TOTNES Fringe Festival SAFEGUARDING POLICY

This Policy relates to all who attend the Totnes Fringe events and performances, in particular children under the age of eighteen and vulnerable adults. 

Statement

The Totnes Fringe is a festival of theatre performed throughout the town.  We believe that everyone should be able to access culture and theatre.  Without a local arts centre and consistent theatre on offer many in Totnes and the surrounding rural areas never get to engage with this form of art.  By programming a range of theatre that is accessible, diverse and of quality we invite the community to take part in a weekend that celebrates theatre and all that it can do for an audience- to engage us, entertain us and even transform us.  We believe that by offering opportunities for local theatre artists and companies to perform alongside those from further afield an exchange of culture and art will enrich the local theatre and performance ecology.  The Totnes Fringe will grow both the community of local audiences and artists imbedding theatre into the town and surrounding villages.

Preliminary safeguarding statement 

The safety of vulnerable adults (to encompass those who have a Learning Disability, Mental Health issues or are vulnerable by way of disability, illness or addiction) and children is paramount and all, without exception, have the right to protection from abuse. All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously, responded to swiftly and appropriately and all the organizers, venue hosts and other volunteers have a responsibility to report concerns. We take our responsibility seriously to ensure that everyone who visits a Totnes Fringe event can do so in a safe environment. 

Every activity is risk assessed, and this includes consideration of the necessity for roles to be DBS assessed and safeguarding risks. 

Responsibility of Parents and Carers 

Children and adults who may be at risk, who attend Festival events, remain the responsibility of their parents, carers, teachers or a responsible adult who must ensure they are adequately supervised at all times. 

Safeguarding Policy with Venues 

The Totnes Fringe uses various local venues for its events. We will carry out a Risk Assessment at each venue and for each event. This will include ensuring there is adequate First Aid provision and arrangements to deal with Fire Safety. 

Code of Practice 

The safety of children and vulnerable adults who attend Festival and other events is paramount. Our volunteers will do their best to provide an environment that will treat everyone involved with respect, aiming to create positive atmospheres and enjoyment for all.

Volunteers will avoid being alone with children or vulnerable adults and will endeavour to ensure appropriate supervision is available.

Volunteers will maintain awareness around language and comments made. If they think that something that has been said may have caused offence or upset, then they will try to address it in a sensitive manner. 

Volunteers will report any concerns to their designated contact person. 

Personnel 

Festival stewards and volunteers will wear badges, and where relevant, Festival t-shirts. Any safety or welfare concerns should be referred to one of them.

All volunteers will receive this safeguarding policy and will refer any matter of concern to their contact person who will deal with incidents or matters of concern. 

Safeguarding Officer 

A member of Totnes Fringe will act as Safeguarding Officer. 

He/she will: 

• Ensure this policy and procedures are followed.

• Record and ensure that any serious incidents are dealt with effectively. 

• Prepare Risk Assessments for each Festival event taking place in an uncontrolled environment, in conjunction with the Festival Committee. 

Totnes Fringe Safeguarding Named Person: Guy Rapson

Photography and video recording 

A Festival photographer may attend different events and will make themselves known to the artists, venue hosts and audience where relevant. He/she will be visible, wearing a festival T-shirt. NO photographs of children will be taken without permission of a carer. Photographs will be used for publicity and in our publications. 

Risk Assessment 

Festival organisers have a duty of care to everyone involved at their events and may be held liable if anyone is hurt or injured because of negligence. We will carry out a risk assessment for the Festival overall and for each event that is not held in a named venue as well as within the venues. The Festival takes no responsibility for personal property at any of its venues. 

Dissemination and Review 

This policy will be published on the Totnes Fringe website. It will be sent by email to all volunteers, artists and members of the Totnes Fringe committee groups.

For any safeguarding concerns we can be reached at info@totnesfringe.uk