Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy

Preston Street Films

Safeguarding  policy statement 

The purpose and scope of this policy statement 

The purpose of this policy statement is: to protect children and young people who work with Preston Street Films from harm. This includes contributors in our films and children in and around locations where we are shooting.

This policy applies to anyone working on behalf of Preston Street Films, including in-house staff, freelancers and interns.

Legal Framework

This policy has been drawn up on the basis of legislation, policy and guidance that  seeks to protect children in England. When working in other nations in the United Kingdom or in other jurisdictions overseas adequate care will be taken to acquaint our staff and crew with any relevant differences. 

A summary of the key legislation and guidance in the UK is available from nspcc.org.uk/childprotection. 

We believe that: 

  • 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.

We recognise that:

  • 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, 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 type 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.

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

  • Valuing, listening to and respecting them.
  • Adopting child protection and safeguarding best practice through our policies, procedures and code of conduct for staff and volunteers
  • Providing effective management for staff and freelance crew 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.
  • 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 freelance crew.
  • 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.

 

Practical measures:

  • No staff or crew members will be left alone with a child or young person.
  • No staff or crew members will contact a young person directly by phone/instant message/social media.
  • All staff or freelance crew working with young people will have DBS checks.
  • If in any doubt about the safety and welfare of a child or young person REPORT IT immediately.
  • Assign a Safeguarding Point of Contact (SPOC) for all shoots involving children and young people.
  • For more guidance or information about child welfare and protection visit the NSPCC website.

This document will be regularly reviewed.