Online Safety Policy
This document is based on guidelines from NSPCC.
Last updated: 26/03/2020 by Jessica Braviner, appointed Safeguarding Officer
Creation Theatre Company is committed to safeguarding the health, safety and welfare of children and young people that are involved with us as part of our online workshops, practical workshops, on work experience placements or involved in our productions.
Safeguarding is the action that is taken to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm.
The purpose of this statement is to:
- ensure the safety and wellbeing of children and young people is paramount when adults, young people or children are using the internet
- provide staff and volunteers with the overarching principles that guide our approach to online safety
- ensure that, as an organisation, we operate in line with our values and within the law in terms of how we use online devices.
The policy statement applies to all staff, volunteers, children and young people and anyone involved in Creation Theatre online activities.
Child protection is part of the safeguarding process. It focuses on protecting individual children identified as suffering or likely to suffer significant harm. Safeguarding children and child protection guidance and legislation applies to all children up to the age of 18. Summaries and guidance are available on: Online abuse learning.nspcc.org.uk/child-abuse-and-neglect/online-abuse.
The Education Manager is the Designated Safeguarding Officer and should be the first point of contact with regards to any suspicion of a child or young person being at risk or of an adult behaving inappropriately.
We at Creation have established the following values and code of practice:
- We believe every child should always be able to use the internet for education and personal development in a safe environment.
- Children and young people should never experience abuse of any kind.
- We have a duty to ensure that all children, young people and adults involved in our organisation are protected from potential harm online
- We have a responsibility to help keep children and young people safe online, whether or not they are using Creation Theatre’s network and devices
- All children, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation, have the right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse
- Working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare and in helping young people to be responsible in their approach to online safety.
ONLINE WORKSHOPS
- Online workshops will always be conducted by a Creation Theatre facilitator and/or employed actor.
- All live facilitation conducted online will be taught by a DBS checked Creation Theatre employee and children will never be left alone online with a member of staff who is not DBS checked.
- Online lessons will be recorded by Creation Theatre for the safety of our staff and members. Parents, carers, guardians and any household members do not have permission to record online lessons conducted by Creation. If you do not wish for your child to be recorded during the lesson, please contact the Education Manager to discuss alternative options.
- The Education Department policies and procedures will be followed for all online workshops and a copy of these policies will be available for all parents/staff to access at our website: www.creationtheatre.co.uk
SAFEGUARDING AND REPORTING SIGNS OF NEGLECT/ABUSE
According to government policy and agreed prevention criteria set out by Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children’s board, Creation Theatre have the right to report any evidence of harm or neglect where a child in their care is concerned.
Workshop leaders will contact the Designated Safeguarding Officer if they have evidence of harm or neglect where a child in their care is concerned who will then contact the relevant Children’s Social Care Assessment team.
If online abuse occurs, we will respond by –
- Providing support and training for all staff and volunteers on dealing with all forms of abuse, including bullying/cyberbullying, emotional abuse, sexting, sexual abuse and sexual exploitation.
- Making sure our response takes the needs of the person experiencing abuse, any bystanders and our organisation into account.
- Reviewing the plan developed to address online abuse at regular intervals, in order to ensure that any problems have been resolved in the long term.
SEXUAL EXPLOITATION
- If a child or young person has made a disclosure regarding sexual exploitation or if Creation Theatre think a child may be at risk of being sexually exploited, the Safeguarding Officer will notify the Kingfisher Team.
CHILD BEHAVIOUR POLICY
Our aim is for all children to behave in socially acceptable ways.
To be socially acceptable, we believe that children should be able to:
- treat other children and adults with respect
- speak politely to other people
- have self-confidence and high self-esteem.
To encourage this, the staff will:
- treat all children and adults with respect
- praise children’s efforts and achievements as often as they can
- explain to children what they should have done or said when they get it wrong
- tell parents about their child’s efforts and achievements
- avoid using critical or sarcastic language
We expect children to follow the below rules to ensure online safety:
- Children should communicate with the workshop leader via the Zoom platform only and only at their allocated lesson time
- Children should find a quiet space to participate in the lesson to avoid interruption from their household
- Children should avoid inappropriate areas such as bedrooms when participating in online lessons
- Doors should be kept open
- Children should wear suitable clothing, no PJ’s, onesies or revealing clothing
- If a 1 to 1 lesson is required (Young Company) we ask that a parent or guardian is present during the online lesson
- children’s mobile phones should not be used during online classes.
We will not accept the following behaviour from children or adults:
- use of rude or unkind language
- racist or sexist remarks or images
- any form of bullying.
If such behaviour occurs:
- We will tell the child that it is wrong and explain what they should have done or said [or not said].
- If the behaviour is repeated, the child will be reminded once more as above.
- If the behaviour continues, we will remove the child from the activity and speak to the parent or carer.
- We will try to find out why the child is behaving this way and then treat the situation accordingly.
If a child’s behaviour has been problematic during the time of the online workshop the Workshop Leader will contact the parent or guardian via telephone or email to discuss the situation, how it was handled and the outcome. Any observations/reports given by the Workshop Leader will then be passed on to the relevant authorities be it the Education Manager, or an external organisation.
If a child’s behaviour is such that they are deemed to be ‘out of control’ (i.e. causing excessive harm to other children and staff), the Workshop Leader reserves the right to telephone the parent or guardian immediately.
ONLINE ACCESS PROCEDURE
You will receive an email from the workshop leader with a link to access the Zoom platform where the online lesson will take place. This link should never be passed on and should only be used for your child to participate in their lesson. If your child is unable to participate in the online lesson, a recording of the session can be accessed by contacting education@creationtheatre.co.uk providing all parents have agreed that the recording can be shared.
BOOKING PROCEDURE
Upon booking an online workshop, you are obliged to indicate who will be present during your child’s lesson if a 1 to 1 session is to be conducted i.e. Young Company. To access the online workshop, you must supply an email address that can be used to connect to the Zoom platform which will be used to conduct the workshop. This email address must be that of the booker (ie. the child’s parent / guardian) rather than the participant’s personal email address.
At the end of a term all recordings of online lessons will be archived and will not be available to outside companies, parents, carers or young people.
INCIDENT POLICY
Creation Theatre Company has a commitment to the safety and well-being of children under the care of Creation staff. Our Incident Policy is designed to protect the children, staff, and parents who engage with our online workshops and ensure that any incident is dealt with appropriately. This policy works in conjunction with our Behaviour Policy and is supported by our Workshop Rules.
Where an incident takes place during an online workshop the situation will be recorded by the workshops leader and noted by taking the following details:
- the child’s name
- the member(s) of staff involved
- the date and time the incident happened
- what the member(s) of staff witnessed
- what the child says happened
- how the incident was dealt with and the outcome
- the signature of Creation staff involved
Sick Child Policy and Procedure
It is the responsibility of the parent /guardian to respond to a sick child during an online workshop. Creation Theatre can not take responsibility for a child in the event they become unwell during an online workshop. We will however ask you to supply us with two contact telephone numbers for us to reach you in case of an emergency.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES POLICY
Creation aims to bring an educational experience of the theatre and its benefits to as many children as possible. It is important to us that we serve a diverse mix of children and in particular:
- a balance of both sexes
- a diversity of racial and cultural backgrounds
- children of all abilities
- disabled children, and those with special educational needs
- we treat every child as an individual
It is the job of our staff to ensure that the online workshops are welcoming to all children and that they all benefit from what we have to offer, including recognition and celebration of their successes and positive social interactions with staff and other children. Creation is committed to offering equal opportunities to both full-time and part-time employees irrespective of gender, race, social group, religion and disability, providing they meet our selection criteria.
DISABILITIES AND SPECIAL NEEDS POLICY
Creation aims to treat all children equally, as individuals, with diverse needs, likes and dislikes. Our online workshops have a lot to offer all children, irrespective of ability.
We ensure that:
- We take time to discuss a child’s needs with the parent and child at the time of booking onto a workshop.
- All children enjoy the same support and encouragement from staff irrespective of ability.
- Staff are encouraged to be aware of disability issues and to attend development training on developing inclusive practice.
- We are always open to guidance from parents and professionals on the type of training that may be beneficial or necessary for working with a specific child.
- We work within the guidelines of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.
RECORDINGS POLICY
For the safety of our staff and members we will record each session. We assure you that no full names will be addressed or tagged on screen during the sessions and we do not give permission for any other companies to use these recordings. Recordings will not be used for future publicity. Recordings will only be shared with members of your child’s online group (for a limited time), if you agree for the footage to be shared. Parents, guardians and anyone living in the participant’s household do not have permission to record the online lessons. Please notify us in writing, in advance of the workshop start date, if you do not give permission for your child to be recorded during online lessons.
COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE
If you feel at any time that you have reason for complaint, in the first instance you should speak to the safeguarding officer. If you would prefer not to discuss your concerns with the safeguarding officer, we recommend that you contact the CEO. Creation Theatre aims to review and update our policies annually to reflect best practice.
CONTACT DETAILS
Safeguarding Officer
Name: Jessica Braviner
Tel: 01865 761393
Email: Jessbraviner@creationtheatre.co.uk
Chief Executive Officer
Name: Lucy Askew
Tel: 01865 766 266
Email: Lucyaskew@creationtheatre.co.uk
Creation Theatre Company Online Workshops
Child Protection Policy
This document is based on guidelines from OSCB, Charity Commission, ITC, Arts Council England, Oxford City Council, and NSPCC.
Last updated: 26/03/2020 by Jessica Braviner
Creation Theatre Company is a professional theatre company with an established education department running workshops for children aged 5-18 years. It is committed to safeguarding the health, safety and welfare of children, young people and staff who are involved with us as part of our workshops, on work experience placements or in our productions.
Safeguarding is the action that is taken to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm. Child protection is part of the safeguarding process. It focuses on protecting individual children identified as suffering or likely to suffer significant harm. This includes child protection procedures which detail how to respond to concerns about a child. Safeguarding children and child protection guidance and legislation applies to all children up to the age of 18.
We at Creation have established the following code of practice.
The purpose of the policy:
• To provide protection for the children and young people who use the services of Creation Theatre Company.
∙ Ensure the safety and wellbeing of children and young people is paramount when adults, young people or children are using the internet, social media or mobile devices
∙ Provide staff and volunteers with the overarching principles that guide our approach to online safety
∙ Ensure that, as an organisation, we operate in line with our values and within the law in terms of how we use online devices.
• To provide staff and volunteers with guidance on procedures they should adopt in the event that they suspect a child or young person may be experiencing, or be at risk of, harm. This policy applies to all staff, including senior managers and the board of trustees, paid staff, volunteers and sessional workers, agency staff, students or anyone working on behalf of Creation Theatre Company.
We will seek to safeguard children and young people by:
• valuing them, listening to and respecting them
• adopting child protection guidelines through procedures and a code of conduct for staff and volunteers
• recruiting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made.
• sharing information about child protection and good practice with children, parents, staff and volunteers
• sharing information about concerns with agencies who need to know and involving parents and children appropriately.
• providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support and training.
Safeguarding and reporting signs of neglect/abuse
According to government policy and agreed prevention criteria set out by Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children’s board, Creation Theatre have the right to report any evidence of harm or neglect where a child in their care is concerned. Any signs of abuse of any kind will be reported to the local authority’s safeguarding board by the Designated Safeguarding Officer.
Workshop leaders should contact the Designated Safeguarding Officer if they have evidence of harm or neglect where a child in their care is concerned. If your concerns are about the DSO please report these to Lucy Askew the chief executive of Creation Theatre
If the situation is an emergency, you must dial 999. The police have the power to intervene if a child is in immediate danger.
We at Creation Theatre are committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually.