DMA FOUNDATION – SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN POLICY (2025)

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 The DMA Foundation (“DMAF”) is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting the development, wellbeing and creative advancement of children and young people in the performing arts.

1.2 The DMA Foundation operates from:
Stone Studios, Hackney Wick, London (services may also be delivered online or at approved partner venues).

1.3 DMAF is overseen by a Board of Trustees. The Board appoints a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Deputy DSL who hold primary responsibility for safeguarding, policy implementation, training, oversight of concerns, and liaison with statutory agencies.

1.4 This policy applies to all individuals representing the DMA Foundation, including:
staff (employed or freelance), trustees, directors, visiting tutors, coaches, chaperones, volunteers, contractors, partner organisations, parents/guardians participating in sessions, and any other adult working on behalf of DMAF.

All adults associated with DMAF are expected to uphold this policy and follow the safeguarding procedures without exception.

2. PURPOSE OF THE POLICY

2.1 The DMA Foundation is committed to protecting the safety, dignity, rights, and wellbeing of all children and young people engaging with our programmes, services, coaching, events, and online activities.

2.2 The purpose of this policy is to:

  • Create a safe, supportive environment in which children can thrive creatively and personally.

  • Ensure all staff and volunteers understand their responsibilities in relation to child protection and safeguarding.

  • Provide clear guidance for identifying, responding to, and reporting concerns or allegations.

  • Demonstrate our compliance with all relevant UK safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance.

2.3 DMAF recognises that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and that children’s welfare is paramount at all times.

3. UNDERSTANDING RISKS TO CHILDREN

3.1 While most children grow up safely, DMAF acknowledges that young people may be vulnerable to harm in various ways. Abuse may occur in person or online. Forms of abuse include (but are not limited to):

  • Physical, emotional, sexual abuse, neglect

  • Child sexual exploitation (CSE)

  • Child criminal exploitation (CCE)

  • Grooming (online or in person)

  • Domestic abuse

  • Bullying or cyberbullying

  • Harmful sexual behaviour (peer-on-peer)

  • Online abuse, exposure to harmful content, or unsafe digital contact

  • Financial abuse or exploitation

  • Discriminatory abuse

  • Modern slavery and trafficking

  • Organisational abuse or unsafe practice

  • Inadequate supervision

  • Exposure to extremist views or radicalisation

  • Self-harm or mental health crises

  • Unsafe physical environments or activities

3.2 DMAF recognises additional risk factors such as SEND, neurodivergence, care experience, communication needs, language barriers, or high levels of dependency.

3.3 DMAF will ensure staff and volunteers receive training proportionate to their role in understanding, identifying, and responding to risks.

4. UNIVERSALITY OF PROTECTION

4.1 DMAF is committed to the following principles:

  • The welfare of the child is paramount.

  • All children have the right to equal protection, regardless of age, gender, sexuality, disability, ethnicity, belief, or family background.

  • Some children face greater risk due to personal, social, or economic circumstances; DMAF will take proportionate steps to safeguard them.

  • Safeguarding is most effective when professionals, parents, guardians, agencies, and children work collaboratively.

5. SAFEGUARDING AT DMAF EVENTS, ACTIVITIES & SESSIONS

5.1 Children under 16 must be enrolled at sessions by a parent/guardian. Required information includes:

  • Child’s name, DOB, home address

  • Names of parents/guardians

  • Emergency contact numbers

  • Medical, access, or wellbeing information relevant to safety

5.2 Young people aged 16–17 may attend unaccompanied with written parental/guardian consent, including an emergency phone number.

5.3 DMAF operates in person and online. Safeguarding expectations apply equally across both modes. Online sessions follow the Online Safety Act 2023, KCSIE 2024, and Data Protection laws.

5.4 “Events and activities” include all DMAF classes, workshops, coaching, auditions, mentoring, filming days, showcases, rehearsals, trips, and online sessions.

6. DISCLOSURE & BARRING SERVICE (DBS) AND SAFER RECRUITMENT

6.1 DMAF delivers regulated activities including:

  • One-to-one coaching

  • Group sessions and weekly classes

  • Elite masterclasses

  • Self-tape and voice sessions

  • Online mentoring and consultations

  • Performance-based activities

6.2 Therefore, DMAF operates full Safer Recruitment procedures, including:

  • Enhanced DBS checks with barred list checks for regulated roles

  • Verification of identity, right to work, and professional references

  • Mandatory safeguarding induction

  • Annual refresher training for frontline practitioners

  • Chaperone licence requirements where relevant

  • Strict boundaries for contact outside sessions

  • Signed agreement to DMAF’s Code of Conduct

6.3 Any allegation or concern regarding staff, volunteers, or adults connected to DMAF must be reported immediately to the DSL. The DSL will assess the risk and, where necessary, escalate to:

  • Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)

  • Social care

  • Police

  • Charity Commission (where applicable)

6.4 DMAF may suspend or remove any adult from duties pending investigation, in accordance with employment law, charity governance obligations, and safer practice.

7. HEALTH & SAFETY AND RISK MANAGEMENT

7.1 Risk assessments are completed for:

  • All venues and physical spaces

  • Online activities

  • Trips, filming days, and off-site events

  • Activities involving equipment or physical action

  • Any child with additional needs requiring specific safety planning

7.2 DMAF maintains appropriate adult-to-child ratios to ensure safe supervision. Ratios reflect statutory guidance and the needs of the group.

7.3 All staff must follow DMAF’s procedures for emergencies, first aid, fire safety, building access, and reporting hazards.

8. PREVENTION OF BULLYING, HARASSMENT & PEER-ON-PEER ABUSE

8.1 DMAF operates a zero-tolerance approach to bullying, harassment, discrimination, or harmful behaviour.

8.2 If bullying or harmful behaviour occurs:

  • Children will be separated and supported immediately.

  • Parents/guardians will be informed promptly.

  • The DSL will record, assess risk, and consider further action.

  • DMAF may remove a participant from future activities where necessary for safety.

8.3 All allegations of adults bullying or harming a child are treated as safeguarding concerns and escalated to the DSL under Section 6.

9. PHOTOGRAPHY, VIDEO & MEDIA CONSENT

9.1 DMAF will never photograph, film, or publish content featuring a child without explicit written consent from a person with parental responsibility.

9.2 No child’s image will be used for marketing without separate, specific consent.

9.3 Parents, guardians, or visitors must not photograph or film children unless authorised in writing.

9.4 Any concerns about photography or filming must be reported immediately to the DSL.

10. BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT & PHYSICAL CONTACT

10.1 DMAF does not permit corporal punishment or aggressive behaviour of any kind.

10.2 Physical contact with children must be:

  • Appropriate to the teaching context (e.g., movement direction)

  • Child-centred, explained clearly, and limited

  • Always avoidable at the child’s request

  • Recorded if significant or out of the ordinary

10.3 Physical restraint is permitted only to prevent immediate harm. Minimum force must be used, and the incident must be reported to the DSL and recorded.

10.4 DMAF may apply proportionate behaviour sanctions, including temporary or permanent removal from activities, where necessary for safety.

11. RECORDING, REPORTING & INFORMATION SHARING

11.1 DMAF follows statutory guidance on information sharing (Data Protection Act 2018, UK GDPR, WTSC 2023).

11.2 All safeguarding concerns must be:

  • Reported to the DSL immediately

  • Logged in secure safeguarding records

  • Shared with statutory agencies when required

11.3 DMAF will never promise confidentiality if a child is at risk.

11.4 All records are stored securely and retained according to legal and charity-sector standards.

12. LEGAL FRAMEWORK

This policy aligns with current UK legislation and statutory guidance, including (but not limited to):

  • Children Act 1989 & 2004

  • Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023)

  • Keeping Children Safe in Education (2024) – used as best-practice benchmark

  • Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006

  • Childcare Act 2006

  • Online Safety Act 2023

  • Counter-Terrorism & Security Act 2015 (Prevent Duty)

  • Equality Act 2010

  • The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child

  • Data Protection Act 2018 & UK GDPR

13. POLICY APPROVAL & REVIEW

This policy was approved by the DMA Foundation Board of Trustees.
It will be reviewed annually or sooner if legislation changes or concerns arise.

Last review: January 2025
Next review due: January 2026
Designated Safeguarding Lead: Dominique Moore
Deputy Safeguarding Lead: Ryan DaRocha