Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy Statement for The Academy
The South Coast Academy Of Performing Arts (SCAPA) is fully committed to safeguarding the welfare of all children and vulnerable adults participating in SCAPA productions and sessions through commitment to good practice that protects them from harm, abuse and/or exploitation.
All engaged personnel and staff, including volunteers will work together to encourage the development of our ethos which embraces difference and diversity and respects the rights of all children, young people and adults.
1. Introduction
This safeguarding policy is designed to ensure the safety and well-being of children participating in our theatre group. We are committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment where children can explore their creative talents. This policy outlines our procedures, responsibilities, and expectations for all staff, volunteers, and participants.
2. Definitions
- Child: Any individual under the age of 18 years.
- Staff: Paid employees, volunteers, and contractors working with children.
- Parent/Guardian: Legal guardians or parents of child participants.
- Theatre Group: SCAPA or South Coast Academy of Performing Arts .
3. Responsibilities
3.1. SCAPA
- Appoint a designated Safeguarding Officer responsible for implementing and monitoring this policy.
- Conduct regular risk assessments of our premises and activities.
- Provide training to staff and volunteers on child safeguarding.
- Create an environment where children feel comfortable reporting concerns.
3.2. Staff and Volunteers
- Undergo appropriate background checks and screenings as required by law.
- Report any concerns or incidents involving child safety to the Safeguarding Officer.
- Attend safeguarding training to recognise signs of abuse or neglect.
- Treat all children with respect, maintaining appropriate boundaries.
3.3. Parents/Guardians
- Provide accurate emergency contact and medical information for their child.
- Communicate with the theatre group regarding any specific needs or concerns related to their child.
- Report any concerns they may have about the safety and well-being of their child.
4. Procedures
4.1. Recruitment and Screening
- All staff and volunteers must undergo background checks before working with children.
- Reference checks and interviews should be conducted to assess suitability.
4.2. Training
- All staff and volunteers must attend child safeguarding training.
- Training should be updated regularly to ensure awareness of current issues.
4.3. Reporting and Responding to Concerns
- Any concerns or incidents involving child safety must be reported to the Safeguarding Officer immediately.
- The Safeguarding Officer will investigate the concerns and take appropriate action.
4.4. Supervision
- Children should always be supervised by at least two adults to ensure their safety.
- Ensure that appropriate ratios of adults to children are maintained.
4.5. Communication
- Clearly communicate this safeguarding policy to all staff, volunteers, and parents/guardians.
- Create channels for open communication with parents and children.
5. Physical and Online Safety
- Implement security measures for physical spaces to prevent unauthorised access.
- Monitor online interactions and use of technology to protect children from online risks.
6. Review
This policy will be reviewed annually or as needed to ensure its effectiveness and compliance with relevant laws and regulations. SCAPA is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for children in our care. We take safeguarding seriously and will act promptly to address any concerns or incidents to protect the well-being of children.
This policy has been written in accordance with UK guidelines and is reviewed annually by the Safe Guarding Officer and Creative Director.
You can contact us via email or by phone, the details of which are at the bottom of this webpage.
Safeguarding Officer
Jo Barrington
General Data Protection Regulation Policy Statement
The South Coast Academy of Performing Arts (SCAPA) is fully committed to full compliance with the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation. SCAPA will therefore follow procedures which aim to ensure that all employees, contractors, consultants, partners or agents of SCAPA who have access to any personal data held by or on behalf of SCAPA are fully aware of and abide by their duties under the General Data Protection Regulation.
1. Introduction
This Data Protection Policy outlines the principles and procedures for handling personal data at SCAPA. We are committed to protecting the privacy and data rights of our students, staff, and any individuals whose personal information we process.
2. Definitions
- Personal Data: Any information that can directly or indirectly identify an individual.
- Data Controller: RUPERT Barrington on behalf of SCAPA.
- Data Processor: Any third party, if applicable, processing personal data on our behalf.
3. Principles
3.1. Lawfulness, Fairness, and Transparency
- We will process personal data in a lawful and transparent manner, ensuring that individuals are aware of how their data is used.
3.2. Purpose Limitation
- We will only collect and process personal data for specific, legitimate purposes and inform individuals of these purposes.
3.3. Data Minimisation
- We will collect and store only the minimum amount of personal data necessary for the intended purpose.
3.4. Accuracy
- We will take reasonable steps to ensure that personal data is accurate and kept up to date.
3.5. Storage Limitation
- Personal data will be retained only for as long as necessary for the purposes for which it was collected.
3.6. Integrity and Confidentiality
- We will implement appropriate security measures to protect personal data from unauthorised access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.
3.7. Accountability
- We will maintain records of data processing activities and regularly review and assess our data protection practices.
4. Data Subjects' Rights
- Individuals have the right to access, rectify, erase, or restrict the processing of their personal data. Requests should be submitted to our Data Protection Officer.
5. Data Collection and Processing
- Personal data will be collected and processed for purposes such as student enrolment, communication, and administrative tasks.
- We will obtain explicit consent for data processing where required.
- We will not share personal data with third parties without prior consent or unless required by law.
- We will not transfer personal data outside the European Economic Area (EEA) without ensuring adequate data protection measures.
6. Data Security
- We will implement technical and organizational measures to protect personal data from unauthorized access or disclosure.
- Regular security assessments and risk management will be conducted.
7. Data Breach Notification
- In the event of a data breach, we will notify the appropriate regulatory authorities and individuals affected in accordance with applicable laws.
8. Training and Awareness
- Staff and personnel will receive training on data protection and privacy best practices.
- We will regularly review and update this policy and ensure all staff are aware of their responsibilities.
9. Compliance
- SCAPA will comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other applicable data protection laws and regulations.
10. Review
This policy will be reviewed annually or as necessary to ensure its compliance with data protection laws and its effectiveness.
SCAPA is committed to protecting the personal data and privacy of all individuals associated with our institution. This policy serves as a framework for responsible and secure data handling.
Data Protection Officer
Rupert Barrington