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Safeguarding Policy

Last updated: 18 April 2026

South West Community Studios CIC, trading as South West Studios, is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and adults at risk who take part in our workshops, events, and programmes. This policy explains what we do and who to contact.

Who this applies to

  • Everyone who works, volunteers, delivers sessions, or performs at South West Studios.
  • Anyone under 18 attending any SWS programme, event, or rehearsal session.
  • Any adult who may be vulnerable through age, disability, illness, or circumstance.

Our commitment

We will:

  • Treat every child and adult at risk with respect and listen to them if they tell us something is wrong.
  • Make sure anyone who works regularly and unsupervised with children or adults at risk has a valid PVG (Protecting Vulnerable Groups) scheme membership, as required by Scottish law.
  • Take any safeguarding concern seriously, record it, and act on it quickly.
  • Share information with the appropriate agencies where there is a safeguarding concern, in line with our duties under the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 and the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007.

Designated Safeguarding Lead

Our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is:

  • Name: [DSL NAME]
  • Contact: [DSL EMAIL] · [DSL PHONE]

The DSL is the first point of contact for any safeguarding concern. If the concern is about the DSL, contact [DEPUTY DSL NAME] at [DEPUTY DSL EMAIL].

Under-18s at the studio

  • People under 18 must be supervised at all times by a responsible adult who signed them up.
  • For structured workshops, we will ask for the name and contact details of a parent or guardian before a young person starts.
  • We will only contact a young person directly with the knowledge and consent of their parent or guardian.
  • We will not meet a young person alone off-site, or give lifts alone, except in a clear safeguarding emergency.

Recognising a concern

A safeguarding concern can be anything that makes you worried about the welfare of a child, young person, or adult at risk. This could be:

  • A disclosure — they tell you something has happened.
  • Something you've seen — bruising, injury, neglect, or concerning behaviour by another adult.
  • Something that doesn't feel right — a gut feeling that should be checked out.

What to do if you have a concern

  1. If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.
  2. Tell the Designated Safeguarding Lead as soon as you can. Put it in writing the same day, even if it's a short note.
  3. Don't promise confidentiality. You can promise to take them seriously and to tell them what happens next.
  4. Don't investigate. Record what was said or seen in the person's own words. Don't ask leading questions.
  5. Don't discuss the concern with anyone other than the DSL, the appropriate statutory services, or the person making the report.

How we handle a concern

  • The DSL will assess the concern and, where appropriate, refer it to the relevant agency:
    • Children: North Ayrshire Council Social Work on 01294 310 300 (daytime) / 0300 303 0110 (out of hours), or Police Scotland on 101.
    • Adults at risk: North Ayrshire Council Adult Protection team on 01294 310 300 / 0300 303 0110.
    • Emergency: 999.
  • We will keep a written record of the concern, decision, and actions, securely and confidentially.
  • We will only share the record with people who need to know, in line with the Privacy Policy and our legal duties.

Staff and volunteers

  • Anyone working regularly and unsupervised with children or adults at risk will be PVG-checked before they start.
  • All staff and volunteers are expected to read and agree to this policy annually.
  • We deliver safeguarding training proportionate to the role.

Whistleblowing

If you believe this policy is not being followed, or that another member of the team has put a child or adult at risk at harm, raise it with the DSL. If the concern is about the DSL, raise it with [DEPUTY DSL NAME]. If you believe the organisation as a whole has failed to act, you can report to Police Scotland, the Care Inspectorate, or the relevant statutory body.

Review

This policy is reviewed at least once a year, and immediately after any serious safeguarding incident.

Useful contacts

  • Childline: 0800 1111
  • NSPCC helpline: 0808 800 5000
  • Police Scotland: 999 (emergency) / 101 (non-emergency)
  • Scottish Social Services Council: sssc.uk.com
  • Care Inspectorate: 0345 600 9527
Safeguarding Policy · South West Studios