Clio’s Company Safeguarding Policy
Policy aims and purpose
Clio’s Company works with a variety of groups of people: school students from both primary and secondary schools, university students, and community groups, all of whom may have their own needs and vulnerabilities.
Clio’s Company is committed to safeguarding the welfare of the young and older people we work with and has established the following code of practice. This policy explains what we expect of our volunteers and workshop leaders.
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and this policy applies to all associated with Clio’s Company.
Policy statement
Clio’s Company is committed to safeguarding people both young and old of all backgrounds and identities.
We recognise and respond to all types of harm, including abuse, physical, emotional, and sexual harm, bullying, harassment, and neglect.
How Clio’s Company Safeguards Participants in Our Projects
- Clear and established roles and responsibilities are assigned to all involved in educational work, ensuring accountability and safeguarding awareness.
- The Artistic Directors and all other staff, volunteers, and workshop leaders involved in direct work with any group undergo enhanced DBS checks to ensure suitability. This includes mandatory rechecks every three years.
- When working with schools, all workshops are conducted in the presence of a teacher.
- Clio’s Company conducts workshops in teams of at least two people. If a workshop leader has already established a trusted relationship with the group, they may work alone with prior approval from the Artistic Directors and school.
- Participants are supervised at all times during projects, including during lunch breaks and travel to and from the venue.
- The Artistic Directors, or in their absence, assigned workshop leaders, are responsible for ensuring health and safety requirements are met in the working environment.
- Prior to any production day or workshop, project directors or workshop leaders must obtain relevant information about participants' special educational needs, mental health concerns, or other specific requirements to ensure appropriate support.
- Full evaluations are conducted after every workshop sequence, completed by teachers/staff members where relevant and workshop leaders. This process helps address any concerns and improve safeguarding measures for future projects.
- Concerns regarding any participant’s well-being or safety are reported immediately to the school’s designated safeguarding lead (DSL) and/or relevant authorities as appropriate.
- Any concern reported to a workshop leader by a participant will be communicated to the accompanying teacher, school leadership team where relevant, and/or Artistic Directors as appropriate.
Expectations
Clio’s Company expects all volunteers and staff to follow our safeguarding procedure and report any concerns to the appropriate adult and/or the Artistic Directors as soon as possible: in an emergency, within 24 hours.