Policies

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Timekeeping:
Please do your best to arrive on time for all sessions. We understand that there are occasional times when this isn’t possible, but a consistent lateness won’t be possible to accommodate. If you have difficulty with the times of the sessions, then we will try to find a session that better suits your timetable.

Behaviour:
Please be courteous to all members of the group and accept the guidance of your tutor. You may not agree with everything but please accept their advice and ask for clarity outside of the session if you still need it. If they have time, they may be able to help you outside of the session. If you’re consistently not happy with the tutoring, then it may be that we’re not the right group for you.

Additional Needs:
If you have specific needs, please email the Director, Laura before you enrol on the course and we will discuss how we can best support you. We are keen to make sure that additional needs are accommodated where possible, but we sometimes only have one member of staff present in a session and won’t be able to provide bespoke delivery. It’s important that everyone in our sessions is comfortable and that one person’s adjustments don’t have a detrimental effect on the experience for the others.

Hygiene:
As there are lots of people in small spaces in sessions, please make sure that you have considered your personal hygiene and the potential effect on other members of the group. If there is reason to, one of our members of staff may talk to you if we feel that it’s necessary to keep everyone comfortable.

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Rag and Bone is an inclusive, encouraging and warm environment in which to learn to act, draw, dance and create whilst having lots of fun. We are dedicated in our approach and keen that everyone is given the opportunity to learn creative skills and get a taste of what it’s like to follow a profession in the creative industries, if this is what they want.

For those who don’t, we also require a level of professionalism and maturity in order to take part in our workshops, due to the nature of our sessions and our need to make sure that all participants get what they need from our groups.

We are also focused on keeping everyone safe and making sure that they are in an environment where they are open to learning and happy to take risks and make mistakes. Because of this, we will closely monitor the behaviour of all attendees and ask that they adhere to our code of conduct.

Our expectations from our participants are:

• Arrive on time, ready to work and with as positive an attitude as you can. We understand that this is a variable but ask that any out of the ordinary situations are brought to our attention prior to a session by a parent/guardian so that we are prepared for it and can potentially adapt accordingly.
• Treat the staff and all other members of the group with respect and courtesy. This involves language and behaviour, but also the attitude that you are bringing into the room. We are aware that life is complex but ask that you try your best to leave any problems at the door as much as possible and treat everyone present well.
• Put your mobile phones on silent and don’t use it unless specifically asked to.
• Let us know when your parent is there to collect you and only leave when you have told a member that you are being collected.
• Don’t talk over the workshop leader when they are giving instructions.
• Wear clothes that allow you to move freely without restriction and aren’t creating any problems for movement. For art – this will be clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty.
• Do your best to attend every session leading up to a project, and if you can’t for any reason, then try and catch up with any missed instructions and/or line learning.
• Leave water bottles, mobile phones and other pieces of equipment in your bag and don’t play with them during the session. This is because it can be very distracting to the rest of the group and the workshop leader and is necessary for a positive working environment.
• If you have an EHC plan, we must be given a copy before enrolling you on a course. This is so that we know how to support you during the sessions and can make a decision about staffing levels.

This is an essential part of our safeguarding policy, and it is vital that we have access to it so that we fully understand your needs and can assess whether we have the expertise and skills to support you, while making sure that the needs of the rest of the group are met and their experience isn’t compromised.

These guidelines are designed to highlight safety issues, prepare the company members for situations that may arise when working with children and enable them to feel confident and act professionally in the school environment.

All Rag and Bone Arts staff must:

• Make dance/drama/art sessions fun, enjoyable and promote fair play
• Plan sessions to ensure that all children, young people and adults are adequately supervised and engaged in suitable activities at all times.
• Treat all young people/disabled adults equally, and with respect and dignity, always putting the welfare of each young person first
• Be an excellent role model – this includes not smoking or drinking alcohol in the company of young people. Ensure that their relationships with pupils clearly take place within the boundaries of a respectful professional relationship - take care that their language, attitudes, demeanour or conduct does not give rise to comment or speculation.
• Remember that someone else might misinterpret your actions, no matter how well intentioned.
• Be aware that physical contact with a child or young person may be misinterpreted.
• All adults working with pupils have a responsibility to maintain public confidence in their ability to safeguard the welfare and best interests of pupils. It is therefore expected that they will adopt high standards of personal conduct in order to maintain the confidence and respect of their colleagues, pupils or students, public in general and all those with whom they work
• Always work in an open environment (e.g. avoid private or unobserved situations and encourage an open environment i.e. no secrets).
• Maintaining a safe and appropriate distance with pupils/members (e.g. it is not appropriate to have an intimate relationship with a child)
• Build balanced relationships based on mutual trust which empower children to share in the decision-making process
• Respect a young person’s right to personal privacy/encourage young people to feel comfortable and caring enough to point out attitudes or behaviour they do not like
• Give enthusiastic and constructive feedback rather than negative criticism
• Recognise the development/needs and capacity of young people and disabled adults – avoiding excessive training or competition and not pushing them against their will
• Know at all times where the children/young people under their duty of care are and what they are doing
• Not leave children unsupervised at any venue, indoors or out.
• Ensure that whenever possible there is more than one adult present during activities with children and young people, or at least that you are within sight or hearing of others Avoid being left alone with a single child.
• Any activity using potentially dangerous equipment should have constant adult supervision.
• Exercise authority and manage risk within workshop/performance
• Challenge unacceptable or dangerous behaviour and report all allegations/suspicions of abuse
• All staff, whether paid or voluntary, have a duty to keep young people safe and to protect them from sexual, physical and emotional harm.
• Recognise that special caution is required when you are discussing sensitive issues with children or young people.
• Members of staff may have access to confidential information about pupils in order to undertake their everyday responsibilities. In some circumstances staff may be given highly sensitive or private information. They should never use confidential or personal information about a pupil or her/his family for their own, or others’ advantage (including that of partners, friends, relatives or other schools/services). Information must never be used to intimidate, humiliate, or embarrass the pupil.
• Confidential information about a child or young person should never be used casually in conversation or shared with any person other than on a need-to-know basis.
• Wear clothing which is appropriate to their role - is not likely to be viewed as offensive, revealing, or sexually provocative, does not distract, cause embarrassment or give rise to misunderstanding - is absent of any political or otherwise contentious slogans
• Ensure that personal social networking sites are set at private, and pupils are never listed as approved contacts
• Never use or access social networking sites of pupils
• Not give personal contact details to pupils, including their mobile telephone number
• Only make contact with children for professional reasons and where possible using equipment e.g. mobile phone, provided by Rag and Bone Arts for communication
• Make sure that parents have given permission for this form of communication to be used
• Recognise that text messaging should only be used as part of an agreed protocol and when other forms of communication are not possible
• Not use internet or web-based communication channels to send personal messages to a child/young person
• Take responsibility for recording any incident, and passing on that information where they have concerns about any matter pertaining to the welfare of an individual in the workplace
• Be familiar with the Rag and Bone Arts system for recording concerns
• Keep a written record of any injury that occurs, along with the details of any treatment given.
• Employees should give guidance and support to inexperienced helpers, for example, volunteer assistants who may be working with them temporarily.
• Take responsibility for clearing up completely after classes/performances. Take any rubbish with you.

Staff must not:

• Have inappropriate physical or verbal contact with children, young people or vulnerable adults.
• Allow yourself to be drawn into inappropriate attention-seeking behaviour/make suggestive or derogatory remarks or gestures in front of children or young people.
• Jump to conclusions about others without checking facts.
• Either exaggerate or trivialise child abuse issues.
• Show favouritism to any individual.
• Rely on your good name or that of the organisation to protect you. Believe “it could never happen to me”.

Rag and Bone Arts are committed to ensuring we live up to our reputation as a respectful, honest and open arts organisation providing a high-quality service to all those we work with including participants, partnership organisations, volunteers and arts practitioners. When something goes wrong, we want to be told about it so that we can work towards putting it right. Improving our standards is important to us. 

If you are unhappy with your experience for any reason, we have the following procedure in place you can use to raise a concern or make a complaint: 

How to make a complaint 

If you have a concern or complaint, please contact us with the details so that we can begin to resolve the issue. In the first instance this should be with the person directly involved in the complaint. This can be face- to-face or via letter, telephone or email. If you do not wish to raise the concern with the person directly involved (we understand that not everyone feels able to do so), then you can report the matter to another member of our team or contact a Director of Rag and Bone Arts. We will always listen to what you have to say and treat you with respect. We will endeavour to discuss the matter with you and agree an acceptable solution. 

If the matter cannot be resolved at this stage, then we require that you put your complaint in writing including as much detail as possible and post or email this to us (our contact details appear at the end of this document). 

What will happen next? 

1. We will send you written acknowledgement of your complaint within 5 days of receiving it together with a copy of this complaints procedure. We will also include a written summary of your complaint and any action you have told us you would like us to take. This is to ensure that we have understood you correctly.
2. The matter will then be passed to one of the Directors of Rag and Bone Arts, who will then investigate your complaint. This will normally involve talking to any other parties who may have been involved in the circumstances of the complaint. If the complaint involves the one of the Directors, then the matter will be dealt with by one of our Governing board.
3. The Director will then write to you again with the outcome of their investigation, the details of any actions to be taken, and a summary of the reasons for any conclusions reached. This will normally be within 14 days of sending you the acknowledgement letter. We will ask you if you are satisfied with the outcome. If so, or if we do not hear from you within 7 days, no further action will be taken. However, the details of the complaint will remain on record and stored in accordance with our confidentiality and data protection policies (copies available via our website or on request to our office). 

4. If you are not satisfied with the outcome, and write to tell us so within 7 days, the matter will proceed to the next level and the complaint will be brought to the attention of the Director of Rag and Bone Arts, Tamsin Crook. It is likely that he will contact you directly to discuss the reasons for your dissatisfaction and possibly arrange a meeting in order to Tamsin Crook will consider all the available evidence and send you a detailed written reply to your complaint, detailing their final position on your complaint and explaining their reasons. If you still remain unhappy then you should write and let us know why, however this is the final stage of the complaint’s procedure and Rag and Bone Arts will take no further action in relation to the complaint. A record will be kept of the complaint and the final outcome, together with any further communications relating to it. 

Rag and Bone Arts promises to strive towards a timely and satisfactory resolution to all concerns or complaints raised. 

Contacts Office Address: 

ragandbonearts@gmail.com

Our commitment
Rag and Bone Arts recognises that we live in a society where discrimination and inequality still operate to the disadvantage of many groups in society. We believe that all people should have equal rights to recognition of their human dignity and equal opportunities to work, receive services, participate in society and access creative and cultural opportunities.

Rag and Bone Arts is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion at all levels of the organisation. We value diversity and recognise the wealth of benefits this can bring to the organisation and in creating a positive, welcoming and inclusive environment.

The objective of this policy is that no person should suffer or experience less favourable treatment, discrimination, harassment or lack of opportunities on the grounds of any protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010.

The protected characteristics are:

• age
• disability
• gender reassignment
• marriage and civil partnership
• pregnancy and maternity
• race
• religion or belief
• sex
• sexual orientation.

Rag and Bone Arts also recognises that people may experience unfair treatment or disadvantage for reasons beyond the protected characteristics listed in the Equality Act 2010. We will seek to avoid unjustifiable discrimination on any other grounds.

This policy will influence and affect every aspect of activities carried out at Rag and Bone Arts, including promotional work, the provision of services, employment, volunteering and participation in our activities.

In the provision of services and the employment of staff, we are committed to promoting equal opportunities for everyone. Throughout its activities, Rag and Bone Arts will treat people fairly and with dignity and respect, whether they are:

• seeking or using our services;
• applying for a job or already employed by us;
• trainee workers or students on work experience or placements; or
• volunteer workers.

Sex and gender reassignment
Rag and Bone Arts recognises that both sex and gender reassignment are protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.

Following the Supreme Court judgment in For Women Scotland Ltd v Scottish Ministers on 16 April 2025, the terms “sex”, “man” and “woman” in the Equality Act 2010 refer to biological sex. A Gender Recognition Certificate does not change a person's legal sex for the purposes of the Equality Act 2010.

People who are proposing to undergo, are undergoing or have undergone gender reassignment remain protected from discrimination under the separate protected characteristic of gender reassignment. A person does not need to have a Gender Recognition Certificate to have this protection.

Rag and Bone Arts is committed to treating everyone with dignity and respect and will not tolerate unlawful discrimination, harassment or victimisation on the grounds of sex or gender reassignment.

Where a particular service, activity or facility is provided separately for people of a particular sex, Rag and Bone Arts will consider the relevant provisions and exceptions under the Equality Act 2010 and applicable guidance. Any such approach will be considered carefully, taking account of the circumstances and purpose of the service or facility and the need to act lawfully and proportionately.

How the policy will be implemented and who is responsible
The Directors of Rag and Bone Arts have specific responsibility for the effective implementation of this policy.

All employees, volunteers and others working on behalf of Rag and Bone Arts are expected to abide by this policy and to help create an environment in which equality, diversity and inclusion are promoted.

In order to implement this policy we shall:

• communicate this policy to employees, job applicants, volunteers and relevant others;
• ensure that those involved in assessing candidates for recruitment or promotion use fair and non-discriminatory selection techniques;
• seek to ensure that our services and activities are accessible and inclusive;
• take complaints of discrimination, harassment and victimisation seriously;
• take appropriate action where unlawful discrimination or unacceptable behaviour occurs; and
• keep the policy under review to ensure that it remains appropriate and reflects changes in legislation and relevant guidance.

Recruitment and selection process
The recruitment and selection process is crucially important to any equal opportunities policy. We will endeavour to ensure that employees making selection and recruitment decisions do not discriminate, whether consciously or unconsciously, in making these decisions.

• Promotion and advancement will be made on merit and all decisions relating to this will be made within the overall framework and principles of this policy.
• Job descriptions, where used, will be reviewed to ensure that they are in line with our equal opportunities policy. Job requirements will be reflected accurately in any person specifications.
• We will adopt a consistent, fair and non-discriminatory approach to advertising vacancies.
• All applicants who apply for jobs with us will receive fair treatment and will be considered on their ability to meet the requirements of the job.
• Short-listing and interviewing will be carried out by more than one person where possible.
• Interview questions will be related to the requirements of the job and will not be discriminatory.
• Selection decisions will not be influenced by the actual or perceived prejudices of other staff, volunteers or other people involved in the recruitment process.
• Reasonable adjustments will be considered for disabled applicants and employees where appropriate.

Conduct and general standards of behaviour
All staff and volunteers are expected to conduct themselves in a professional, respectful and considerate manner at all times.

Rag and Bone Arts will not tolerate behaviour such as:

• making threats;
• physical violence;
• shouting;
• swearing at others;
• persistent rudeness;
• isolating, ignoring or refusing to work with certain people because of a protected characteristic;
• telling offensive jokes or name-calling;
• displaying offensive material or distributing such material via email, text message, social media or any other format;
• bullying, harassment or victimisation; or
• any other form of unlawful discrimination or behaviour that undermines the dignity or wellbeing of others.

The items on the above list of unacceptable behaviours may constitute disciplinary offences within Rag and Bone Arts and can lead to disciplinary action being taken.

We do, however, encourage staff to resolve misunderstandings and problems informally wherever possible, depending on the circumstances.

Whether a matter is dealt with informally or formally, it is important that people understand the impact of their behaviour. A person should not assume that behaviour is acceptable simply because they did not intend to cause offence.

Rag and Bone Arts will consider both the circumstances and the impact of behaviour when deciding how an issue should be addressed.

Complaints of discrimination
Rag and Bone Arts will take seriously all complaints of unlawful discrimination, harassment or victimisation made by employees, trustees, volunteers, clients, participants or other third parties.

Complaints will be investigated in accordance with the organisation's complaints procedure, as appropriate, and the complainant will be informed of the outcome in line with those procedures.

No person should be disadvantaged or treated unfairly for raising a genuine concern or making a complaint about discrimination.

We will also monitor the number and outcomes of complaints of discrimination made by staff, volunteers, clients, participants and other third parties where appropriate.

Legal obligations
Rag and Bone Arts is committed to complying with the Equality Act 2010 and other relevant equality and employment legislation.

The Equality Act 2010 brought together and replaced a number of previous pieces of anti-discrimination legislation and provides protection from discrimination on the basis of nine protected characteristics:

• age;
• disability;
• gender reassignment;
• marriage and civil partnership;
• pregnancy and maternity;
• race;
• religion or belief;
• sex; and
• sexual orientation.

The Equality Act 2010 has subsequently been amended, including by the Equality Act 2010 (Amendment) Regulations 2023, which came into force on 1 January 2024. These Regulations made a number of changes to ensure that protections under the Equality Act continued following changes to retained EU law.

The Supreme Court judgment in For Women Scotland Ltd v Scottish Ministers on 16 April 2025 confirmed that “sex”, “man” and “woman” in the Equality Act 2010 refer to biological sex. A Gender Recognition Certificate does not change a person's legal sex for the purposes of the Equality Act 2010.

The protected characteristic of gender reassignment remains in force. Trans people continue to be protected from unlawful discrimination because of gender reassignment and may also be protected from discrimination on the basis of sex.

Rag and Bone Arts will have regard to relevant guidance issued by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), including its statutory Code of Practice for services, public functions and associations.

The EHRC's updated Services, Public Functions and Associations Code of Practice came into force on 5 August 2026 and provides current guidance on the application of the Equality Act 2010 to organisations providing services.

Other legislation and guidance relevant to equality and employment may include:

• Human Rights Act 1998;
• Employment Rights Act 1996;
• Equality Act 2010;
• Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974; and
• other relevant employment, equality and safeguarding legislation as applicable.

This policy will be reviewed periodically and updated where necessary to reflect changes in legislation, case law and relevant guidance.

Monitoring
We will maintain and review employment records in order to monitor the effectiveness of this policy.

Monitoring may involve:

• the collection and classification of information regarding the protected characteristics of applicants and current employees, where appropriate and lawful;
• examining the distribution of employees and the success rate of applicants in relation to relevant characteristics;
• recording recruitment, training and promotional records, the decisions reached and, where appropriate, the reasons for those decisions; and
• reviewing any complaints relating to discrimination, harassment or victimisation.

Any monitoring will be carried out in accordance with applicable data protection legislation and principles.

The results of monitoring will be reviewed at appropriate intervals to assess the effectiveness of this policy. Where necessary, consideration will be given to making changes to our policies, practices or procedures to improve equality of opportunity and reduce disadvantage.

Last reviewed: September 2026
Next review: September 2027

1. Introduction

Rag & Bone Arts CIC is committed to protecting the privacy and security of personal information. This policy outlines how we collect, use, store and share data in compliance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
This policy applies to all employees, freelancers, volunteers, and partners who handle data on behalf of Rag & Bone Arts CIC.

2. Our Commitment

We will:
- Handle personal data lawfully, fairly and transparently.
- Collect data only for specific, explicit and legitimate purposes.
- Keep data accurate, relevant and limited to what is necessary.
- Store data securely and only for as long as necessary.
- Ensure that individuals can easily exercise their data protection rights.

3. What Data We Collect

We may collect and process the following types of personal data:
- Participant information: names, ages, contact details, school, emergency contacts, and medical/allergy information.
- Parent/guardian information: names, contact details, consent forms.
- Staff, artists and volunteers: contact details, references, DBS information, and emergency contacts.
- Images and media: photos, videos, and audio recordings, only with consent.
- Evaluation data: feedback forms, surveys and testimonials.
- Payment information: for bookings, workshops, or membership fees.

4. How We Use Personal Data

We use personal data to:
- Administer workshops, classes, and events.
- Communicate with participants, parents/guardians, and partners.
- Ensure the safety and wellbeing of participants.
- Process payments and manage bookings.
- Evaluate and improve our programmes.
- Promote our work (only with explicit consent).

5. Legal Basis for Processing

We process personal data under the following lawful bases:
- Contract: to deliver booked workshops or projects.
- Consent: for photography, marketing, and mailing lists.
- Legal obligation: safeguarding, health & safety, and financial record keeping.
- Legitimate interests: to run and develop our community arts activities.

6. Data Storage and Security

- Personal data is stored securely in password-protected digital systems and locked filing cabinets.
- Access is limited to authorised members of staff.
- Paper records are securely destroyed when no longer required.
- We use secure platforms for online communication and data storage.

7. Data Retention

We retain personal data only for as long as necessary:
- Participant data: up to 3 years after last contact.
- Financial records: 6 years (in line with HMRC requirements).
- Safeguarding or incident records: in line with statutory guidance.
- Photos and media: until consent is withdrawn or the material is no longer in use.

8. Sharing Data

We only share data when:
- Required by law or safeguarding duty.
- Necessary to deliver a project (with partner organisations under data sharing agreements).
- We have explicit consent from the data subject.
We never sell or trade personal data.

9. Individual Rights

Under GDPR, individuals have the right to:
- Access their personal data.
- Rectify inaccuracies.
- Request erasure (“right to be forgotten”).
- Restrict or object to processing.
- Withdraw consent at any time.
- Data portability (where applicable).
Requests should be made in writing to the Data Protection Lead. We will respond within one month.

10. Data Breaches

Any suspected or actual data breach must be reported immediately to the Data Protection Lead.
Where required, Rag & Bone Arts CIC will notify the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) within 72 hours and inform affected individuals as soon as possible.

11. Contact Information

Data Protection Lead: Laura Graham-May
Email: ragandbonearts@gmail.com

If you are unhappy with how we have handled your data, you can also contact the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO): www.ico.org.uk

12. Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if legislation or practice changes.

Rag and Bone Arts takes seriously their responsibility to ensure the safety of their staff and pupils/members. 

• Rag and Bone Arts will as far as possibly remove hazards in our working environment and where such hazards cannot be removed, put in place procedures and processes that protect children and adults from potential harm caused by hazards. This is to ensure that we take a balanced and proportionate approach to accident prevention so that staff and volunteers can do their work effectively and children and young people can be adventurous and can learn to understand and deal with risks as they grow up
• We will undertake a full risk assessment check on our hired premises and activities every six months and will use this as an opportunity to make sure that points for action identified in the previous check have been followed up and acted upon. Health and safety are the responsibility of the whole company, but the workshop leader/teacher/director will carry out a simple risk assessment check before the children/young people or any vulnerable adults are admitted to the rehearsal/performance spaces.
• Health and safety are the responsibility of the whole company, but the workshop leader/teacher/director will carry out a simple risk assessment check weekly before the children/young people or any vulnerable adults are admitted to the rehearsal/performance spaces.
• We will inform staff, volunteers, parents, carers and young people of their responsibilities to keep themselves safe, making sure they understand these and all relevant accident prevention procedures (i.e. appropriate behaviour during workshops).
• We will make sure that any equipment used is safe and stored appropriately and that staff, volunteers and where appropriate young people are trained in how to use it safely.
• In case of a Fire emergency all staff and volunteers will have a clear understanding of responsibilities following the procedures of the relevant venue.
• All attendees must complete a Registration Form when joining the company with clear information regarding emergency contacts and any relevant medical or other history to make sure that we are aware of any health, allergies or developmental issues that could increase the vulnerability of individual children and adults.
• We will check and update our records on children’s and adults’ medical needs, allergies etc at least annually.
• A copy of emergency contact numbers will be kept on group registers.
• Parents understand that dance, theatre games and performances can be as active as engagement as any sport, and whilst every effort is made to avoid them, injuries can happen. Rag and Bone Arts accepts no responsibility for injuries sustained via any means other than a teacher's negligence.
• Students/parents or guardians should inform the teaching staff/workshop leaders of any special health considerations or existing injuries before participating in class.
• It is Rag and Bone Arts responsibility to keep a fully equipped First Aid Box at all hired premises. We will check every six months that our First Aid box is in full working order and adequately stocked.
• In case of an incident – an Accident/Incident report will be made into the Accident book.
• If required we will contact the emergency services first, then the parent/guardian of the student(s) involved by the telephone number on the class registers.
• We will check our records of contract details for parents, carers and emergency facilities at least annually.
• It is the parent's responsibility to notify the school of any changes to their emergency contact details.
• Pupils will be supervised during class time only and parents/carers must ensure the safety of their children in the waiting, changing and toilet areas.
• Parents must be responsible for ensuring your child's punctuality. Staff are not available to supervise late pickups. Students may be refused entry if they are continuously late for e.g. a dance class as they are missing out on warming up safely for class.
• Dress code must be observed at all times, especially for safe dance/practical work.
• Pupils should not wear any jewellery that may pose a risk to themselves or others.
• No food (or chewing gum) is allowed in the rehearsal/workshop/performance’s spaces. Water is permitted in cap bottles.
• Staff and children should use separate toilets wherever possible, or if this is not possible, they should not use them at the same time as one another.

Public Insurance Liability

The Director of Rag and Bone Arts have public liability insurance and the certificate is displayed in the information folder, which is available during class time. Any locum teacher or guest workshop leader who teaches classes will be either covered via this insurance or will have their own personal insurance.

Smoking Policy

Rag and Bone Arts has a non-smoking policy, and smoking is not permitted anywhere within the centres where sessions take place. This is due to the health hazards of smoking and passive smoking, and also because the centres regularly hold activities which involve young children.

Drugs & Alcohol Policy

Rag and Bones Arts has a strict no drugs & alcohol policy. Any pupil, teacher or volunteer found using drugs or alcohol whilst attending workshops/rehearsals or working for the company, will be presented with a verbal warning. Parents will be advised if the pupil is under the age of 18 years.

Guidelines for use of photographic filming at performance events

If any kind of photographic material or video of your child is required e.g. DVD of a performance or for advertisement material, then parental permission will be requested. Students/parents/carers are not allowed to record or take photos during classes or performances.

Rag and Bone Arts policy on unsupervised children

• Children in workshops/rehearsals/performances are under the care and supervision of the director/workshop leader
• Children who have breaks between classes or wait for classes to start are NOT under the supervision or responsibility of Rag and Bone Arts, the venue in which sessions take place are also NOT responsible for your child during these times.

Our Health and Safety Officer are Charlie Graham-May. He can be contacted on 07850 879177

Appendix 1 - Incident/Accident reporting

This should include:

• Name, address and age of the person involved in the incident
• Name, address and occupation of the person completing the report
• Date, time and place of incident
• How the incident happened, including cause (if known)
• Any resulting injuries.

Appendix 2: Risk Assessment reporting

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1. Purpose

This policy aims to protect staff, freelancers, and volunteers who may work alone while delivering activities for Rag & Bone Arts, and to reduce risks associated with lone working.

Lone working includes situations where a person is teaching or preparing for a session on their own, even if other people are present elsewhere in the building.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all staff, freelancers, and volunteers working on behalf of Rag & Bone Arts, including those delivering drama, dance, and art sessions.

3. What is Lone Working?

Lone working may include:

• Teaching a class on your own
• Setting up or clearing away alone
• Working in a building where others are present but not directly supporting you

4. Risks of Lone Working

Potential risks include:

• Accidents or sudden illness
• Challenging behaviour from participants
• Safeguarding concerns
• Fire or building emergencies

5. Control Measures

Planning and Communication

• All lone workers must know who else is in the building and how to contact them.
• Emergency contact details for the venue and Rag & Bone Arts must be accessible.
• Staff should inform a manager or colleague of session times and location.

During Sessions

• Where possible, ensure another responsible adult is on site.
• Keep doors unlocked (where appropriate) and ensure visibility into teaching spaces.
• Follow safeguarding procedures at all times.
• Avoid being alone with a child or vulnerable person behind closed doors unless unavoidable and agreed within safeguarding guidance.

Health and Safety

• Carry a mobile phone and keep it charged.
• Know the venue’s fire exits, first aid arrangements, and emergency procedures.
• Report hazards or incidents as soon as possible.

After Sessions

• Let a manager or nominated contact know when the session has finished.
• Avoid leaving venues late at night alone where possible.

6. Responsibilities

Rag & Bone Arts will:

• Assess risks related to lone working.
• Provide clear safeguarding and health and safety guidance.
• Ensure workers know who to contact in an emergency.

Lone Workers will:

• Follow this policy and all safeguarding procedures.
• Take reasonable steps to protect their own safety.
• Report concerns, incidents, or near misses promptly.

7. Emergencies

In an emergency:

• Call emergency services if needed.
• Contact venue staff and Rag & Bone Arts as soon as it is safe to do so.

Laura:07850 893283

Charlie:07850 879177

• Record the incident following Rag & Bone Arts procedures.

8. Review

This policy will be reviewed regularly and updated if working practices or risks change.

September 2026

This policy explains when refunds may be given for workshops, courses, events, and projects run by Rag & Bone Arts.

1. Cancellations by Participants

• If you cancel more than 7 days before the activity start date, you will receive a full refund.
• If you cancel within 7 days of the start date, a refund will not normally be given, unless your place can be filled from a waiting list.
• If you do not attend without giving notice, no refund will be issued.

2. Illness or Exceptional Circumstances

• If you cannot attend due to illness or an emergency, please contact us as soon as possible.
• We may offer a partial or full refund or a credit for a future activity, at our discretion.

3. Cancellations by Rag & Bone Arts

• If we have to cancel an activity, you will be offered either:
  • A full refund, or
  • A place on a rescheduled session or alternative activity.

4. Part-Completed Courses or Projects

• Refunds are not usually given for sessions already attended.
• If a course is stopped early for reasons beyond your control, we will assess refunds or credits on a case-by-case basis.

5. How to Request a Refund

• Requests must be made by email to ragandbonearts@gmail.com
• Please include your name, the activity booked, and the reason for cancellation.

6. Payments Made Through Partners

• If you booked through a school, funder, or partner organisation, their refund policy may apply instead.

Rag & Bone Arts aims to be fair, flexible, and supportive while ensuring we can cover the real costs of running creative activities.

January 2026

Rag and Bone Arts believe that protection from abuse should become an integral part of the policy and practice of all organisations working with, or coming into contact with, vulnerable adults. We have a commitment to protecting vulnerable adults with/for whom we work. 

The broad definition of a vulnerable adult is: 

‘A person who is 18 years of age or over, and who is or may be in need of community care services by reason of mental or other disability, age or illness and who is or may be unable to take care of him/herself, or unable to protect him/herself against significant harm or serious exploitation’ 

People with learning disabilities, mental health problems, older people and disabled people may fall within this definition. 

We must ensure that: 

• All vulnerable adults, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious belief and/or sexual identity have the right to protection from abuse.
• All staff and volunteers are aware of the issues of safeguarding and the risks to vulnerable groups.
• All staff and volunteers have a responsibility to report concerns regarding the safety of vulnerable people to the Safeguarding Lead.
• All suspicion and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately ensuring that action is taken to support and protect vulnerable people.

Good Practice Guidelines 

All staff and volunteers should be actively encouraged to demonstrate exemplary behaviour in order to protect themselves from false allegations. The following are practical examples of how to create a positive, non-threatening culture and climate. 

Good practice in reality means: 

• Always working in an open environment e.g. avoiding private or unobserved situations.
• Being aware of personal space and keeping an appropriate distance.
• Treating all vulnerable people with respect and dignity.
• Always putting the welfare of vulnerable people first.
• Building balanced relationships based on mutual trust, which empowers vulnerable people to share in the decision-making process.
• Being an excellent role model
• Keeping a written record of any injury that occurs or any extraordinary situation.Staff and volunteers should:

Be aware of situations, which may present risks. 

• Plan and organise the work and the workplace so as to minimise risks.
• Ensure that a culture of openness exists to enable any issues of concern to be discussed.
• Ensure that a sense of accountability exists between staff so that poor practice or potentially abusive behaviour does not go unchallenged.
• Be alert and to feel confident about reporting abuse (underpinned by appropriate and ongoing training and support).
• It is not the responsibility of anyone working for or with Rag and Bone Arts, in a paid or unpaid capacity, to decide whether or not abuse has taken place. There is, however, a responsibility to act on any concerns and report them to the designated Safeguarding lead person who will then contact the appropriate authorities.

Staff and volunteers must never: 

• Hit or otherwise physically assault or abuse vulnerable people.
• Develop physical, sexual relationships with vulnerable people.
• Develop relationships with vulnerable people, which could in any way be deemed inappropriate or exploitative.
• Act in ways that may be abusive or place vulnerable people at risk of abuse.
• Use language, make suggestions or offer advice, which is inappropriate, offensive or abusive.
• Behave in an inappropriate or sexually provocative manner.
• Allow vulnerable people, with whom they are working, to stay overnight at their home unsupervised.
• Sleep in the same room as vulnerable people on residential experiences.
Do things of a personal nature that vulnerable people are able to do for themselves.
• Condone, or participate in the behaviour of vulnerable people, which is illegal, abusive or unsafe.
• Intentionally act in ways intended to shame, humiliate or degrade vulnerable people.
• Discriminate against, show differential treatment, or favour particular individuals to the exclusion of others.

Appendix 1 - Definition of a Vulnerable Adult 

A vulnerable adult is someone who is aged 18 years or over who ‘is or may be in need of community care services by reasons of mental health or other disability, age or illness’ and ‘is or may be unable to take care of him or herself, or unable to protect him or herself against significant harm or exploitation’. 

A vulnerable adult may be a person who is: 

• • elderly or frail
• • has learning disabilities
• • suffers from mental illness
• • has a physical disability
• • is a substance mis-user
• • is homeless
• • is in an abusive relationship

It should be noted that disability or age alone does not signify that an adult is vulnerable.  Appendix 2 – Definition and indicators of Adult abuse 

Abuse can consist of a single or repeated act of harm or exploitation. It may be perpetrated as a result of deliberate intent, negligence or ignorance. Abuse can be verbal, physical, emotional, psychological, or a result of neglect or an omission to act. Abuse can also occur when a

vulnerable adult is persuaded to enter into a financial arrangement or sexual relationship to which they have not, or could not, consent to or understand e.g. as a result of physical or mental incapacity. 

Physical Abuse – includes hitting, slapping, pushing, and misuse of medication, undue restraint or inappropriate sanctions. Possible indicators include multiple bruising, which is not consistent with the explanation given; cowering and flinching; unusually sleepy or docile. 

Sexual Abuse – includes rape and sexual assault or sexual acts to which the vulnerable adult has not, or could not, consent and/or was pressured into consenting. Possible indicators include unexplained and uncharacteristic changes in behaviour; excessive washing; deliberate self-harm. 

Psychological Abuse – includes threats of harm or abandonment, humiliation, verbal or racial abuse, isolation or withdrawal from services or supportive networks. Possible indicators include anxiety, confusion or general resignation; loss of confidence; excessive or inappropriate craving for attention. 

Financial Abuse – includes theft, fraud, pressure around wills, property or inheritance, misuse or misappropriation of benefits. Possible indicators include unexplained or sudden inability to pay bills; sudden withdrawal of money from accounts; personal possessions going missing. 

Neglect and/or Acts of Omission – includes failure to access medical care or services, failure to give prescribed medication, poor nutrition or lack of heating. Possible indicators include poor hygiene and cleanliness; repeated infections; reluctant contact with health and social care agencies. 

Whilst not classified as an individual category of abuse, racial and homophobia motivated abuse can take any of the above forms and needs to be noted. Domestic Abuse is a serious crime and must be treated as such. Victims of domestic abuse may also be vulnerable adults within the meaning of the Adult Protection procedures. 

Appendix 3 - What to do if abuse is suspected 

If abuse is suspected or reported, employees should act in line with local policies and procedures to: 

• Take reasonable steps to ensure the adult is in no immediate danger
• Contact the police if it is believed a crime may have been committed
• Obtain permission from the vulnerable adult before disclosing confidential information about them
• Where appropriate, discuss concerns with the Safeguarding Lead. If, after discussion, abuse or neglect is still considered to be a possibility, referral should be made to the Social Services Department. See Safeguarding Policy for reporting/referral detail.

Originally written by Katie Bradbury

Last Reviewed by Emily Malcolm October 2025 

Due for Review October 2026

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Laura Graham May – 07850 893283

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL): Charlie Graham-May – 07850 879177

1. Policy Statement
Rag and Bone Arts believes that:

• All organisations have a duty of care towards children and young people who use their services or take part in their activities.
• All children and young people should be encouraged to fulfil their potential and inequalities should be challenged.
• Everybody has a responsibility to support the care and protection of children.
• Children and young people have the right to be listened to, respected and protected from harm.
• Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility.

Rag and Bone Arts is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people under the age of 18 who take part in our activities.

Where Rag and Bone Arts works with young adults over the age of 18, including care leavers or young adults with learning difficulties, appropriate safeguarding arrangements will also be put in place. This policy should be read alongside Rag and Bone Arts' Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Policy where appropriate.

We recognise our responsibility to take all reasonable steps to promote safe practice and protect children and young people from abuse, neglect, exploitation and other forms of harm.

We aim to provide safe, welcoming, inclusive, participatory and creative opportunities for all children and young people who take part in Rag and Bone Arts activities.

All staff, freelance artists, contractors and volunteers are expected to contribute to a culture in which safeguarding is taken seriously, concerns are acted upon and children and young people are treated with dignity and respect.

2. Purpose of the Policy
The purpose of this policy is:

• To protect children and young people who receive services from or participate in Rag and Bone Arts activities.
• To provide staff, artists, freelancers, contractors and volunteers with clear guidance on safeguarding responsibilities.
• To ensure that safeguarding concerns are recognised, recorded, reported and acted upon appropriately.
• To provide clear procedures for responding when a child or young person discloses abuse or when concerns arise about their welfare.
• To support safer recruitment and appropriate DBS checking.
• To ensure that Rag and Bone Arts responds appropriately to concerns relating to radicalisation and extremism under the Prevent safeguarding framework.
• To establish clear expectations around professional boundaries, online communication, photography, physical contact and working with children.
• To ensure that safeguarding arrangements are proportionate to the activities and risks involved.
• To comply with relevant legislation, statutory guidance and good safeguarding practice

3. Safeguarding Principles
Rag and Bone Arts will endeavour to safeguard children and young people by ensuring that:

• The welfare of the child is paramount.
• Children and young people are treated with respect and dignity.
• All children have a positive and enjoyable experience in a safe and child-centred environment.
• Children are listened to and their views are taken seriously.
• All children are treated fairly, regardless of age, disability, sex, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, language or background.
• Discrimination, bullying and harassment are challenged.
• Appropriate safeguarding procedures and professional codes of conduct are followed.
• Staff, volunteers, freelance artists and contractors are recruited and appointed safely.
• Appropriate DBS checks are undertaken where a role is legally eligible for them.
• Safeguarding concerns are shared appropriately with parents/carers and relevant agencies, taking account of the child's safety and best interests.
• Staff and volunteers receive appropriate safeguarding information and training.
• All safeguarding concerns and allegations are taken seriously and responded to promptly.
• Safeguarding arrangements are reviewed when activities, roles or risks change.
• Health and safety requirements are followed.
• Children and young people are protected from abuse, neglect, exploitation, radicalisation and other forms of harm.
• Appropriate arrangements are in place for online safety and digital communication.
• Appropriate records are maintained securely.
• Staff understand that safeguarding is everyone's responsibility.

When working in a school, college, youth setting or other partner organisation, Rag and Bone Arts staff, artists and volunteers will follow the host organisation's safeguarding procedures in addition to Rag and Bone Arts' own policies.

4. Types of Abuse and Safeguarding Concerns
Safeguarding concerns may include, but are not limited to:

Physical abuse
Deliberately causing physical injury or harm.

Emotional or psychological abuse
Persistent behaviour that causes emotional harm, including humiliation, intimidation, threats, controlling behaviour or deliberately undermining a child's self-esteem.

Sexual abuse
Forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activity, whether or not the child understands what is happening.

Neglect
The persistent failure to meet a child's basic physical or emotional needs.

Child sexual exploitation
The manipulation or exploitation of children and young people for sexual purposes.

Child Criminal exploitation
The exploitation of children or young people for criminal activity, including county lines, drug supply, theft or other forms of criminal exploitation.

Domestic abuse
Children may experience harm through witnessing or being affected by domestic abuse within their family or household.

Online abuse
This may include grooming, sexual exploitation, cyberbullying, coercion, harassment, inappropriate contact, image-based abuse or exposure to harmful content.

Bullying and harassment
Bullying, including cyberbullying, prejudice-based bullying and discriminatory behaviour, will not be tolerated.

Peer-on-peer abuse
Children and young people can harm other children and young people. This may include bullying, sexual harassment, sexual violence, sharing sexual images, coercive behaviour, physical assault or other harmful behaviour.

Concerns about peer-on-peer abuse will always be taken seriously.

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
Any concern that a child may be at risk of FGM must be treated as a safeguarding concern and reported in accordance with local safeguarding procedures.

Radicalisation and extremism
Children and young people may be vulnerable to being influenced by extremist ideologies or drawn towards terrorism. Concerns about radicalisation must be treated as safeguarding concerns and reported to the DSL.

Modern slavery and trafficking
Children may be exploited through trafficking, forced labour, criminal exploitation or sexual exploitation.

Missing children
A child or young person going missing or being absent unexpectedly may be an indicator of safeguarding concerns and should be considered in context.

Other safeguarding concerns
Staff should also report concerns relating to a child's welfare, including concerns about mental wellbeing, self-harm, substance misuse, homelessness, exploitation, unsafe adults or other circumstances which may place the child at risk.

taff do not need to decide whether abuse has occurred. Their responsibility is to recognise concerns, report them and record what they have seen, heard or been told.

5. Designated Safeguarding Lead
Rag and Bone Arts has a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) responsible for overseeing safeguarding arrangements.

DSL:
Laura Graham May, Director
Telephone: 07850 893283
Deputy DSL:
Charlie Graham-May
Telephone: 07850 879177

The DSL will:

• Ensure that this policy is implemented and reviewed.
• Act as the main point of contact for safeguarding concerns.
• Ensure concerns are appropriately recorded.
• Make referrals to children's social care, the police or other relevant agencies where necessary.
• Ensure that safeguarding concerns relating to staff, artists or volunteers are dealt with appropriately.
• Liaise with partner organisations where safeguarding responsibilities overlap.
• Ensure staff and volunteers understand their safeguarding responsibilities.
• Maintain appropriate safeguarding records securely.
• Ensure relevant safeguarding training is undertaken.
• Ensure Prevent concerns are dealt with appropriately.
• Seek advice from statutory agencies where necessary.
• Ensure safeguarding arrangements are reviewed following significant incidents or changes in legislation or guidance.

If the DSL is unavailable, concerns should be reported to the Deputy DSL.

If neither is available and a child is at immediate risk, staff should contact the appropriate emergency or safeguarding service directly and inform the DSL as soon as possible.

6. Everyone's Responsibility
Safeguarding is the responsibility of everyone working for or with Rag and Bone Arts.

All staff, freelance artists, contractors and volunteers must:

• Familiarise themselves with this policy.
• Attend required safeguarding training or briefings.
• Maintain professional boundaries.
• Report safeguarding concerns promptly.
• Report concerns about the behaviour of another adult towards a child.
• Follow the organisation's code of conduct.
• Follow procedures concerning photography, social media and online communication.
• Never promise a child that information will be kept secret.
• Record safeguarding concerns accurately and promptly.
• Cooperate with safeguarding investigations where required.

No member of staff, artist, volunteer or contractor should investigate a safeguarding concern themselves.

7. Safer Recruitment
Rag and Bone Arts will take reasonable and proportionate steps to ensure that people working with children are suitable for their role.

Recruitment and appointment procedures will include, as appropriate:

• A clear role description.
• Identification of safeguarding responsibilities within the role.
• Appropriate application and selection procedures.
• Identity checks.
• References.
• Consideration of employment or volunteering history and relevant gaps.
• Appropriate safeguarding questions during recruitment.
• DBS checks where the role is legally eligible.
• Verification of relevant qualifications where appropriate.
• Consideration of any safeguarding concerns arising during recruitment.

Rag and Bone Arts will not rely on a DBS check alone when assessing whether a person is suitable to work with children.

8. DBS Checks and Regulated Activity with Children
Rag and Bone Arts recognises that the rules concerning regulated activity with children changed on 1 September 2026.

The previous supervision exemption has been removed. This means that a person who teaches, trains, instructs, cares for or supervises children may be in regulated activity even when another suitably checked adult is supervising them.

For these purposes, activity is generally considered to be undertaken often enough where it takes place:

• on more than 3 days in any 30-day period; or
• overnight, between 2am and 6am.

Where a role meets the legal definition of regulated activity with children, Rag and Bone Arts will ensure that the appropriate level of DBS check is obtained, including a Children's Barred List check where legally applicable.

The DBS level required will be assessed according to the actual duties, frequency and circumstances of the role.

Freelance artists and visiting practitioners
Rag and Bone Arts frequently works with freelance artists, visiting practitioners and sessional workers.

A freelance artist does not automatically require an Enhanced DBS with Children's Barred List check simply because they are working with children.

Before appointing a freelance artist, Rag and Bone Arts will assess:

• What the artist will actually be doing.
• Whether they will teach, train, instruct, care for or supervise children.
• How frequently they will undertake the activity.
• Whether the work takes place overnight.
• Whether the activity meets the definition of regulated activity.
• Whether the role is legally eligible for an Enhanced DBS check.
• Whether a Children's Barred List check is legally permitted or required.
• Whether the artist will have unsupervised access to children.
• The arrangements for supervision and safeguarding.
• The nature and duration of the project.

Where a role is not legally eligible for a particular DBS check, Rag and Bone Arts will not request a level of check to which it is not entitled.

Where an artist does not require a DBS check, Rag and Bone Arts may nevertheless apply other safeguarding measures appropriate to the risk, including:

• Verification of identity.
• References.
• Checking professional experience and qualifications.
• A safeguarding discussion or interview.
• A clear written agreement and code of conduct.
• Appropriate supervision or staffing arrangements where appropriate.
• Ensuring the artist does not have inappropriate or unnecessary access to children.
• Clear reporting arrangements.
• A risk assessment for the activity.

Where an artist's role or pattern of work changes, the DBS eligibility assessment will be reconsidered.

Existing DBS certificates
DBS certificates do not have an official expiry date.

Rag and Bone Arts will therefore not automatically reject a DBS certificate simply because it is more than two years old.
Instead, the organisation will consider:

• The date of the certificate.
• The level and workforce of the certificate.
• Whether it includes a Children's Barred List check where required.
• Whether the person's role has changed.
• Whether the person is subscribed to the DBS Update Service.
• The nature and level of safeguarding risk.
• Whether a new check is appropriate.

Where an individual is subscribed to the DBS Update Service, Rag and Bone Arts may undertake a status check with the individual's consent where legally entitled to do so.

The Update Service will not be treated as continuous monitoring and will be used alongside other safer recruitment and safeguarding measures.

Where the role requires a different level or type of DBS check, a new check will be obtained.

Rag and Bone Arts will keep appropriate records of DBS checks and eligibility decisions securely and in accordance with data protection requirements.

9. Working with Artists Without a DBS Check
Rag and Bone Arts recognises that cultural organisations may occasionally engage artists or practitioners for short-term activities where the individual is not legally eligible for, or does not require, an Enhanced DBS with Children's Barred List check.

The absence of a DBS check does not by itself mean that an artist is unsuitable.

However, Rag and Bone Arts will ensure that the safeguarding arrangements are appropriate to the particular activity.
Where an artist does not have a DBS check and the role is not regulated activity, the organisation will consider whether additional safeguards are required.

These may include:

• Another appropriately authorised adult being present.
• Working in an open or observable environment.
• Avoiding one-to-one unsupervised contact.
• Ensuring children are not left alone with the artist.
• Clear arrival and departure arrangements.
• Clear boundaries concerning physical contact.
• Appropriate professional references.
• Verification of identity and experience.
• A written code of conduct.
• A clear safeguarding briefing before the activity.
• Immediate access to the DSL or another responsible adult.

However, supervision will not be used to avoid a DBS check where the role meets the definition of regulated activity under the rules applying from 1 September 2026.

The organisation will reassess DBS requirements if an artist's role becomes more frequent, changes in nature or involves greater responsibility for children.

10. Prevent and Safeguarding Against Radicalisation
Rag and Bone Arts recognises that safeguarding children includes protecting them from the risk of radicalisation and being drawn into terrorism.

Prevent is part of the wider safeguarding framework. The Prevent duty aims to:

• Tackle the ideological causes of terrorism.
• Intervene early to support people who may be susceptible to radicalisation.
• Support people who have already engaged in terrorism to disengage and rehabilitate.

The statutory Prevent duty applies to specified authorities. While Rag and Bone Arts is not necessarily itself a specified authority, the organisation recognises Prevent as an important part of good safeguarding practice and will cooperate with relevant safeguarding partners where concerns arise.

Staff should be aware that radicalisation can occur in a variety of ways and may take place online as well as in person.

Possible indicators may include:

• Sudden changes in behaviour, relationships or interests.
• Increased isolation or withdrawal.
• Expressions of extremist or hateful views.
• Increasing fixation on extremist content.
• Attempts to access or distribute extremist material.
• Exposure to extremist content online.
• Language or behaviour suggesting support for violence or terrorism.
• Attempts by others to influence or manipulate a child or young person.
• Other significant changes that cause a member of staff to be concerned.

These indicators do not automatically mean that a child is being radicalised. Concerns should be considered in context and reported rather than assumptions being made.

Responding to a Prevent concern
Any concern about radicalisation or extremism should be reported to the DSL.

The DSL will:

• Listen to and record the concern.
• Consider the concern alongside other information available.
• Seek appropriate advice where necessary.
• Consider whether the concern should be referred through local Prevent or safeguarding procedures.
• Contact the police where there is an immediate risk or criminal concern.

Staff should not attempt to challenge extremist views themselves or conduct their own investigation.

Prevent concerns will be handled proportionately and with the same principles of confidentiality, safeguarding and information sharing as other safeguarding concerns.

Rag and Bone Arts will ensure that relevant staff receive appropriate Prevent awareness training or briefing.

The DSL will keep up to date with local Prevent arrangements and relevant changes to national guidance.

11. Information Sharing
Safeguarding information will be shared where this is necessary to protect a child or young person.

Rag and Bone Arts recognises that safeguarding sometimes requires information to be shared between organisations and agencies.

Information will be:

• Shared lawfully and appropriately.
• Relevant and proportionate.
• Accurate and recorded appropriately.
• Shared with the appropriate people.
• Handled securely.

Consent will be sought where appropriate. However, staff should not delay sharing information where doing so could place a child at greater risk.

The organisation will follow current statutory guidance on information sharing and safeguarding.

12. Responding to a Child's Disclosure
If a child or young person tells a member of staff that they are experiencing abuse or harm, the adult should:

• Stay calm.
• Listen carefully.
• Take the child seriously.
• Allow them to speak at their own pace.
• Avoid leading questions.
• Ask only questions necessary to clarify what the child is saying.
• Reassure the child that they have done the right thing by telling someone.
• Explain that the information cannot be kept secret.
• Explain what will happen next.
• Tell the child who the information will be shared with where appropriate.
• Report the concern to the DSL as soon as possible.

Staff must not:

• Promise confidentiality.
• Investigate the allegation themselves.
• Ask leading or investigative questions.
• Confront an alleged abuser.
• Attempt to determine whether the allegation is true.

The person receiving the disclosure is not responsible for deciding whether abuse has occurred.

13. Recording Concerns
Safeguarding concerns must be recorded as soon as possible.

Records should include:

• The child's name.
• Date and time.
• What was observed, said or reported.
• The child's own words wherever possible.
• Names of people involved.
• Any immediate action taken.
• Who the concern was reported to.
• Date and time the concern was reported.
• Any advice or referral made.

Records should distinguish clearly between fact, observation and opinion.

Safeguarding records must be stored securely and only accessed by people who need the information.

14. Allegations or Concerns About Staff, Artists, Contractors or Volunteers
Any concern about the behaviour of an employee, freelance artist, contractor or volunteer towards a child must be reported immediately to the DSL.

This includes concerns that an adult has:

• Behaved inappropriately towards a child.
• Breached professional boundaries.
• Used inappropriate physical contact.
• Communicated inappropriately with a child.
• Sent inappropriate messages or images.
• Harmed or potentially harmed a child.
• Failed to follow safeguarding procedures.
• Put a child at risk.

Where the concern relates to the DSL, it should be reported to the board of trustees and/or the relevant local authority safeguarding service.

Where an allegation concerns an adult who works with children, Rag and Bone Arts will seek advice from the appropriate Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) and/or children's social care as required.

The organisation will not conduct an internal investigation where doing so could interfere with statutory safeguarding procedures.

15. Professional Conduct and Boundaries
All adults working with children for Rag and Bone Arts are expected to maintain appropriate professional boundaries.

Adults must:

• Treat children with dignity and respect.
• Use appropriate language.
• Maintain professional relationships.
• Avoid unnecessary one-to-one situations.
• Avoid favouritism.
• Avoid giving children personal gifts unless authorised as part of an activity.
• Avoid private communication with children through personal social media accounts.
• Report concerns about another adult's conduct.
• Follow safeguarding and health and safety procedures.

Adults must never:

• Hit, physically punish or deliberately humiliate a child.
• Use sexualised language or behaviour.
• Develop inappropriate personal relationships with children.
• Share inappropriate images or material with children.
• Communicate privately with children through personal social media.
• Use their position to gain inappropriate access to children.

16. Physical Contact
Rag and Bone Arts recognises that physical contact may sometimes be necessary in arts, dance, theatre or other creative activities.

Physical contact must:

• Be appropriate to the activity.
• Be necessary and proportionate.
• Be explained to the child.
• Take account of the child's wishes and boundaries.
• Be carried out professionally.
• Avoid unnecessary or intimate contact.

Where an activity involves physical contact, staff should explain the nature and purpose of the contact beforehand wherever possible.

A child has the right to say no to physical contact, subject to any legitimate safety requirement.

17. Online Safety and Digital Communication
Rag and Bone Arts recognises that children and young people may be exposed to safeguarding risks online.

Staff, artists and volunteers must:

• Maintain professional boundaries online.
• Communicate with children through organisational systems where communication is necessary.
• Communicate with parents/carers rather than children through personal accounts wherever possible.
• Never send inappropriate messages, photographs or other material to children.
• Never request inappropriate images from children.
• Report concerns about online abuse or inappropriate digital communication.

Staff and volunteers should not:

• Add children to personal social media accounts.
• Follow children on personal social media.
• Engage in private social media messaging with children unless specifically authorised as part of an appropriate organisational communication system.

Cyberbullying and online abuse will be treated as safeguarding concerns.

18. Photography, Filming and Images
Rag and Bone Arts will take appropriate steps to protect children's privacy and safety when photographs or videos are taken.

Before using photographs or video of children for publicity, websites, social media or promotional purposes, appropriate parental/carer consent will be obtained.

Rag and Bone Arts will:

• Avoid publishing unnecessary personal information.
• Use first names only where names are required.
• Avoid linking photographs to unnecessary identifying information.
• Store images securely.
• Only use images for agreed purposes.
• Ensure that staff and artists understand the photography arrangements for each project.

Personal photography by children, parents or visitors will be managed according to the requirements of the particular venue and activity.

No photography or filming should take place in changing areas or toilets.

19. Parents and Carers
Rag and Bone Arts believes that safeguarding works best when there is a positive partnership with parents and carers.

Parents and carers will be provided with appropriate information about:

• Safeguarding arrangements.
• Who the DSL is.
• How to raise a concern.
• Collection arrangements.
• Emergency contact arrangements.
• Photography and image permissions.
• Relevant activity-specific safeguarding procedures.

Parents and carers are expected to support Rag and Bone Arts in maintaining a safe environment for all children.

Where a safeguarding concern has arisen, Rag and Bone Arts will normally work openly with parents/carers.

However, information will not be shared with a parent/carer where doing so could place the child at greater risk or interfere with safeguarding procedures.

20. Supervision and Unsupervised Contact
Rag and Bone Arts will assess the risks associated with each activity.

Where possible:

• There should be more than one responsible adult present when working with children.
• Activities should take place in open or observable spaces.
• Adults should avoid unnecessary one-to-one situations.
• Children should not be left alone with adults who are not authorised to supervise them.
• Appropriate arrangements should be made for arrival and collection.

These arrangements are safeguarding measures and do not replace a DBS eligibility assessment.

Where an individual is legally required to have an Enhanced DBS with Children's Barred List information, appropriate checks must be completed before they undertake regulated activity.

21. Behaviour
Rag and Bone Arts expects children and adults to treat one another with respect.

Unacceptable behaviour may include:

• Bullying.
• Physical aggression.
• Threatening behaviour.
• Discriminatory language.
• Harassment.
• Sexual harassment.
• Online abuse.
• Behaviour which puts another person at risk.

All prejudice-related incidents will be challenged.

Behaviour management will be proportionate, fair and consistent.

Physical punishment will never be used.

Where behaviour presents a safeguarding concern, this will be reported to the DSL.

22. Safeguarding During Productions and Performances
At the beginning of a production or performance project, Rag and Bone Arts will:

• Undertake an appropriate risk assessment.
• Identify safeguarding responsibilities.
• Identify the DSL or designated safeguarding contact for the project.
• Ensure appropriate staffing and supervision.
• Ensure relevant workers are appropriately recruited and checked.
• Check DBS eligibility where applicable.
• Ensure children are supervised appropriately.
• Establish clear arrangements for changing areas and toilets.
• Establish arrival and collection arrangements.
• Ensure emergency contact and medical information is available to authorised staff.
• Ensure staff know how to report safeguarding concerns.
• Ensure venue-specific safeguarding procedures are understood.

23. Chaperoning
Where children require chaperones, Rag and Bone Arts will ensure that appropriate arrangements are made in accordance with the requirements of the production, venue and local authority.

Chaperones should:

• Wear identification where required.
• Know which children they are responsible for.
• Have appropriate emergency contact information.
• Know relevant medical information.
• Know fire exits and emergency procedures.
• Know who to contact if there is a safeguarding concern.
• Ensure children are supervised appropriately.
• Monitor arrival, departure and breaks.
• Challenge inappropriate behaviour.
• Maintain professional boundaries.
• Record relevant attendance or time information where required.

Chaperones must not:

• Leave children unnecessarily with another adult.
• Take photographs without permission.
• Use inappropriate language.
• Smoke while on duty.
• Consume alcohol or be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Give preferential treatment to their own child.
• Allow a child to participate where doing so presents a significant health or safety concern.

24. Health, Safety and Medical Information
Rag and Bone Arts will ensure that appropriate contact, medical and emergency information is available for children taking part in activities.

Information will be kept securely and only made available to those who need it for safeguarding, welfare or emergency purposes.

Risk assessments will be undertaken for activities where appropriate.

25. Whistleblowing
Rag and Bone Arts promotes a culture in which staff, artists, contractors and volunteers feel able to raise safeguarding concerns.

Anyone who has concerns about the behaviour of another adult should report them without delay to the DSL or Deputy DSL.

Concerns will be taken seriously and handled appropriately.

No person should be disadvantaged for raising a genuine safeguarding concern.

Where a person does not feel able to report a concern internally, they may seek advice from an appropriate external safeguarding agency or statutory body.

26. Working With Partner Organisations
Where Rag and Bone Arts delivers activities in partnership with schools, colleges, youth organisations, community organisations or other settings, safeguarding responsibilities will be agreed in advance.

Where appropriate, this will include agreement about:

• Who is responsible for safeguarding.
• Who the DSL or safeguarding contact is.
• DBS requirements.
• Supervision arrangements.
• Collection arrangements.
• Emergency procedures.
• Photography.
• First aid.
• Reporting safeguarding concerns.
• Information sharing.

Where activities take place on school premises, Rag and Bone Arts staff, artists and volunteers will follow the school's safeguarding requirements in addition to Rag and Bone Arts procedures.

27. Training
Rag and Bone Arts will ensure that staff, artists and volunteers receive safeguarding information appropriate to their role.

Training and briefings will cover, as appropriate:

• Recognising abuse and neglect.
• Responding to disclosures.
• Reporting and recording concerns.
• Professional boundaries.
• Online safety.
• Peer-on-peer abuse.
• Child sexual exploitation and criminal exploitation.
• Prevent and radicalisation.
• Equality and discrimination.
• Safer recruitment.
• DBS requirements.
• Activity-specific safeguarding risks.

The DSL will undertake appropriate safeguarding training and keep their knowledge up to date.

Training will be reviewed when legislation, statutory guidance or local safeguarding arrangements change.

28. Safeguarding Risk Assessments
Safeguarding will be considered as part of activity risk assessments.

Risk assessments should consider:

• The age and needs of children.
• The nature of the activity.
• Staffing levels.
• DBS requirements.
• Whether adults will have unsupervised access.
• The venue.
• Arrival and collection arrangements.
• Changing arrangements.
• Online activity.
• Photography and filming.
• Physical contact.
• Travel.
• Overnight activity.
• Potential exploitation or radicalisation risks.
• Any additional vulnerabilities or needs.

Risk assessments will be reviewed when circumstances change.

29. Emergency Situations
If a child or young person is in immediate danger, staff should contact the emergency services by calling 999.

Where there is a safeguarding concern that does not require an immediate emergency response, the concern should be reported to the DSL and referred to the appropriate children's safeguarding service where necessary.

The DSL will maintain up-to-date local safeguarding referral information.

For activities taking place outside Wiltshire, the relevant local authority safeguarding arrangements will be followed.

30. Review of the Policy
This policy will be reviewed annually and sooner where there is:

• A significant safeguarding incident.
• A change in legislation.
• A change in statutory guidance.
• A change in DBS requirements.
• A change in Prevent guidance.
• A significant change to Rag and Bone Arts activities.
• Learning from an incident, complaint or safeguarding review.

The policy will be reviewed by the DSL and approved by Rag and Bone Arts.

Appendix 1 – Definitions

Safeguarding
Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children includes protecting children from maltreatment, preventing impairment of their health or development, ensuring that they are growing up in circumstances consistent with safe and effective care, and taking action to enable children to have the best outcomes.

Child protection
Child protection is part of safeguarding and refers to activity undertaken to protect specific children who are suffering, or are likely to suffer, significant harm.

Child
For safeguarding and DBS purposes, a child is a person under the age of 18.

Regulated activity with children
Regulated activity is work that a barred person must not undertake.

The definition includes specified activities involving children and is subject to frequency and other legal criteria.

From 1 September 2026, the previous supervision exemption for regulated activity with children has been removed.

Appendix 2 – Key Supporting Guidance

Rag and Bone Arts will have regard to relevant current legislation and statutory guidance, including:

• Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026
• Prevent Duty Guidance: England and Wales 2023
• Disclosure and Barring Service guidance on regulated activity with children
• DBS guidance on eligibility for Enhanced DBS checks with Children's Barred List information
• DBS guidance on Enhanced DBS checks without Children's Barred List information
• DBS Update Service guidance
• Relevant Wiltshire safeguarding procedures and referral arrangements
• Relevant Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) procedures
• Relevant venue, school or partner organisation safeguarding procedures

The organisation will use the most recent versions of statutory guidance when reviewing this policy.

Appendix 3 – Safeguarding Contacts

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Laura Graham May
Director
07850 893283

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)
Charlie Graham-May
07850 879177

Wiltshire LADO Contact Details
Email: LADO@wiltshire.gov.uk (preferred method for referrals and consultations)
Phone: 0300 456 0108 (Option 6)
Address: County Hall, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge BA14 8JN

Emergency: 999

For non-emergency safeguarding concerns, the DSL will use the current safeguarding referral arrangements for the local authority in which the activity is taking place.

Where an activity takes place in Wiltshire, the organisation will use the current Wiltshire Integrated Front Door / children's safeguarding arrangements.

For Prevent concerns, the DSL will follow current local Prevent referral procedures and seek advice where necessary.

Appendix 4 – Safeguarding Checklist for Freelance Artists and Visiting Practitioners

Before engaging an artist or practitioner to work with children, Rag and Bone Arts should consider:

Role

• What will the artist be doing?
• Will they teach, train, instruct, care for or supervise children?
• How many days will they work within a 30-day period?
• Is any work overnight?

DBS

• Is the role regulated activity?
• Is the role eligible for an Enhanced DBS?
• Is a Children's Barred List check legally permitted/required?
• Does the artist already have an appropriate DBS certificate?
• If using the Update Service, has the artist given permission for a status check?
• If a new DBS is required, has it been completed before regulated activity begins?

Safer recruitment

• Identity checked
• References obtained where appropriate
• Relevant experience considered
• Safeguarding expectations discussed
• Qualifications checked where relevant

Safeguarding arrangements

• Artist has received safeguarding information
• Artist knows who the DSL is
• Artist knows how to report a concern
• Professional boundaries explained
• Online communication arrangements explained
• Photography arrangements explained
• Physical contact expectations explained
• Appropriate supervision and staffing arrangements confirmed
• Activity-specific risk assessment completed

Appendix 5 – Responding to a Safeguarding Concern

Concern identified
↓
Listen and reassure the child
↓
Do not investigate or promise confidentiality
↓
Record the concern using the child's own words where possible
↓
Report immediately to the DSL
↓
DSL assesses the concern
↓
DSL seeks advice / makes referral where appropriate
↓
If immediate danger: contact 999
↓
Record actions and decisions securely
↓
Continue to monitor and support the child as appropriate

Policy review date: September 2027