Child Protection & Vulnerable Adult Policy

Baseless Fabric Theatre believes that a child, young person or vulnerable adult should never experience abuse of any kind. We have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all young people and vulnerable adults and to keep them safe. We are committed to practice in a way that protects them.

This policy applies to all staff, including the board of trustees, paid staff, volunteers, and freelancers, as well as anyone working on behalf of Baseless Fabric Theatre. Baseless Fabric Theatre recognizes its duty of care under relevant legislation, including the Children Act 1989, the Children Act 2004, and the Children and Social Work Act 2017. This policy has been developed based on this legislation, along with other applicable policies and guidance aimed at safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in England.

The purpose of this policy:

  • To protect children, young people and vulnerable adults who are involved in workshops, project outreach, or arts events organised by Baseless Fabric Theatre.
  • To provide staff and volunteers with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child and vulnerable adult protection.

We recognise that:

  • The welfare of the child or vulnerable adult is paramount.
  • All persons, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity, have a right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse.
  • Some young people and adults are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues.

1. Codes of practice

  • All staff and freelancers are given clear established roles for their project outreach and education work.
  • Staff and freelancers working directly with young people or vulnerable adults are DBS checked unless otherwise agreed with the venue. It is rare for a freelance practitioner to operate without a DBS, and in such cases, they will be supervised at all times by a DBS checked practitioner.
  • Baseless Fabric Theatre works in teams of at least two people, unless a relationship is already established with a group, in which case an individual may work alone
  • Young and vulnerable participants will be supervised at all times during projects, including travel to and from the venue if applicable.
  • Baseless Fabric workshop leaders will be responsible for ensuring health and safety requirements are met in the working environment in collaboration with the school teacher or leader at a partner organisation.
  • Workshop leaders will find out about special needs of participants before the workshop commences in collaboration with the school teacher or leader at a partner organisation.

2. Safe practices when recruiting new paid and unpaid workers

  • A written application form is to be completed for all applicants to all posts working with young and vulnerable people, asking for any past convictions, cautions, reprimands, final warnings as well as any pending cases. Applicants will be asked if they have ever had any complaints of abuse against them.
  • Face-to-face interviews will be held with anyone Baseless Fabric Theatre may wish to appoint to work with young or vulnerable people in person or online.
  • Applicants must provide proof of identification and original copies of any necessary qualifications.

3. Induction and on-going Training for Staff & Volunteers

  • All new paid and unpaid workers will have an induction and will work for a trial period before their appointment is confirmed. Freelancers will be assessed on an individual workshop basis.
  • New staff, volunteers and freelancers will be given copies of this policy and receive training about safeguarding.
  • Supervision and support of all volunteers, staff and freelancers will include monitoring of safeguarding practice and reviews of progress.
  • Baseless Fabric Theatre will access further training and learning about safeguarding issues when these are relevant and required.

4. Running a safe organisation

  • We will assess the risks of an activity in advance and take precautions to prevent accidents.
  • We will maintain an adequate ratio of children to adults to ensure that children are safely supervised at all times.
  • We will ensure that insurance policies are in place and up to date.
  • A teacher or adult member of partner organisations/schools will be present during Baseless Fabric Theatre’s workshops offered to these partner organisations where possible.
  • Evaluations are carried out after all workshops to ensure that any problems are aired and addressed in the future.

5. Recognising and Responding to Concerns and Disclosures

Baseless Fabric Theatre is committed to ensuring all staff, volunteers, and representatives understand how to recognise signs of abuse and how to respond appropriately to disclosures. This includes recognising concerns about:

  • Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse
  • Neglect or exploitation
  • Online harm or inappropriate contact
  • Harm caused by another staff member, volunteer, or peer

Common indicators include injuries with no explanation, withdrawn behaviour, age-inappropriate sexual knowledge, lack of basic care. One sign rarely proves abuse and staff should look for patterns.

6. Procedure for responding to Disclosures and Concerns

If a child, young person, or vulnerable adult discloses a concern, or if Baseless Fabric staff, freelancers or volunteers have any safeguarding concerns:

  • Listen – stay calm, allow silence, don’t investigate.
  • Reassure – thank the person, affirm it’s not their fault.
  • Explain the next steps – reassure the person that you are there to help and that you will need to tell someone who can help. Do not investigate the issue yourself, or promise confidentiality.
  • Record – factual notes (date/time, words used, who was present)
  • Report – to the Nominated Safeguarding Lead the same day who decides on referral within 24hrs.

The Nominated Safeguarding Lead will then take the lead on responding to information that may constitute a child protection concern, including a concern that an adult involved with Baseless Fabric Theatre may present a risk to children, young people or vulnerable adults. This will be in partnership with staff at our partner organisation (such as a school or youth club) if appropriate.

7. Managing Allegations Against Baseless Fabric Staff or Volunteers

We take any allegation or concern seriously if it suggests a member of staff, freelancer, volunteer, or representative has:

  • Behaved in a way that has harmed, or may have harmed, a child or vulnerable adult
  • Committed a criminal offence related to safeguarding
  • Behaved in a way that raises doubts about their suitability to work with children or vulnerable adults

All allegations against Baseless Fabric staff and volunteers must be reported to the Nominated Safeguarding Lead immediately. If the concern is about the Nominated Safeguarding Lead, it must be reported directly to the Trustee Safeguarding Lead.

Upon receiving an allegation, the Nominated Safeguarding Lead will:

  • Assess and clarify the information
  • Consult with and inform the board of trustees in particular the Trustee Safeguarding Lead
  • Consult organisations such as the NSPCC when support is needed.
  • Follow Baseless Fabric’s safeguarding policy and procedures.
  • Record all actions, decisions and communications related to the case.
  • Make referrals to statutory organisations as appropriate (e.g., police, social services, Local Authority Designated Officer)
  • Cooperate fully with investigations by external safeguarding bodies, including providing access to relevant personnel and documentation.
  • Ensure that any individual who is the subject of an allegation is treated fairly, informed of the process, and given the opportunity to respond at the appropriate stage.
  • Where an allegation is substantiated, take appropriate disciplinary and safeguarding action, including referral to the DBS where required by law.
  • For the formal process of making and resolving complaints, including those involving allegations against staff and volunteers, Baseless Fabric will also follow the procedures of our Complaints Policy.

8. Contact Details

Nominated Safeguarding Lead
Name: Joanna Turner
Email: [email protected]

Trustee Safeguarding Lead
Name: Arnold Pindar
Address: Baseless Fabric, WimbleTech Zone 1, Wimbledon Reference Library, Wimbledon Hill Road,
London, SW19 7NB

9. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed and updated annually by the Board of Trustees. It was last updated on 1st July 2025.