Safeguarding and Protection Policy Statement

Pattern and Push Community Interest Company (CIC) is a talent development platform for rappers and singers promoting positive lyrics. We recognise the transformative power of music to effect positive change, offering real-world opportunities, authentic experiences, community, and creative expression. Our utmost priority is the safety and well-being of all children, young people, young adults, staff, volunteers and participants engaged in our programs and activities. Across diverse settings including events, schools, youth centres, young offender institutions, and prisons, we are committed to safeguarding all individuals from harm and abuse, fostering a secure and supportive environment.

Scope

This policy applies to all staff associated with Pattern and Push CIC including paid staff, volunteers, contractors, and partners, regardless of their level of contact with children and young adults. This policy aims to keep everyone safe, including young people and adults at risk. This policy applies across all the varied settings in which we work such as events, schools, youth centres, young offender institutes and prisons, and staff should be aware of any specific safeguarding considerations in those different situations. 

Policy Principles

Pattern and Push CIC upholds the fundamental rights of every child, young person, young adult, staff member, volunteer, and participant to safety, respect, and protection from harm. Our commitment to safeguarding is grounded in the following principles:

  • Equality and Anti-Discriminatory Practice: We prioritise the safety of all individuals, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. We acknowledge and address additional vulnerabilities some individuals may face due to discrimination, past experiences, or specific needs.

  • Listening and Respecting Everyone: We pledge to listen to and respect the voices and rights of children, young people, young adults, staff, and volunteers.

  • Designated Safeguarding Leads: We have appointed a nominated child protection lead and an additional board member responsible for safeguarding oversight.

  • Comprehensive Procedures: Our detailed safeguarding and protection procedures provide clear guidance on identifying, reporting, and responding to concerns.

  • Staff Training: All staff and volunteers undergo comprehensive safeguarding training to ensure understanding and adherence to our procedures.

  • Effective Communication: We ensure children, young people, young adults, staff, volunteers, and families are informed of our safeguarding policies and know how to raise concerns.

  • Promoting a Safeguarding Culture: We cultivate an environment where safeguarding is a collective responsibility, encouraging everyone to report concerns without hesitation.

Safeguarding in Specific Settings

Recognising the unique safeguarding needs across settings, we tailor our approach by:

  • Events: Implementing robust risk assessments, ensuring staff and volunteers understand procedures, and maintaining clear channels for reporting concerns.

  • Schools and Youth Centres: Collaborating with educational staff, conducting joint risk assessments, and complying with local safeguarding policies.

  • Young Offender Institutions and Prisons: Adhering to institution-specific regulations, providing specialised training, and establishing clear protocols for managing and reporting concerns.

  • Online workshops and Social Media: Providing social media guidelines and carefully monitoring online communications and group meeting interactions to minimise risk of online bullying and grooming.

Procedure for Reporting Concerns, Incidents, and Allegations

  • Initial Response: Report concerns promptly to the safeguarding lead or deputy, covering child, young person, or young adult safety or well-being, including staff, volunteers, or participants' conduct.

  • Channels: Reports via in-person, phone, or email to safeguarding lead or deputy.

  • Documentation: Record incidents comprehensively in the safeguarding log, detailing date, time, individuals involved, and nature of concern or incident.

  • Follow-Up: Evaluate reports, decide on action to safeguard involved, possibly engaging external services like social services or police.

  • Confidentiality: Respect privacy by securely handling reports and records.

  • Review: Assess and manage reports to spot trends and correct them.

Safeguarding Lead

Lloyd Samuels

Company Director

Safeguarding Deputy

Jamie Wilkins,

Company Director

Recruitment

Our recruitment processes include:

  • Comprehensive Checks: Ensuring all necessary background checks are completed, including DBS checks at the highest possible level.

  • Risk Management: Assessing and managing risks to determine the suitability of team members for their roles.

  • Disclosure Requirements: Advising all team members to disclose any factors that may affect their suitability for working with children and young adults, in line with legal requirements and best practice.


Safeguarding for Staff and Volunteers

  • Safe Environment: Dedication to staff/volunteers' protection from harm or abuse.

  • Support and Supervision: Regular support and supervision, and awareness of safeguarding practices.

  • Reporting Ease: Clear steps for staff/volunteers reporting safeguarding issues, ensuring well-being and safety.

Partnership Collaboration

Pattern and Push CIC collaborates with partners to deliver events and projects, ensuring robust safeguards by:

  • Data Sharing Protocols: Set rules for document exchanges, highlighting our policies and leads.

  • Risk Assessments: Conduct to identify key figures, such as safeguarding officers, overseeing safety at events.

Before any joint activities or events, we establish a partnership agreement outlining specific safeguarding roles and duties. This proactive approach ensures that all parties understand their responsibilities in safeguarding children, young people, young adults, staff, volunteers, and participants.

Photography and Video Content
We may photograph or video activities in some settings. Written consent will be obtained from parents or carers of young people and from vulnerable adults themselves before any photographs or videos are taken. Images and videos will only be used for the purposes for which consent was given and will be stored securely in accordance with data protection laws.

Legal Framework
This policy has been drawn up on the basis of law and guidance that seeks to protect children and vulnerable adults in the UK. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • NSPCC safeguarding and child protection standards for the community sector

  • Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006

  • Children Act 2004

  • Data Protection Act 2018

  • General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR)

This policy is implemented in conjunction with our Operation Procedures for specific settings, HR Policy, Privacy Policy and IDEA Statement.

Dissemination of Safeguarding Policy
We are committed to ensuring that our safeguarding policy is effectively communicated to all stakeholders. The dissemination strategy includes:

  • Induction Programs: All new staff and volunteers will receive comprehensive training on the safeguarding policy during their induction, in accordance with NSPCC (2019) safeguarding and child protection standards for the voluntary and community sector.

  • Regular Updates: Periodic updates and refresher training sessions to keep everyone informed of any changes or developments in the safeguarding policy.

  • Communication Channels: Utilising multiple communication channels such as meetings, emails, newsletters, and the organisation's website to disseminate the policy.

  • Visibility: Displaying safeguarding posters and information in prominent locations at all Pattern and Push CIC sites and event venues.

Enquiries: safeguarding@patternandpush.com
Last updated: 27th June 2024