Safeguarding Policy and Procedure
Bedford Players Trust
1. Introduction – Commitment to Safeguarding
The Bedford Players Trust (BPT) acknowledges its legal and ethical responsibility to protect all children and adults at risk engaged in our activities. To guarantee the safety and well-being of these individuals, it is essential that all staff, artists, and volunteers comprehend and comply with the safeguarding guidelines outlined in this policy. Our goal is to foster safe working practices while nurturing a stimulating and creative environment for everyone involved.
2. Purpose of the Policy
● To ensure the safety of children, young people, and adults at risk participating in our programs and events.
● To provide clear guidance on identifying, reporting, and responding to safeguarding concerns.
● To promote a culture of safeguarding in which everyone involved with BPT takes responsibility for the welfare of those in our care.
● To protect staff and volunteers by setting clear expectations and providing a framework for safe practice.
● To offer staff and volunteers the fundamental principles that shape our commitment to safeguarding.
3. Legal Framework
This policy is based on legislation, policy, and guidance including but not limited to:
● Children Act 1989 and 2004
● Working Together to Safeguard Children (2024)
● NSPCC Safeguarding Standards and Guidance for Organisations (2024)
● The Care Act 2014
● The Equality Act 2010
● SEND Code of Practice (2015)
● Charity Commission safeguarding guidance
● Bedford Borough Safeguarding Children Partnership
4. Scope
This policy applies to:
● All employees, trustees, volunteers, contractors, freelance artists and facilitators working on behalf of the BPT.
5. Definitions
Child: Anyone under the age of 18.
Young adult: Anyone aged 18–25, particularly where they have SEND and remain under the care of local authority or educational support. Note: this is an organisational definition reflecting BPT’s discretionary duty of care and is not a statutory legal category.
Safeguarding: Protecting children and adults at risk from abuse or neglect and ensuring their health and development is not impaired.
Adult at risk: An adult aged 18 or over who has needs for care and support, and who is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect, and as a result of those needs is unable to protect themselves against the abuse or neglect (Care Act 2014).
6. Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Name: Deborah Maggs
Email: deborahm@theplacebedford.org.uk
Phone: 07778424408
The DSL is responsible for:
● Managing safeguarding concerns
● Ensuring training is delivered
● Liaising with external agencies
● Keeping accurate records
6 (B). Deputy Safeguarding Leads (To be contacted if Designated SL is unavailable)
Name: Emily Alleyne
Email: ea@theplacebedford.org.uk
Phone: 07720980537
Name: Lissy Malt
Email: lm@theplacebedford.org.uk
Phone: 07966932757
7. Safer Recruitment
We follow safer recruitment practices to ensure that all staff:
● Undergo an enhanced DBS check
● Provide references
● Complete induction training including safeguarding awareness
● Understand and adhere to this policy
8. Training
All staff working with children, young people and adults at risk will:
● Undertake annual safeguarding training
● Complete specific training on working with SEND children and young people
● Attend pre-event safeguarding briefings
9. Code of Conduct
All team trustees and staff will:
● Treat all participants with respect and dignity
● Maintain professional boundaries
● Never be alone in a private space with a participant unless necessary
● Never use demeaning, offensive, or suggestive language
● Not use personal mobile devices or phones to photograph or film participants at any time
● Not initiate or engage in one-to-one online communication with any child or young person participant via personal social media, messaging apps, or email
● Only make physical contact with participants where it is necessary, appropriate to the activity, and done with consent — for example, directing movement in a performance context
● Not add child or young person participants as personal contacts on social media platforms
10. Responding to Concerns or Disclosures
If a child or young person discloses:
● Listen carefully, do not ask leading questions
● Reassure them they were right to speak
● Do not promise confidentiality; explain you will need to tell someone to help keep them safe
● Record the disclosure immediately using the Safeguarding Incident Form
● Report immediately to the DSL
● Report to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) – Bedford Borough: 01234 276693 or via secure email: Lado@bedford.gov.uk
10B. Responding to Concerns about Adults at Risk
If a member of staff, volunteer, or participant has a concern about an adult at risk:
● Follow the same disclosure principles as for children — listen, do not lead, do not promise confidentiality
● Record the concern immediately and report to the DSL
● Where relevant, respect the individual’s capacity and wishes, while recognising that safeguarding responsibilities may override consent to refer
● The DSL will refer to Bedford Borough Adult Social Care if appropriate: 01234 267 422
11. Photography and Media
● Consent will be obtained for the photography or filming of each participant
● Consent forms will be retained securely by the DSL and referenced before any image is used
● Those without consent will be made known to any staff working with children
● Images and recordings will only be used for the purposes stated at the time of consent (e.g. marketing, documentation) and will not be shared beyond those purposes
● No images of children or young people will be posted on social media without explicit written consent from a parent or guardian
12. Record Keeping
● All safeguarding concerns will be recorded using our confidential safeguarding reporting system.
● Access is limited to the DSL and Deputy DSL
● Records will be retained in accordance with data protection laws.
13. Whistleblowing
All team members are encouraged to report concerns about the conduct of staff, volunteers, or others involved in the organisation. Concerns should be directed to the DSL or, if appropriate (when it cannot be referred to the DSL), an external agency (e.g., NSPCC or local authority). BPT’s Whistleblowing Policy sets out the full procedure for raising concerns. Copies are available from the DSL or the trustee board.
13B. Online Safety
BPT recognises that online environments can present safeguarding risks. All staff and volunteers will:
● Only communicate with child or young person participants via official BPT channels (e.g. BPT email), never through personal accounts
● Not accept friend or follow requests from current child participants on personal social media accounts
● Report any concerns about online conduct — including inappropriate contact or concerning content — to the DSL immediately
● Ensure any online or digital delivery of BPT programmes follows the same safeguarding principles as in-person delivery
14. Policy Review
This policy will be reviewed annually or:
● After a safeguarding incident
● In response to changes in legislation
● Following advice from statutory bodies
Next review date: March 2027
Signed: 
Deborah Maggs
Director / Designated Safeguarding Lead
March 2026