Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults Policy

Last reviewed: September 2025
Next review due: September 2026

1. Purpose

Film Crew 4U CIC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and recognises its responsibility to take all reasonable steps to protect them from harm.

This policy sets out how Film Crew 4U CIC meets its safeguarding responsibilities when delivering filmmaking projects, creative workshops, training, and community-based activities.

For the purposes of this policy:

• A child or young person is anyone under the age of 18

• A vulnerable adult is someone aged 18 or over who may be unable to protect themselves from harm, abuse, or exploitation due to factors such as disability, mental health needs, addiction, illness, or life circumstances

2. Legal Framework

This policy is informed by and complies with the following legislation and statutory guidance:

• Children Act 1989

• Children Act 2004

• Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023)

• Care Act 2014

• The Domestic Abuse Act 2021

3. Scope of the Policy

This policy applies to:

• All staff (paid or unpaid)

• Volunteers and trustees

• Freelancers, contractors, and associates

• Participants and service users

• Visitors involved in Film Crew 4U CIC activities

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

4. Our Commitment

Film Crew 4U CIC is committed to:

• Providing a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment

• Acting in the best interests of children, young people, and vulnerable adults at all times

• Listening to individuals and taking their views seriously

• Promoting dignity, choice, and empowerment

• Responding promptly and appropriately to safeguarding concerns

5. Safeguarding Leadership and Accountability

Safeguarding Responsibility

Film Crew 4U CIC does not currently have a separate Designated Safeguarding Lead. Safeguarding responsibility sits with the Managing Director.

Safeguarding Lead:
Billy Stevenson
Managing Director – Film Crew 4U CIC
Email: billy@filmcrew4u.co.uk
Phone: 07751 690572

The Safeguarding Lead is responsible for:

• Receiving and responding to safeguarding concerns

• Making referrals to statutory services when required

• Liaising with Portsmouth City Council safeguarding partners

• Ensuring safeguarding procedures are followed

• Ensuring staff and volunteers understand their responsibilities

6. Who We Work With

Film Crew 4U CIC works with:

• Young people aged 13–17

• Vulnerable adults, including individuals in recovery from addiction

• SEND groups and individuals with additional needs

• Older adults

Our work includes collaborative filmmaking, creative workshops, storytelling, and skills-based projects.

7. Safer Recruitment and DBS Checks

Film Crew 4U CIC follows safer recruitment practices, including:

• DBS checks for all staff and volunteers working with children or vulnerable adults

• Enhanced DBS checks where required by role or setting

• Verification of identity, experience, and suitability

• Ongoing consideration of safeguarding suitability

No individual will work unsupervised with children or vulnerable adults without appropriate checks.

8. Training and Support

• The Managing Director has undertaken safeguarding training

• Safeguarding awareness is covered during induction

• Safeguarding training for staff and volunteers is provided on an ad hoc basis as required

• Staff and volunteers are encouraged to raise concerns and seek advice

9. Filming, Photography, and Digital Safeguarding

Film Crew 4U CIC recognises that safeguarding extends to filming, photography, and online activity.

We commit to:

• Obtaining appropriate consent for filming and photography

• Clearly explaining how recorded content may be used

• Ensuring that some content may be shared online (including websites, YouTube, and social media), while other content remains private

• Storing recorded material securely and responsibly

• Avoiding any content that could place participants at risk

Recorded content will never be used in a way that exploits, endangers, or misrepresents children, young people, or vulnerable adults.

10. Code of Conduct and Professional Boundaries

All staff, volunteers, and associates must:

• Maintain professional boundaries at all times

• Treat participants with dignity and respect

• Avoid being alone with a child or vulnerable adult wherever possible

• Avoid inappropriate physical contact

• Not communicate privately with participants outside agreed professional channels

• Not use personal devices to film or photograph participants unless authorised

11. Reporting Safeguarding Concerns

Any safeguarding concern relating to a child, young person, or vulnerable adult must be reported immediately to the Safeguarding Lead.

Concerns may include:

• Suspected abuse or neglect

• A disclosure by a participant

• Behaviour by an adult that causes concern

• Signs of exploitation, coercion, or self-harm

The Safeguarding Lead will:

• Assess the concern

• Seek advice where appropriate

• Make referrals to Portsmouth City Council Children’s Social Care, Adult Social Care, or the Police as required

If a person is in immediate danger, emergency services must be contacted by calling 999.

12. Allegations Against Staff or Volunteers

Any allegation or concern regarding a member of staff, volunteer, or contractor will be taken seriously and responded to promptly.

A clear distinction will be made between:

• Allegations

• Concerns about practice

• Complaints

Appropriate action will be taken in line with local safeguarding procedures.

13. Review and Monitoring

This policy will be:

• Monitored regularly by the Managing Director

• Reviewed annually or sooner if legislation or guidance changes