Safeguarding Policy for Hirers

of

Preston Playhouse

1. Introduction

• Everyone has a duty to safeguard children, young people and vulnerable adults.
• Preston Little Theatre Company Ltd (PLT) takes its responsibility very seriously to protect children, young people and vulnerable adults who use our premises and sets the principles we expect from our staff and volunteers.

 

2. Definitions:

• A child or young person is anyone under the age of 18 years.
• A vulnerable adult is someone who by reason of mental or other disability, age, or illness is unable to take care of themselves or unable to protect themselves against significant harm or exploitation.
• An adult for the purpose of this policy is anyone who is 18 or more years of age.

 

3. To whom this policy applies

• This Policy applies to anyone working for or on behalf of PLT whether paid or voluntary and all hirers of our facilities.

 

4. Substantial Access

• This policy defines substantial access as
  • Where an individual is regularly caring for, training or supervising a child, young person or vulnerable adult.
  • Where an individual has sole charge of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

 

5. Promoting a Safe Environment

• In order to promote a safe environment for children, young people and vulnerable adults, PLT wishes to promote a safeguarding culture in its premises and activity areas. We will achieve this by:
  • Providing safe facilities and undertaking regular health and safety assessments
  • Ensuring that employees and volunteers are aware of our safeguarding culture.
  • Creating and maintaining an anti-bullying environment.
  • Requiring all employees and volunteers to be aware of the safeguarding culture.
  • Provide effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support, training and quality assurance.
  • Recruit all staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made.

 

• The company will state on its Booking Forms that it is the Company’s expectation that hirers will follow good practice procedures in relation to Child and Vulnerable Adult Safeguarding.

 

6. Hiring of facilities to groups for use with children, young people or vulnerable adults when group leaders have a regular and substantial access and parents/carers are not present

• PLT will require a hirer to confirm that they :
  • Have public liability insurance
  • Have a suitable safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults policy.
  • Ensure group leaders have the necessary valid DBS checks
  • Do risk assessments for individual activities
  • Have a register for use in emergencies with any details of allergies or medical conditions
  • Ensure group leaders are aware of the whereabouts of first aid boxes
  • Notify PLT of any safeguarding concerns or alerts.
• PLT reserves the right to refuse a booking if the conditions above are not met.

 

7. Making a complaint / raising an alert

• The Safeguarding Officer for Preston Little Theatre Co Ltd is Jane Tudor who can be contacted at safeguarding@prestonplayhouse.co.uk
• Always act whenever abuse is suspected including when your legitimate concern is not acted upon. Whistle blowers are given protection under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998.

 

8. Review

• This policy should be reviewed every four years unless changes in legislation dictate otherwise