Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy

1.1 Policy Statement

 Haringey Culture Collective (HCC) has a duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children and young people who are involved in its activities. All children and young people have the right to protection from abuse, neglect and harm.

HCC will ensure the safety and protection of children and young people, and of those who work with them on behalf of the organisation, through adherence to relevant legislation and statutory guidance, including the Children Act 1989, the Children Act 2004, and Working Together to Safeguard Children (DfE, 2026).

HCC’s work is guided by the following principles:

• The welfare of children and young people is paramount
• All children and young people, regardless of age, disability, gender, gender identity, race, language, religious belief, sexual orientation or socio‑economic background, have the right to be protected from abuse, neglect and harm
• All suspicions, concerns and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to promptly, sensitively and appropriately, in line with this policy and statutory guidance

1.2 Policy Aims

The aim of HCC’s Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy is to promote good practice by:

• Providing children and young people with appropriate protection and a safe environment while they are taking part in HCC activities.
• Supporting staff, freelancers, trustees and volunteers to recognise safeguarding concerns and to respond to them appropriately, confidently and in line with this policy and statutory guidance.

1.3 Definitions

Child
A child is defined as any person under the age of 18, in accordance with the Children Act 1989.

Young Person
The term young person does not have legal status but recognises that individuals aged 16–17 may not identify as children. For the purposes of this policy, young people refers to all children and young people aged 0–17 years.

Staff
The term staff refers to any adult who is employed, commissioned or contracted to work with or on behalf of HCC in a paid or unpaid capacity. This includes employees, freelancers, artists, facilitators, trustees, volunteers, contractors and consultants.

Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO): Kenneth Tharp, Director of Culture and Communications, Haringey Council (acting in an independent safeguarding capacity on behalf of HCC).
The DSO is responsible for receiving safeguarding concerns, making referrals to statutory agencies where appropriate, and overseeing safeguarding practice within HCC.

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Officer: Beki Bateson, HCC Creative Director 

Chief Executive Officer (safeguarding escalation and organisational oversight): Clara Dublanc, Chief Executive Officer

 1.4  Definition of to whom these guidelines apply

These guidelines apply to:

• Any situation involving Young People, whether or not they are accompanied by adults
  All staff, freelancers, volunteers, trustees, contractors and consultants working with or on behalf of HCC
• In the case of contractors and consultants, it is the responsibility of the relevant HCC manager to ensure that all individuals are made aware of, understand, and adhere to this policy
• Where Young People are employed or engaged by HCC in a paid or unpaid capacity, they will continue to be safeguarded in line with this policy

1.5  General Duties of Staff

Protection from abuse is a human right.

• All suspicions, concerns and allegations of abuse must be taken seriously and responded to promptly.
• Staff are not trained to investigate or determine whether abuse has occurred. It is not the role of any member of staff to conduct investigative proceedings.
• All safeguarding concerns must be reported immediately to HCC’s Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO).
• Where appropriate, the DSO will liaise with the Haringey Multi‑Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH), which is the single point of contact for safeguarding concerns relating to children and young people in Haringey.

2.1 Definitions of Abuse

Child protection is a core part of the wider safeguarding agenda and focuses on preventing maltreatment and protecting Young People from harm.

Under the Children Act 1989, local authorities have a legal duty to investigate and take appropriate action where there are reasonable grounds to suspect that a child or young person is suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm.

Abuse may take a number of forms, including:

Neglect
The persistent failure to meet a Young Person’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, which is likely to result in serious impairment of their health or development. This may include a failure to provide adequate food, clothing or shelter, a failure to protect a Young Person from harm, or a failure to ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment.

Physical Abuse
The deliberate causing of physical harm or injury to a Young Person, including hitting, shaking, poisoning, burning, scalding, drowning, suffocating or otherwise causing physical harm.

Sexual Abuse
Involving a Young Person in sexual activities, whether or not they are aware of what is happening. This includes forcing or encouraging a Young Person to take part in sexual activities, to witness sexual activity, or to engage with or view sexual images or pornography.

Emotional Abuse
The persistent emotional maltreatment of a Young Person such that it causes severe and adverse effects on their emotional development. This may include persistent criticism, intimidation, threats, humiliation, bullying, or the denial of love, warmth and affection.

2.2 Recognition of indicators of Abuse

There are several circumstances under which HCC may have concerns that a Young Person has been, or is, being abused:

• Disclosure from a Young Person – they may tell a member of staff about abuse they are experiencing or have experienced in the past
• Disclosure from a third party – a parent, carer, relative, neighbour or another Young Person may share concerns about a Young Person’s welfare
• Observation – staff may become concerned through observing one or more indicators of abuse or neglect, including injuries for which there is no clear explanation or changes in behaviour, presentation or emotional wellbeing
• Colleague conduct – concerns may arise about the behaviour or conduct of a colleague when working with Young People.

Staff should remain alert to possible indicators of abuse and consider whether a safeguarding concern may be present. The presence of an indicator does not in itself confirm that abuse has occurred, but it:

• Must be treated as a potential indicator of the risk of significant harm
• Justifies timely discussion with HCC’s Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO)
• May require consultation with, or referral to, the Haringey Multi‑Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH), which is the appropriate safeguarding contact point for children and young people in Haringey.

The absence of such indicators does not mean that abuse or neglect has not occurred. A list of possible indicators of abuse and neglect is set out in Appendix 1.

3.1 How disclosure can take place

Disclosure can occur in a variety of ways and may be particularly common in arts and cultural settings, where creative activity can enable emotions and experiences to surface. Young People may be more likely to disclose concerns to individuals they perceive as temporary or informal, such as artists or workshop facilitators, rather than to established members of staff.

Disclosure may be presented as a request for secrecy, as a Young Person may be anxious about the consequences of sharing their experiences. Disclosure may take place:

• Verbally – where a Young Person directly tells a member of staff about abuse they are experiencing or have experienced.
• Non‑verbally – through creative expression such as writing, visual work, music or song lyrics, or through behaviours that may be inappropriate to the Young Person’s age or stage of development, including sexually explicit or sexually aware behaviour beyond what would be expected.

4.1 Code of Behaviour

Abuse can occur in many contexts, including within homes, schools, community and youth settings. Some individuals may seek paid or voluntary roles that provide access to Young People in order to cause harm.

Staff, including youth workers, artists, tutors, teachers, facilitators, volunteers and other practitioners, may have regular contact with Young People and play an important role in identifying safeguarding concerns and responding appropriately when worries arise.

All concerns relating to poor practice, boundary issues or potential abuse must be reported in line with the procedures set out in this policy.

Staff are expected to behave in a professional and appropriate manner at all times. Adhering to clear standards of behaviour helps to create a positive and safe culture for Young People and also protects staff from misunderstandings or false allegations.

4.2 What Good Practice means

Good safeguarding practice includes, but is not limited to:

• Treating all Young People fairly, with respect and dignity at all times
• Placing the welfare and wellbeing of Young People above organisational, artistic or performance goals
• Maintaining appropriate professional boundaries with Young People, recognising that intimate or personal relationships with Young People are not acceptable
• Building balanced, supportive relationships with Young People based on trust, openness and mutual respect, which empower them to share concerns or participate in decision‑making where appropriate
• Ensuring that any physical or manual support is necessary, proportionate, provided openly, and carried out with the knowledge and agreement of the Young Person
• Keeping skills, qualifications and insurance up to date where required for arts and cultural practice involving Young People
• Ensuring that where supervision is required in changing or dressing areas, staff work in pairs and appropriate safeguards are in place
• Ensuring that, during residential activities, staff do not enter Young People’s rooms or invite Young People into their own rooms, except in an emergency and in line with agreed procedures
• Acting as a positive role model at all times, including refraining from smoking, drinking alcohol or using substances in the company of Young People
• Providing positive, constructive feedback and avoiding negative, humiliating or inappropriate criticism
• Recognising the developmental needs, abilities and capacity of Young People, including avoiding excessive rehearsals or pressure to participate beyond what is appropriate or agreed
• Keeping a written record of any accidents or injuries, including details of any first aid or treatment provided, in line with HCC procedures

4.3 Safeguarding across sites, events and partner activity

HCC delivers activity across its own and partner venues, schools, parks, streets, temporary sites and digital spaces. Before each activity, the HCC lead and the venue or delivery partner will agree who is responsible for supervision, receiving concerns on site, contacting HCC’s Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO), and making any statutory referral. These arrangements will be recorded in the event plan or partnership agreement and explained to staff, freelancers, artists and volunteers.

The event briefing will cover the reporting route, appropriate supervision and boundaries, safe arrival and departure, and how to respond to an emergency or a person who becomes separated from their group. A partner’s own safeguarding procedures may add safeguards, but concerns arising in HCC activity must also be passed promptly to the HCC DSO. If the DSO or deputy cannot be reached and there is an immediate risk, staff must contact the relevant statutory service directly; call 999 where someone is in immediate danger.

For activity in schools, HCC and the school’s designated safeguarding lead will agree their respective supervision and reporting arrangements in advance. For activity outside Haringey, the DSO will identify the relevant local authority children’s safeguarding contact for that location.

Written consent must be obtained before taking or using photographs, video recordings or other images of Young People. Consent should be informed and specific, and where images are likely to be widely used or prominently featured, clear information about how they will be used must be provided in advance. Young People’s full names or other identifying personal information must not be published alongside images shared online or in the public domain.

5.1 Photographing Young People

Where HCC commissions a professional photographer or invites members of the press to an event involving Young People, safeguarding expectations must be clearly communicated in advance.

HCC will:

• Provide a clear brief outlining what is and is not considered appropriate content
• Ensure photographers or media representatives display appropriate identification at all times while on site
• Inform Young People and parents or carers in advance that photography or filming will take place and obtain written consent for both the activity and any subsequent publication
• Not permit photographers or media representatives to have unsupervised access to Young People or to conduct one‑to‑one photo sessions during events
• Not approve photo or filming sessions outside organised HCC activities or within a Young Person’s home

5.2 Broadcasting, Internet and digital communications

Communication between Young People and staff, by any means, must take place within clear and explicit professional boundaries. Staff must not share personal contact details with Young People unless this has been agreed with HCC management and parents or carers where appropriate. This includes communication via mobile phones, text messages, email, social media platforms, video‑conferencing tools, messaging apps and online learning or creative platforms. Staff must not request, share or respond to personal information from a Young Person beyond what is appropriate to their professional role, and all communication should be transparent and open to appropriate oversight.

Online or digital communication with Young People that falls outside agreed protocols may lead to disciplinary action and, where relevant, further investigation. Broadcasting and social media can be legitimate creative and educational tools. HCC will take steps to support Young People to understand how to stay safe online and to minimise potential risks associated with digital content.

When deciding whether to use images or recordings of Young People, HCC will consider:
• Whether the material promotes illegal, unsafe or inappropriate activities.
• Whether the material could be misunderstood or taken out of context.
• Whether the content could be discriminatory or harmful to an individual or group.
• Whether the use of the image could place any Young Person at risk.
• Whether appropriate consent has been obtained from parents or carers of Young People aged 16 and under.
• Whether Young People themselves have given consent for the material to be used in the public domain.

It is not the responsibility of anyone working for HCC, in a paid or unpaid capacity, to determine whether abuse has taken place. However, all staff have a responsibility to act on any safeguarding concerns by reporting them in line with this policy.

HCC will ensure that any individual who raises a safeguarding concern in good faith is supported and protected. Where allegations are made against a member of staff, volunteer or freelancer, there may be three parallel strands of investigation:

• A criminal investigation
• A child protection investigation
• A disciplinary or misconduct investigation

The outcome of any police or child protection investigation may inform internal disciplinary proceedings but does not determine them.

6.1 Concerns about practice

Where a concern relates to poor practice or conduct rather than suspected abuse, the matter will be addressed through HCC’s internal procedures. If the concern relates to the practice of a staff member, it will be managed by the Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) as a potential misconduct issue. If the concern relates to the practice of the DSO, or where concerns remain unresolved, the matter must be reported directly to the CEO, who will determine the appropriate course of action.

6.2 Concerns about suspected abuse

Any suspicion or allegation that a Young Person has been abused must be reported immediately to HCC’s Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO). If the DSO (or Deputy) cannot be contacted, concerns must be reported to HCC’s CEO, who will assume safeguarding responsibility until appropriate action is taken. Where a concern relates to a member of HCC staff or the DSO, it must be reported directly to the CEO.

HCC’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will:

• Take a supportive and consultative role in relation to safeguarding matters, including ensuring appropriate de‑briefing and support is available for staff following a safeguarding referral, where necessary.
• Ensure that safeguarding procedures are followed in cases where allegations are made against a member of staff, volunteer or freelancer.
• Ensure that the Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy is disseminated to all staff, freelancers, trustees and volunteers, and that it is accessible and understood.
• Provide organisational oversight for safeguarding and ensure that appropriate action is taken where concerns or allegations arise, including compliance with statutory guidance and this policy.

7.1 Safeguarding Training

HCC will ensure that all staff, freelancers, trustees and volunteers receive safeguarding training or briefing appropriate to their role and level of contact with Young People. The Designated Safeguarding Officer and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Officer will receive enhanced safeguarding training to support their responsibilities. Other staff, freelancers and volunteers will receive safeguarding awareness training or a safeguarding briefing appropriate to the nature of their work with Young People.

7.2 Policy Review

This Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy will be reviewed annually, and sooner where there are changes to legislation, statutory guidance, or learning arising from safeguarding practice.

8.1 Indicators of Abuse and Neglect

The indicators listed below are examples only and are not exhaustive. The presence of one or more indicators does not confirm that abuse has occurred. However, they may indicate that a Young Person is experiencing harm or is at risk of harm and should be discussed with HCC’s Designated Safeguarding Officer. 

Neglect

• Inadequate or inappropriate clothing
• Appearing underweight, unwell or consistently hungry
• Failure to thrive physically; appearing tired or listless
• Poor hygiene or persistently dirty appearance
• Frequent or unexplained absences from school or activities
• Lack of appropriate supervision

Physical Abuse

• Injuries such as bruises, bite marks, burns or fractures where explanations are inconsistent or implausible
• Injuries in unusual locations or not typical of everyday childhood accidents
• A high frequency of injuries
• Delay in seeking medical treatment or apparent lack of concern from parents or carers

Sexual Abuse

• Sexual knowledge or behaviour that is inappropriate for the Young Person’s age or stage of development
• Sexualised or risky behaviour that causes concern

Emotional Abuse

• Developmental delay
• Attachment difficulties with parents, carers or others
• Withdrawal, anxiety or low self‑esteem

Indirect Indicators of Abuse or Neglect

• Sudden or significant changes in behaviour or presentation
• Withdrawal, anxiety or low self‑esteem
• Eating disorders or disturbed eating patterns
• Aggressive or challenging behaviour towards others
• Sudden or unexplained absences
• Drug or alcohol misuse
• Running away or going missing

Parental or Carer‑Related Factors

• Substance misuse, including drugs or alcohol
• Physical or mental health difficulties, or learning disabilities
• Domestic abuse or violence within the household

To raise a safeguarding concern with HCC 
Please contact hello@haringeycollective.com with SAFEGUARDING CONCERN as the subject line and this will be sent to the Designated Safeguarding Officer as a matter of urgency. 

Haringey Council – Children’s Safeguarding

Haringey Multi‑Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)
Telephone: 020 8489 4470
Out‑of‑hours Emergency Duty Team: 020 8489 0000

Professional safeguarding advice line:
Telephone: 020 8489 4533

Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)
(Allegations against staff, freelancers or volunteers)
Telephone: 020 8489 2968

National Support Services

NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000

Childline (24‑hour helpline for children and young people): 0800 1111