Safeguarding Policy

Purpose

Tower Block Radio is committed to protecting children and young people from harm. This Safeguarding Policy explains how we aim to keep children and young people safe when they interact with Tower Block Radio through workshops, events, mentoring, volunteering, radio activity, online communication, archive projects or community programmes.

Scope

This policy applies to:

• Tower Block Radio founders, directors, workers and contractors.
• DJs, presenters, hosts and show contributors.
• Volunteers and mentors.
• Workshop facilitators.
• Event staff.
• Partner organisations working with Tower Block Radio.
• Children and young people who take part in Tower Block Radio activity.
• Parents, carers and guardians where relevant.

Our safeguarding commitment

Tower Block Radio will:

• Put the welfare of children and young people first.
• Treat safeguarding concerns seriously.
• Create safe and respectful creative spaces.
• Make sure adults understand appropriate boundaries.
• Use safer recruitment where roles involve contact with children or young people.
• Require appropriate checks, references or DBS checks where needed.
• Keep records of safeguarding concerns.
• Share information only where necessary and lawful.
• Escalate urgent concerns to the relevant authority.
• Review this policy regularly.

Definitions

A child or young person means anyone under 18.

Safeguarding means protecting children from abuse, neglect, exploitation and harm, and promoting their welfare.

Child protection is part of safeguarding and refers to action taken when a child may be at risk of significant harm.

Types of concern

Safeguarding concerns may include:

• Physical abuse.
• Emotional abuse.
• Sexual abuse.
• Neglect.
• Bullying or harassment.
• Online abuse.
• Grooming.
• Exploitation.
• Radicalisation.
• Discriminatory abuse.
• Unsafe adult behaviour.
• Inappropriate messages or contact.
• Substance misuse around young people.
• Unsafe workshop or event environments.

Safer recruitment

Where a role involves working with children or young people, Tower Block Radio may require:

• Application forms.
• Interviews or informal suitability checks.
• Identity checks.
• References.
• DBS checks where appropriate.
• Safeguarding training.
• Agreement to the Code of Conduct.
• Supervision or probationary periods.

Behaviour expectations

Adults must:

• Treat children and young people with respect.
• Maintain professional boundaries.
• Avoid being alone with a child where this is not necessary or agreed.
• Avoid private personal messaging with children unless approved and necessary for the activity.
• Never share sexual, violent or inappropriate content with children.
• Never use their position to exploit, pressure or manipulate.
• Never invite children to private locations or private online spaces without appropriate approval.
• Report concerns quickly.

Online communication

Communication with children and young people must be appropriate, necessary and transparent. Where possible, communication should include a parent, carer, guardian or approved organisational contact. Private messaging should be avoided unless there is a clear reason, consent and oversight.

Workshops and events

For workshops and youth facing activity, Tower Block Radio will aim to:

• Use appropriate venues.
• Risk assess activity.
• Keep attendance records.
• Collect emergency contact details where needed.
• Obtain consent where appropriate.
• Brief staff and volunteers.
• Maintain suitable adult supervision.
• Follow partner venue safeguarding requirements.

Responding to a concern

If someone raises a safeguarding concern:

• Listen calmly.
• Do not promise secrecy.
• Do not investigate yourself.
• Record the concern accurately.
• Report it to the Safeguarding Lead as soon as possible.
• If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.
• If urgent but not an emergency, contact the relevant local safeguarding service or police route.

Recording concerns

Records should include:

• Date and time.
• Name of person reporting.
• Name of child or young person if known.
• What was said or observed.
• Who was involved.
• Any immediate action taken.
• Who the concern was passed to.
• Outcome or next steps where known.

Records must be stored securely and only shared with people who need to know.

Allegations against adults

Any allegation about the behaviour of an adult connected to Tower Block Radio must be taken seriously. The person receiving the concern must report it to the Safeguarding Lead. The Safeguarding Lead should consider whether the concern needs to be referred to the Local Authority Designated Officer, police, safeguarding partners or another relevant authority.

Confidentiality

Safeguarding information must be handled carefully. Information should only be shared when necessary to protect someone, comply with the law or support a proper safeguarding process.

Named safeguarding contact

Safeguarding Lead: To be appointed

Email: safeguarding@towerblock.radio

Emergency: If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.

Review

This policy will be reviewed at least annually and whenever Tower Block Radio begins new youth facing activity, workshops, funded programmes or partnership work.