Safeguarding Policy

1. Policy Statement
   Runners Media CIC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all individuals who engage with our organisation. We believe that everyone has the right to live
   free from abuse, neglect, exploitation, discrimination and harm. As a community media organisation delivering journalism, community engagement, training,
   events, digital media and volunteer programmes, we recognise our responsibility to protect children, young people and adults at risk who come into contact with our work.
   Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Every Director, employee, volunteer, freelancer and contractor has a duty to recognise concerns, respond appropriately and report
   safeguarding issues without delay.
2. Purpose
   This policy aims to:
    Protect children and adults at risk from harm.
    Promote safe working practices.
    Ensure safeguarding is embedded in all organisational activities.
    Provide clear procedures for reporting concerns.
    Meet our legal and ethical responsibilities.
3. Scope
   This policy applies to:
    Directors
    Employees
    Volunteers
    Freelancers
    Contractors
    Consultants
    Students and work placements
    Project participants
    Community members
    Partner organisations working on behalf of Runners Media CIC
4. Legal Framework
   This policy reflects relevant UK legislation and guidance, including:
    Children Act 1989
    Children Act 2004
    Care Act 2014
    Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
    Working Together to Safeguard Children (latest edition)
    Keeping Children Safe in Education (where applicable)
    Human Rights Act 1998
    Equality Act 2010
    Data Protection Act 2018
    UK GDPR
    Sexual Offences Act 2003
    Domestic Abuse Act 2021
    Serious Crime Act 2015
    Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 (Prevent Duty where applicable)
5. Our Safeguarding Principles
   Our safeguarding approach is based upon six core principles.
   Empowerment
   People are supported to make informed decisions, express their views and participate fully in
   decisions affecting them.
   Prevention
   We work proactively to reduce the risk of abuse through safe recruitment, training,
   supervision and risk assessment.
   Protection
   We respond quickly and appropriately where abuse or neglect is suspected.
   Partnership
   We work with statutory agencies, community organisations and safeguarding professionals
   whenever necessary.
   Accountability
   Safeguarding concerns are managed transparently, appropriately and in accordance with legal
   responsibilities.
   Proportionality
   Responses to safeguarding concerns will be appropriate to the level of risk while respecting
   individual rights.
6. Our Organisational Values
   Our safeguarding culture reflects our organisational values.
   Respectful – Everyone is treated with dignity.
   Inclusive – We welcome diversity and challenge discrimination.
   Empowering – People are encouraged to speak for themselves wherever possible.
   Accountable – We take responsibility for safeguarding decisions.
   Collaborative – We work closely with partners to protect people.
   Impact-Driven – We continuously improve safeguarding practice.
7. Safe Recruitment
   Runners Media CIC is committed to recruiting safely.
   Where appropriate we will:
    Obtain references.
    Carry out identity checks.
    Undertake DBS checks where legally required.
    Explain safeguarding responsibilities during induction.
    Provide safeguarding training.
    Require agreement to our Code of Conduct.
8. Safeguarding in Media Activities
   Because our organisation produces journalism, photography, podcasts, video and digital
   media, additional safeguarding measures apply.
   We will:
    Obtain appropriate consent before filming or photographing individuals.
    Obtain parental or guardian consent where legally required.
    Respect privacy and confidentiality.
    Avoid publishing material that may place someone at risk.
    Protect personal information.
    Carry out risk assessments before community filming.
    Never pressure anyone to participate.
   Participants may withdraw their consent where legally and practically possible.
9. Responsibilities
   Directors
   The Directors are responsible for:
    Approving this policy.
    Ensuring safeguarding is properly resourced.
    Monitoring compliance.
    Reviewing safeguarding risks.
    Supporting the Designated Safeguarding Officer.
   Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO)
   The DSO is responsible for:
    Leading safeguarding across the organisation.
    Receiving safeguarding concerns.
    Maintaining confidential safeguarding records.
    Referring concerns to statutory agencies where appropriate.
    Delivering safeguarding advice and training.
    Reviewing safeguarding procedures.
    Reporting safeguarding matters to the Board.
   Staff, Volunteers and Freelancers
   Everyone must:
    Complete safeguarding training.
    Follow this policy.
    Report concerns immediately.
    Maintain confidentiality.
    Act professionally.
    Cooperate with safeguarding investigations.
   No one should investigate safeguarding concerns themselves unless authorised.
10. Recognising Abuse
    Safeguarding concerns may involve:
     Physical abuse
     Emotional abuse
     Sexual abuse
     Neglect
     Financial abuse
     Domestic abuse
     Coercive control
     Modern slavery
     Online abuse
     Grooming
     Criminal exploitation
     County lines exploitation
     Radicalisation
     Hate crime
     Self-neglect (where applicable)
11. Reporting Safeguarding Concerns
    Anyone with a safeguarding concern must:
    Ensure immediate safety where possible.
    Report concerns immediately to the DSO.
    Record factual information.
    Maintain confidentiality.
    Avoid promising absolute confidentiality to the individual.
    Cooperate with any investigation.
    If someone is in immediate danger, emergency services should be contacted by calling 999.
12. Confidentiality and Information Sharing
    Safeguarding information will only be shared where:
     There is a legal duty.
     It is necessary to protect someone from harm.
     Sharing is proportionate and appropriate.
     It complies with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.
    Information will always be handled securely.
13. Training
    Runners Media CIC will ensure that safeguarding training is appropriate to each role.
    Training may include:
     Safeguarding awareness
     Child protection
     Adult safeguarding
     Online safety
     Prevent awareness (where relevant)
     Safe media production
     Professional boundaries
     Reporting procedures
    Refresher training will be provided periodically.
14. Risk Assessments
    Safeguarding risk assessments will be completed where appropriate before:
     Community events
     Filming projects
     Interviews
     Workshops
     Volunteer activities
     Outreach programmes
     Activities involving children or adults at risk
15. Responding to Allegations
    All safeguarding allegations will be:
     Taken seriously.
     Managed fairly.
     Recorded accurately.
     Investigated appropriately.
     Referred to statutory agencies where required.
    No person will suffer victimisation for reporting concerns in good faith.
16. Breaches of this Policy
    Failure to comply with this policy may result in:
     Additional safeguarding training
     Formal disciplinary action
     Suspension from duties
     Removal from volunteering
     Termination of contracts
     DBS referral (where applicable)
     Referral to the Local Authority Safeguarding Team
     Police involvement
     Serious Incident Reporting to the Charity Commission where required
17. Equality and Inclusion
    Safeguarding applies equally to everyone.
    Runners Media CIC is committed to ensuring that safeguarding is delivered without
    discrimination based on:
     Age
     Disability
     Race
     Religion or belief
     Sex
     Gender reassignment
     Sexual orientation
     Pregnancy and maternity
     Marriage and civil partnership
    We recognise that some people face additional barriers to reporting abuse and will make
    reasonable adjustments wherever possible.
18. Monitoring and Review
    The Directors will monitor safeguarding arrangements through:
     Incident reporting
     Risk assessments
     Training records
     Policy reviews
     Feedback from staff, volunteers and participants
    This policy will be reviewed every two years or sooner if legislation, guidance or
    organisational needs change.
19. Related Policies
    This policy should be read alongside:
     Code of Conduct
     Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy
     Health and Safety Policy
     Data Protection and Privacy Policy
     Volunteer Policy
     Complaints Policy
     Whistleblowing Policy
     Recruitment Policy
     Social Media Policy
20. Safeguarding Statement
    Runners Media CIC believes that safeguarding is fundamental to building safe, inclusive and
    trusted communities. Every individual who engages with our organisation deserves to be
    treated with dignity, respect and compassion.
    We are committed to maintaining a strong safeguarding culture in which concerns are
    listened to, acted upon appropriately and used to improve our practice, ensuring that everyone
    can participate safely in our activities.
    Approved By
    Rumana Afroze Rakhi – Director
    Runners Media CIC (Reg: 15283707)