POW Safeguarding Policy 

At Performers of Wivenhoe (POW), the safety and well-being of the children and young people in our care are our highest priorities. This safeguarding policy has been established to protect all children and young people who participate in our activities, as well as the adults who support them, from harm. It outlines the fundamental principles and commitments that guide our approach to child protection, ensuring a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for everyone involved. 

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This policy applies to all individuals working on behalf of POW, including directors, paid staff, volunteers, sessional workers, and students. It reflects our unwavering dedication to upholding the highest standards of safeguarding, fostering trust, and promoting the welfare of every child and young person entrusted to our care. 

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Legal Framework 

This policy has been developed in alignment with the legislation, policies, and guidance designed to safeguard children in England. A summary of the key legislation and guidance can be accessed at www.nspcc.org.uk/childprotection.

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Supporting Documents 

This policy should be read in conjunction with the following organisational policies, procedures, and related documents:

• Role description for the designated safeguarding officer 

• Procedures for handling disclosures and concerns about a child or young person

• Guidelines for managing allegations against staff and volunteers

• Protocols for recording concerns and sharing information 

• Policies on the retention and storage of child protection records

• Code of conduct for staff and volunteers 

• Behaviour codes for children and young people 

• Guidance on photography and the sharing of images Safer recruitment practices

• Online safety protocols

• Anti-bullying policies 

• Procedures for managing complaints

• Health and safety guidelines

• Induction, training, supervision, and support frameworks

• Adult-to-child supervision ratios 

Our Commitment 

At Performers of Wivenhoe (POW), we firmly believe that: 

Children and young people should never experience abuse of any kind. 

We have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people, to keep them safe, and to practise in a way that protects them. 

This commitment is central to our mission, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for every child and young person involved in our activities.

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We recognise that: 

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• The welfare of children is paramount in all the work we do and in all the decisions we take. 

• Working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers, and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare. 

• All children, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation, have an equal right to protection from all types of harm or abuse. 

• Some children are additionally vulnerable due to the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs, or other factors, and extra safeguards may be needed to keep them safe from abuse. 

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We will seek to keep children and young people safe by:

• Valuing, listening to, and respecting them. 

• Appointing a nominated child protection lead for children and young people. 

• Adopting child protection and safeguarding best practices through our policies, procedures, and code of conduct for staff and volunteers.

• Developing and implementing an effective online safety policy and related procedures. 

• Providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support, training, and quality assurance measures, ensuring all staff and volunteers understand and follow our policies, procedures, and behaviour codes confidently and competently.

• Recruiting and selecting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are completed. 

• Recording, storing, and using information professionally and securely, in line with data protection legislation and guidance.

• Sharing information about safeguarding and good practice with children and their families. 

• Ensuring that children, young people, and their families know where to go for help if they have a concern. 

• Using our safeguarding and child protection procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know, involving children, young people, parents, families, and carers appropriately.

• Using our procedures to manage any allegations against staff and volunteers appropriately. 

• Creating and maintaining an anti-bullying environment, with a policy and procedure to address any bullying effectively.

• Ensuring effective complaints measures are in place. 

• Providing a safe physical environment for children, young people, staff, and volunteers by applying health and safety measures in accordance with the law and regulatory guidance. 

• Building a safeguarding culture where staff, volunteers, children, young people, and their families treat each other with respect and feel comfortable sharing concerns.

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Contact details 

Nominated child protection lead:

Caroline Lewis Phone: 07786322849

Email: carriewalsom@hotmail.co.uk 

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NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000 

We are committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually. 

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This policy was last reviewed on: 19/03/2025