Induction, training, supervision and support

Induction

All new members of the society should be made aware of the South Brent Amateur Dramatic Society (SBADS) Safeguarding Policy and be asked to read it. They should then be given an opportunity to ask questions, should clarity be required.

  • Children and vulnerable adults will have the main points of the policy, that are relevant to their safety in their role (acting, stage crew, etc) explained to them.
  • Adult members will be advised on a case-by-case basis, when areas of the venue are out of bounds to them and the timescales for this. Most notably when an area has been designated for a children’s dressing room.
  • Volunteers assisting with chaperoning (parent/guardians and others with professional child care experience), will be asked to familiarise themselves with the policy in the first instance. Once at the venue, they will be shown the area they will be working in, who their chaperone colleague(s) will be and their role explained to them. This will normally be provided by the SBADS Safeguarding Lead.
  • It is anticipated that young people will need to be reminded of what is acceptable within the policy (i.e. not to use phone cameras in dressing rooms, etc). This will be the role of any responsible adult and other young SBADS members present.
  • All new SBADS members will be made aware that safeguarding concerns should always be reported. Any concerns that are reported will be treated sensitively, seriously and appropriately.

Training

SBADS members with Safeguarding responsibilities should attend safeguarding training unless their professional qualifications and experience is sufficient (appropriate training is provided within their professional environment).

  • Lack of training and/or experience should not preclude someone from taking on this role. The required level of training should be sought from a recognised provider (NSPCC, Local Authority, etc).
  • This training should be sufficient to meet the needs of the Safeguarding Lead. To enable them to:- receive and assess whether the concern is a safeguarding issue; deal appropriately with the concern; record the correct details; escalate within the SBADS organisation; know how to refer on and liaise with other agencies as required; liaise appropriately and sensitively with parents/guardians; seek support themselves via supervision.

Supervision and support

Should a SBADS member feel the need to discuss their experience of a safeguarding issue or the need for personal support due to an aspect of their involvement with SBADS, they should contact a Safeguarding Lead in the first instance.

  • The Safeguarding Lead will determine with them whether this is something they can work on together or if there is someone else within the society who is better placed to offer the support that is required, or whether professional outside help is needed.

The Safeguarding Lead or the person offering support, will in turn be offered the opportunity to meet with the SBADS Senior Safeguarding officer, or anot