Child and Young People Safeguarding Policy Statement

Purpose

The purpose of this policy statement is:

To protect children and young people (persons under 18 years of age) who participate in SBADS activities from harm.
To provide society members, as well as children and young people and their families, with the overarching principles that guide our approach to safeguarding.
This policy applies to anyone working on behalf of SBADS, i.e. sessional workers, workshop facilitators, students, etc.

Legal framework

This policy has been drawn up on the basis of legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children in England. A summary of the key legislation and guidance is available from nspcc.org.uk/childprotection .

Background

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 practice in a way that protects them.

The welfare of children is paramount in all the work we do and in all the decisions we take. Working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, guardians, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare.

All children, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation have an equal right to protection from all types of harm or abuse. Some children 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.

How we will keep children safe

We will seek to keep children and young people safe by:

Valuing, listening to and respecting them. Appointing a nominated child safeguarding lead for children and young people and a lead committee member for safeguarding.
Adopting child protection and safeguarding best practice through our policies and procedures for SBADS members.
Providing effective support, guidance and quality assurance measures so that all members and parents/guardians follow our policies, procedures and behaviour codes, ensuring all necessary checks are made.
Making sure that children, young people and their families know where to go for help if they have a concern.
Recording and storing and using information professionally and securely, in line with data protection legislation and guidance.
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 guardians appropriately.
Using our procedures to manage any allegations against members 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 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 members, children, young people and their families, treat each other with respect and are comfortable about sharing concerns.

Contact details

Nominated safeguarding and child protection leads

Name: Kim Kidney and Rachel Prince

Phone/e-mail:

Rachel Prince: rachel.prince@sbads.show
Kim Kidney: kim.kidney@sbads.show

Committee/Senior lead for safeguarding and child protection

Name: Robin Willoughby (SBADS Chair)

Phone/e-mail:

Revisions to this policy

We are committed to reviewing our policy and good practice regularly.

This policy was last reviewed on: 5 June 2025

Signed: Robin Willoughby (SBADS Chair)

Date: 5 June 2025

NSPCC Helpline – 0808 800 5000

Supporting documents, roles and procedures

This policy statement should be read alongside our organisational policies, procedures, guidance and other related documents. In particular: