Child Safeguarding of Act One Stage and Screen

Updated: August 2026

KEEPING OUR STUDENTS SAFE

At Act One Stage and Screen, the safety, wellbeing and happiness of every student is our highest priority.

We are committed to providing a safe, supportive and inclusive environment where children and young people can explore their creativity, build confidence and develop their performance skills while feeling valued, respected and protected.

We believe that every child has the right to feel safe, be listened to and be treated with kindness and respect. Safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do, from the way we recruit our team to the way we deliver our classes, workshops and productions.

OUR SAFEGUARDING COMMITMENT

Act One Stage and Screen follows robust safeguarding procedures designed to protect children and young people attending our theatre school.

Our safeguarding approach includes:

  • Safer recruitment procedures for all staff and regular team members;

  • Appropriate background checks, including enhanced DBS checks where required;

  • Clear professional boundaries between staff and students;

  • Regular safeguarding awareness and training;

  • Safe supervision practices during classes, rehearsals and performances;

  • Procedures for reporting and responding to concerns.

All members of our team understand their responsibility to safeguard students and contribute to creating a safe and positive environment.

OUR TEAM 

Our teaching team is carefully selected based on their experience, professionalism and suitability to work with children and young people.

All staff members working with students are expected to follow Act One Stage and Screen’s safeguarding procedures and maintain the highest standards of professional conduct.

Where required for their role, staff members complete enhanced DBS checks through the Disclosure and Barring Service.

DESIGNATED SAFEGUARDING LEAD

Act One Stage and Screen has a designated member of staff responsible for safeguarding and child protection.

Designated Safeguarding Lead: Leah Sawyer (Principal and Founder of Act One Stage and Screen)

Email: Leah@actonestageandscreen.com

Telephone: 07988 069504

DEPUTY DESIGNATED SAFEGUARDING LEAD  - WINCHESTER BRANCH

To ensure safeguarding support is always available, Act One Stage and Screen has a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) who supports the Designated Safeguarding Lead and acts in their absence.

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead: Leah Sawyer (Principal and Founder of Act One Stage and Screen)

Email: lucyfiona@hotmail.co.uk

The Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead supports the management of safeguarding concerns, safeguarding records and referrals where required. If the Designated Safeguarding Lead is unavailable, concerns should be reported directly to the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead.

If you have a concern about the safety or wellbeing of a child attending Act One Stage and Screen, please contact our Designated Safeguarding Lead as soon as possible.

REPORTING A CONCERN 

At Act One Stage and Screen, every safeguarding concern is taken seriously.

Concerns may arise from something a child says, something that is observed, a change in behaviour, concerns about another child or adult, or information received from a third party.

When a concern is reported, we will:

  • Listen carefully and take the concern seriously.

  • Make a written record of the concern.

  • Refer the matter to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (or Deputy DSL where appropriate).

  • Assess any immediate risks to the child's safety or wellbeing.

  • Decide on the most appropriate course of action.

  • Where necessary, seek advice from or make referrals to Children's Social Care, the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), the Police or other safeguarding agencies.

Where there is reason to believe that a child is suffering, or is at risk of suffering, significant harm, Act One Stage and Screen may make a referral without first informing parents where this is considered necessary to protect the child.

The welfare of the child will always be our primary concern.

CREATING A POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT 

At Act One Stage and Screen, we want every student to feel confident, included and able to be themselves.

We are committed to:

  • Celebrating individuality and creativity;

  • Treating every student with respect;

  • Supporting different abilities and learning needs;

  • Encouraging kindness, teamwork and confidence;

  • Providing an environment free from discrimination, bullying or harassment.

Every student should feel that they belong at Act One Stage and Screen.

ONLINE SAFETY

As a stage and screen school, we recognise that digital technology plays an important part in learning and communication.

To help keep students safe:

  • Staff communicate with families through approved channels only.

  • Staff do not communicate with students through personal social media accounts.

  • Personal contact details are not shared unnecessarily.

  • Online rehearsals or tuition (where offered) take place using approved platforms.

  • Any concerns relating to cyberbullying, inappropriate online contact or digital safety are managed in line with our safeguarding procedures.

  • Images and recordings are only used with appropriate parental consent.

ONE-TO-ONE TUITION

Where one-to-one tuition is provided, additional safeguarding measures apply.

Private lessons:

  • require parental consent for students under 18;

  • take place in suitable supervised environments;

  • are conducted by authorised members of staff;

  • maintain appropriate professional boundaries at all times; and

  • follow the same safeguarding procedures as all other Act One Stage and Screen activities.

Where online tuition is provided, approved platforms and additional safeguards will be used.

PHOTOGRAPHY, FILMING & DIGITAL MEDIA

As a theatre school specialising in stage and screen performance, photography and filming are an important part of many of our activities.

To protect students:

  • Written parental consent upon sign up is obtained before identifiable images are used for publicity or marketing.

  • Images and recordings are stored securely.

  • Staff do not use personal devices unless authorised.

  • Personal information is never published alongside images without appropriate consent.

  • Audience filming may be restricted where safeguarding, licensing or privacy considerations apply.

ANTI-BULLYING

Act One Stage and Screen has a zero-tolerance approach to bullying, harassment and discrimination.

Bullying may include verbal, physical, emotional, social or online behaviour.

All reports are taken seriously, investigated promptly and managed fairly, with appropriate support provided to those affected.

We are committed to creating an environment where every student feels respected, included and safe.

COLLECTION & SUPERVISION

Students remain the responsibility of their parents or carer until they have been registered into class.

At the end of each session, students will only be released to a parent, carer or authorised adult unless written permission has been provided for independent travel.

If a child is not collected within a reasonable period and we are unable to contact a parent or emergency contact, safeguarding procedures may be followed.

WHISTLEBLOWING

Act One Stage and Screen encourages a culture of openness and accountability.

All staff, volunteers and contractors have a duty to report concerns regarding the conduct or behaviour of colleagues if they believe a child may be at risk.

Individuals raising genuine concerns in good faith will be supported and protected.

EXTERNAL SAFEGUARDING SUPPORT

If you have concerns about a child's welfare and feel unable to raise them directly with Act One Stage and Screen, you can contact:

  • NSPCC Helpline – 0808 800 5000

  • Childline – 0800 1111

  • Children's Social Care – Contact your local authority.

  • Police – 999 (emergency) or 101 (non-emergency)

LEGISLATION & GUIDANCE

Act One Stage and Screen's safeguarding arrangements are informed by current UK legislation and recognised safeguarding guidance, including:

  • Children Act 1989

  • Children Act 2004

  • Working Together to Safeguard Children

  • Equality Act 2010

  • Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR

  • Keeping Children Safe in Education (used as recognised best practice)

We regularly review our safeguarding procedures to ensure they reflect current legislation and best practice.

PARENTS AND CARERS

Safeguarding is a shared responsibility. We ask parents and carers to support us by:

  • Providing accurate and up-to-date emergency contact information;

  • Informing us of any medical, emotional or additional needs;

  • Keeping us updated about any circumstances that may affect their child;

  • Encouraging respectful behaviour towards staff and other students;

  • Raising any concerns directly with our team.

We welcome open communication and believe that working together creates the best possible experience for every student.

OUR POLICIES

Act One Stage and Screen maintains detailed safeguarding and child protection procedures which are available to parents and carers upon request.

If you have any questions regarding our safeguarding approach, please contact us.

ACT ONE STAGE AND SCREEN
Creating confident performers in a safe, supportive and inspiring environment.