Policies

Safeguarding Policy

PURPOSE AND SCOPE

The purpose of this policy statement is:

• To protect children and young people who receive The Creative Dimension Trust’s services from harm.
• To provide staff and volunteers, as well as children and young people and their families, with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection.

This policy applies to anyone working on behalf of The Creative Dimension Trust, including senior managers and the board of trustees, paid staff, volunteers, sessional workers, agency staff and students.

We believe that:

• children and young people should never experience abuse of any kind
• we have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people, to keep them safe and to practise in a way that protects them.

We recognise that:

• the welfare of children is paramount in all the work we do and in all the decisions we take
• working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare
• all children, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation have an equal right to protection from all types of harm or abuse
• some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues
• extra safeguards may be needed to keep children who are additionally vulnerable safe from abuse.

CODES OF CONDUCT

We aim to provide a safe environment free from discrimination, upholding and promoting equality, diversity and inclusion. We undertake to:

• treat all children and young people with respect and dignity
• ensure that their welfare and safety is always paramount
• maintain professional boundaries both face to face and when using technology
• always listen to individuals and take account of their wishes and feelings
• always act in a professional way and not accept bullying, swearing or other disruptive behaviour
• liaise openly with parents and carers
• only use physical contact if absolutely necessary
• avoid being alone with children and young people whenever possible
• listen to, and act upon, any disclosures, allegations, or concerns of abuse
• participate in approved safeguarding training at appropriate levels
• follow our safeguarding policy at all times.

We will always ensure external facilitators and activities undertaken are risk assessed and we are committed to:

• ensuring that those who run activities have the expertise, knowledge and skills to do so properly
• completing a risk assessment which involves identifying risks and the means of reducing or eliminating those risks for all activities or events
• risk assessing any changes being made to activities or events involving children and young people
• having a written plan in place in case of emergency
• implementing the required actions identified by the risk assessment process and reviewing the effectiveness of these on a regular basis
• sharing this policy and safeguarding guidance with members of staff, facilitators and contractors, where relevant, involved in events.

Legal framework

This policy has been drawn up on the basis of legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children in the United Kingdom. A summary of the key legislation and guidance is available from www.nspcc.org.uk/childprotection.

Disclosure and Barring Service

The Trust requires its Tutors or anyone likely to have unsupervised contact with children to have Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Certification, and to provide on request their DBS Certificate, or Certificate number.

Recognising Abuse

The following list is for guidance only. It is important to be observant, listen to what is being said and record.

Abuse

• Physical – where children’s bodies are hurt or injured
• Emotional – where children do not receive love and affection, may be frightened by threats or taunts or are given responsibilities beyond their capabilities
• Sexual – where adults (and sometimes other children) use children to satisfy sexual desires
• Neglect – where adults fail to care for children and protect them from danger, seriously impairing health and development

Signs of Abuse

• Physical – unexplained or hidden injuries; lack of medical attention
• Emotional – reverting to younger behaviour, nervousness, attention-seeking, stealing, lying
• Sexual – pre-occupation with sexual matters evident in words, play, drawings, being sexually provocative with adults
• Neglect – looking ill-cared for and unhappy, being withdrawn or aggressive

Procedures

We ensure and emphasise that everyone in our organisation understands and knows how to share any concerns immediately with the Nominated Child Protection Lead.

If you suspect or witness abuse:

• React calmly so as not to frighten the child
• Tell the child that he or she is not to blame and that it was right to tell you what was happening
• Take what the child says seriously
• Ensure the safety of the child
• Avoid leading the child in any questioning
• Reassure the child but do not make promises of confidentiality
• Make a full record of what has been said, heard and/or seen as soon as possible
• Report your concerns to the person in charge immediately
• IN AN EMERGENCY DO NOT DELAY: DIAL 999

Authorities:
Police (immediate danger): 999 | Non-emergency: 101
Local Council: Children’s social care team
NSPCC Child Protection 24-hour Helpline: 0808 800 5000

This policy was last reviewed in October 2025 and will be reviewed annually.

Safer Recruitment Policy

Purpose

This policy sets out how The Creative Dimension Trust recruits new staff and volunteers in a way that safeguards and promotes the welfare of children and young people. It ensures that all reasonable steps are taken to prevent unsuitable individuals from working with children. This policy should be read in conjunction with our Safeguarding Policy.

Scope

This policy applies to TCDT staff, tutors, volunteers, trustees, and contractors or consultants who may have contact with children.

Key Principles

• Planning recruitment with safeguarding in mind
• Being clear about safeguarding responsibilities in every role
• Obtaining and scrutinising all relevant information
• Taking up and verifying references
• Ensuring appropriate checks are completed
• Acting on concerns or discrepancies

Safer Recruitment Process

All recruitment advertisements and role descriptions will include a clear statement of our commitment to safeguarding, state that enhanced DBS checks will be required where relevant, and outline safeguarding responsibilities within the role.

Selection criteria will include an assessment of the applicant’s suitability to work with children. All candidates will be interviewed face-to-face with safeguarding-related questions appropriate to the role.

A minimum of one reference will be obtained and checked before the individual starts work. References will specifically ask about the candidate’s suitability to work with children.

Pre-Appointment Checks

An offer of employment or engagement will be conditional upon satisfactory completion of: identity verification, enhanced DBS check (including barred list check where applicable), right to work in the UK, and verification of qualifications where required. No individual will begin regulated activity with children until all required checks have been completed.

Induction and Ongoing Safeguarding

All newly appointed staff, trustees and volunteers will be provided with key safeguarding policies and procedures and made aware of reporting procedures and the role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

This policy was last reviewed in February 2026 and will be reviewed annually.

Equal Opportunities Policy

• The TCDT is committed to equal opportunities and non-discriminatory procedures and practices.
• The TCDT does not discriminate against students on the basis of gender, race, national origin or nationality, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.
• The TCDT is committed to recruiting students from a wide range of schools and raising funds for bursaries to maximise opportunities.
• The TCDT will offer equality of opportunity for all job applicants and employees.
• Bullying or harassment is totally unacceptable.
• The EOP is communicated to all employees, teachers, trustees, and volunteers, who are obliged to respect it and act accordingly.
• The Chief Executive Officer has overall responsibility for the EOP.
• Complaints that cannot be resolved informally should be sent in writing to the CEO. If the issues are still unresolved, a written appeal should be sent to the Board of Trustees.
• The EOP is reviewed as to its effectiveness at the annual Board Meeting and revised accordingly.

Privacy Policy

For the purposes of the Data Protection Act 1998 and under the 2018 General Data Protection Regulations, the Data Controller is The Creative Dimension Trust.

Registered Charity number: 1166443
Registered Address: The Creative Dimension Trust, 6 Trull Farm Buildings, Trull, Tetbury GL8 8SQ

This privacy policy sets out how The Creative Dimension Trust uses and protects any information provided to us by potential applicants and grantees. We collect the minimum amount of information necessary in order to carry out the aims of The Creative Dimension Trust and/or to comply with our legal responsibilities. We only use personal information provided to us in accordance with this privacy statement.

We will only use personal information provided to us to assess applications, manage or monitor grants awarded, and for related administration, research and reporting purposes. When personal information is submitted to us online within an application, the applicant is responsible for confirming that they have obtained permission from any individuals identified to pass on their details to The Creative Dimension Trust.

Your details are never sold or disclosed to third-parties for marketing purposes. If requested, we may share relevant information to our funding organisations to use in their own assessment of applications or grants.

You may ask us for details of the personal data we hold about you at any time. All requests should be sent in writing to Penny Bendall, 40 Carlton Road, London SW14 7RJ.

The Creative Dimension Trust is a charity registered in England and Wales. No. 1166443
The Creative Dimension Trust, 6 Trull Farm Buildings, Trull, Tetbury GL8 8SQ
www.thecreativedimension.org