INVICTA YOUTH THEATRE
Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy
Version Effective: September 2025
Review Cycle: Annually (or sooner if statutory guidance changes)
Next Review Due: September 2026
Review Cycle: Annually (or sooner if statutory guidance changes)
Next Review Due: September 2026
1. Policy Statement
Invicta Youth Theatre is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people engaged in our activities. We recognise our responsibility to provide a safe, secure and supportive environment in which children can learn and develop creatively, emotionally, physically and socially.
This policy is based on and adheres to:
Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023 statutory update)
Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2025
Children Act 1989 & 2004
The Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 (Prevent Duty)
Kent Safeguarding Children Multi-Agency Partnership Procedures (KSCMP)
UK GDPR & Data Protection Act 2018
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
2. Safeguarding Leadership
Role
Name
Training Renewal
Contact
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Christina Yates
Every 2 years
info@invictayouththeatre.co.uk
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (Deputy DSL)
Heather Brooks
Every 2 years
heatherbrooks@invictayouththeatre.co.uk
The DSL has overall accountability for safeguarding practice.
The Deputy DSL is trained and able to act in the DSL’s absence.
The Deputy DSL is trained and able to act in the DSL’s absence.
3. Scope
This policy applies to:
All children and young people attending Invicta Youth Theatre activities
All staff, chaperones, volunteers, freelance practitioners, and visiting professionals
Activities at Cranbrook School Performing Arts Centre and all off-site rehearsals, workshops, trips, and performances.
4. Types of Abuse (as defined in Working Together 2023)
Physical Abuse
Emotional Abuse
Sexual Abuse
Neglect
Also recognised in education/safeguarding practice:
Child sexual exploitation (CSE)
Criminal exploitation (County Lines)
Harmful sexual behaviour (HSB)
Online harm
Domestic abuse impact (Operation Encompass link if working with schools)
Radicalisation (Prevent Duty)
5. Recognising and Responding to Concerns
Any concern — no matter how small — must be reported to the DSL/Deputy DSL.
If a child discloses:
Do:
Stay calm
Listen without interruption
Reassure the child they are not to blame
Explain you cannot keep it secret
Record and report immediately
Do not:
Promise confidentiality
Ask leading questions
Investigate yourself
Reporting Route (Staff & Volunteers)
Record what you observed/heard (factual, no interpretation).
Report to DSL/Deputy DSL immediately.
DSL decides whether to consult or refer.
6. Referral to Safeguarding Authorities
Invicta Youth Theatre follows Kent Integrated Front Door (IFD) procedures.
Kent IFD Referral / Advice:
📞 03000 411111 (Mon–Fri)
📞 03000 419191 (Out of Hours)
Online referral: https://www.kscmp.org.uk/
📞 03000 411111 (Mon–Fri)
📞 03000 419191 (Out of Hours)
Online referral: https://www.kscmp.org.uk/
If a child is in immediate danger, staff must call 999.
7. Allegations Against Staff or Volunteers
Any allegation or concern regarding conduct of staff, volunteer, tutor, chaperone or DSL/Deputy DSL must be reported immediately to the DSL, who will refer to the Kent LADO:
Kent LADO
📞 03000 410888
📧 lado@kent.gov.uk
📞 03000 410888
📧 lado@kent.gov.uk
No internal investigation will take place prior to LADO consultation.
8. Safer Recruitment
Invicta Youth Theatre will:
Conduct Enhanced DBS with Barred List checks for staff in regulated activity
Obtain references and verify identity, qualifications, and work history
Issue written role expectations and safeguarding responsibilities
Maintain a Single Central Record of checks
Volunteers will be supervised unless DBS-checked.
9. Staff and Volunteer Conduct
All adults must:
Maintain professional boundaries
Avoid being alone 1:1 without visibility
Use only organisational communication channels
Never share personal contact details with students
Use physical contact only when necessary, appropriate, and recorded
10. Online Safety, Photography & Filming
Parental consent is obtained before photographing or filming children.
Images are stored securely and used only for agreed purposes.
Children must not be filmed or photographed in dressing rooms.
Staff and volunteers must not communicate with students via personal social media accounts.
11. Record Keeping & Confidentiality
All safeguarding concerns are recorded on secure, separate safeguarding files.
Records are factual, dated, signed and stored in line with Data Protection Act 2018.
Information is shared only on a need-to-know basis.
12. Training
DSL and Deputy DSL undertake accredited DSL training every 2 years.
All staff and volunteers receive annual safeguarding awareness training.
Induction includes code of conduct & reporting procedures.
13. Policy Review
This policy is reviewed annually or after changes in legislation/guidance.
Approved by: Christina Yates, Principal
Date: September 2025
Approved by: Christina Yates, Principal
Date: September 2025
