the National Theatre for keeping children, young people and adults at risk safe.

 

Protecting Children, Young People and Adults at Risk

The National Theatre aims to be a theatre for everyone. That vision includes children, young people and adults from a wide range of backgrounds with different needs who may be involved in our work:

  • As performers
  • As audience and visitors
  • As participants and learners
  • In the workplace
  • Online

All children, young people and adults at risk, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, disability, sexuality or beliefs have the right to protection from all types of harm or abuse.

Everyone at the National Theatre is expected to:

  • Help provide a warm and inclusive welcome to the children, young people and adults at risk who work, visit, learn or play here.
  • Read this policy and complete any training required.
  • Understand their individual responsibilities and not assume that safeguarding is someone else’s job.
  • Think about the risks that must be planned for in their work.
  • Be aware of the possibility of abuse or neglect and know what to do if they suspect abuse of if it is disclosed or reported to them.
  • Speak up immediately if they see or hear of a safeguarding issue, however trivial, and know who to speak to.
  • Protect themselves and the National Theatre. This includes not trying to resolve problems beyond their level of knowledge or experience – the NT has trained people to resolve issues in these areas.
  • Be responsible for any children, young people or adults at risk they invite into the National Theatre. Ensuring they are safe, supervised, and do not access unsafe areas, materials or information unsuitable for their age or understanding.

If a child, young person or adult at risk discloses information that worries you, your responsibility is to report it.

Act in accordance with the “4 R’s” Recognise, Respond, Record, Report

  • You should be alert to the possibility of abuse and be able to recognise the signs of abuse.
  • You should listen carefully and not ask any leading questions. When you respond, never agree to keep anything you have been told secret or try to handle the issue by yourself.
  • Write down and record what you have seen or heard immediately after the incident or conversation. If recording a disclosure, try to use their words.
  • Report what you have seen or heard to the person responsible for the child or adult at risk (e.g. a teacher) unless the information refers to that individual. Also report what you have seen or heard to the Designated Safeguarding Leads in writing via the  Safeguarding Report Form, by calling 0207 452 3709, or by emailing safeguardinglead@nationaltheatre.org.uk
  • In an emergency, or if someone is at immediate risk, dial 999.

The same principles apply if you witness or hear about a situation which causes you to have a safeguarding concern or had the potential to do so (a “near miss”).

Managing Safeguarding at the National Theatre

The Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSL) for the NT are Alice King-Farlow (Director of Learning and National Partnerships), Laura Friedner (Director of People) and Lisa Jonas (Deputy Director of Business Operations and Support). The Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead is Virginia Leaver (Deputy Director of Learning, Operations). You are welcome to raise any safeguarding concerns with them, however minor they may seem. You can contact them on safeguardinglead@nationaltheatre.org.uk

The Local Safeguarding Lead for child performers is Gemma Tonge (Head of Company Stage Management, Operations) who can be contacted on safeguardinglead@nationaltheatre.org.uk

If you are planning a project or event, you need to consider: 

  • Are children, young people and/or adults at risk likely to be involved? If so how?
  • What are the potential risks? Who may pose a risk? What situations may increase risk?
  • Who is responsible for safeguarding?
  • Who is working on the project? How are they recruited and trained? Is a DBS check required?
  • Do you have a plan to manage safeguarding?

You will need to plan for safeguarding and complete a risk assessment. Contact a member of the Safeguarding Group for advice and see resources and guidelines with this policy. A list of Safeguarding Group members and terms of reference is in Appendix A of the Policy. Appendix A is an internal document and can be found on the staff intranet.

 

Further Guidance

A set of detailed guidelines which give more in depth information on aspects of safeguarding are found on the staff intranet. If you are a member of staff or a freelancer responsible for or engaged in a project, please make sure you have read and followed the relevant guidelines when planning the project.

Author(s): Laura Friedner, Lisa Jonas, Alice King-Farlow
Date Written: February 2024
Review Period: Annual
Date of next review: February 2025
Version: 1.5