Effective Date: 22nd May 2026
Introduction
At Hub Screen Acting Academy, we are dedicated to providing a safe, supportive, and inspiring environment for all young people who take part in our classes and activities. The wellbeing of our students is at the heart of everything we do. This safeguarding policy outlines the measures we take to protect children and young people aged 13–18, and the responsibilities we hold as an organisation to ensure their safety, welfare, and positive development while training with us.
1. Purpose and Scope
This policy applies to all staff, tutors, assistants, freelance practitioners, and external partners who work with young people through Hub Screen Acting Academy. Our purpose is to ensure that every student aged 13–18 is protected from harm, neglect, and abuse while participating in our classes, workshops, and activities. We are committed to creating a safe, supportive learning environment where young people can develop their skills and confidence in screen acting.
2. Safeguarding Principles
Child-Centred Approach: The safety, wellbeing, and best interests of our students are our highest priority. All decisions and actions taken by staff must place the needs of young people at the centre.
Prevention: We are committed to creating a culture where safeguarding is understood, prioritised, and embedded in everyday practice. All staff receive training to recognise signs of abuse, respond appropriately, and take proactive steps to maintain a safe learning environment.
Partnership: We work collaboratively with students, parents, guardians, tutors, and relevant external agencies to ensure the protection and welfare of every young person who attends Hub Screen Acting Academy. Open communication and shared responsibility are essential to effective safeguarding.
3. Safer Recruitment
All staff, tutors, assistants, and freelance practitioners who work with young people at Hub Screen Acting Academy will be subject to the following safeguarding measures:
Enhanced DBS Checks: All individuals working directly with students must hold a valid Enhanced DBS check (Child Workforce) before beginning any teaching or supervisory duties.
Reference Verification: We will obtain and verify professional references for all staff and freelance practitioners to ensure their suitability to work with young people.
Safeguarding Training: All staff will complete safeguarding training as part of their induction and will receive regular updates to ensure their knowledge remains current and in line with best practice.
4. Recognising Abuse
Abuse can present in many different forms. All staff at Hub Screen Acting Academy must be aware of the signs and understand how to respond appropriately. Types of abuse include:
Physical Abuse: Any form of physical harm or injury caused deliberately.
Emotional Abuse: Persistent emotional maltreatment that impacts a young person’s self-esteem, confidence, or emotional development.
Sexual Abuse: Involvement of a young person in sexual activities, whether physical or non-physical, including inappropriate communication or exposure.
Neglect: Failure to meet a young person’s basic physical, emotional, or developmental needs, placing them at risk of harm.
We ensure that all staff receive training to recognise the indicators of abuse and understand the correct procedures for reporting concerns swiftly and safely.
5. Reporting Concerns
If any member of staff, tutor, assistant, or volunteer has a concern that a young person may be at risk of harm, they must report this immediately to our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). No concern is too small to raise. All reports will be taken seriously and handled sensitively.
If the DSL believes that a student is in immediate danger or at significant risk of harm, the matter will be escalated without delay to the appropriate external agencies, such as children’s social care or the police.
Designated Safeguarding Lead: Paisley Morrison
6. Managing Allegations
If an allegation of abuse, misconduct, or inappropriate behaviour is made against a member of staff, tutor, assistant, or freelance practitioner, immediate steps will be taken to safeguard the young person involved. The individual concerned may be temporarily removed from duties or suspended while the matter is investigated. All allegations will be handled promptly, fairly, and in accordance with safeguarding best practice.
7. Confidentiality
All safeguarding concerns, reports, and allegations will be treated with the utmost confidentiality. Information will only be shared with individuals or agencies who need to know in order to protect the young person involved. We will always prioritise the safety and wellbeing of the student while ensuring that information is handled sensitively and in line with data protection legislation.
8. Review
This safeguarding policy will be reviewed annually to ensure it remains compliant with current legislation, guidance, and best practice. Updates may be made sooner if required by changes in law or safeguarding standards.