Safeguarding Policy

Policy Statement – July 2025

Safeguarding is a core responsibility at Runners Media CIC. As a community media organisation engaging with people of all ages and backgrounds, we are committed to ensuring the safety, dignity, and wellbeing of every individual we work with—especially children, young people, and adults at risk. This commitment is guided by our organisational values and embedded in everything we do, from project planning and content creation to volunteer management and public engagement.

Our Values That Guide Safeguarding:

• Respectful – We treat everyone with dignity and fairness.
• Inclusive – We actively embrace diversity and challenge discrimination.
• Empowering – We give voice to those often unheard and support people to tell their own stories.
• Accountable – We operate transparently, learning from each safeguarding concern or incident.
• Collaborative – We work with partners and communities to strengthen our safeguarding culture.
• Impact-Driven – We ensure our work makes a real difference, including in safeguarding practice.

Guiding Principles

Everyone’s Responsibility

Every team member—whether staff, volunteer, or contributor—has a duty to protect children and adults at risk from harm, abuse, or exploitation. Safeguarding is not the role of one person—it is a shared responsibility.

Prevention

We take steps to prevent harm by:

• Following safe recruitment practices, including DBS checks where appropriate.
• Providing safeguarding training and awareness to all staff and volunteers.
• Creating clear codes of conduct, safeguarding risk assessments, and safe working protocols, especially for filming in community or public settings.

Protection

Runners Media CIC provides clear safeguarding policies, procedures, and reporting pathways. All staff and volunteers are expected to:

• Recognise signs of abuse or neglect.
• Report concerns immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO).
• Maintain confidentiality and document concerns accurately.

Empowerment

We believe safeguarding must be person-centred. We promote choice, dignity, and rights in all interactions. Participants in our projects or videos must give informed consent and have the right to withdraw it at any time.

Partnership

We collaborate with local authorities, police, schools, charities, and safeguarding boards to ensure effective protection for those at risk. We will escalate concerns when needed and cooperate with investigations or inquiries.

Accountability

We are committed to transparency in our safeguarding approach. We monitor, review, and improve our policies regularly, responding to incidents and feedback to reduce risk and enhance safety.

Roles and Responsibilities

All Staff and Volunteers

• Complete safeguarding training upon joining.
• Know how to report safeguarding concerns.
• Follow our safeguarding procedures and uphold the values of the policy.

Trustees

Trustees have ultimate responsibility for safeguarding in the organisation. They approve this policy and monitor compliance, ensuring the charity meets its duty of care and legal obligations.

Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO)

• Leading safeguarding awareness and training.
• Receiving and responding to safeguarding reports.
• Liaising with statutory bodies and external safeguarding professionals.
• Keeping accurate records of safeguarding cases and outcomes.

Roles and Responsibilities

All Staff and Volunteers

• Complete safeguarding training upon joining.
• Know how to report safeguarding concerns.
• Follow our safeguarding procedures and uphold the values of the policy.

Trustees

Trustees have ultimate responsibility for safeguarding in the organisation. They approve this policy and monitor compliance, ensuring the charity meets its duty of care and legal obligations.

Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO)

• Leading safeguarding awareness and training.
• Receiving and responding to safeguarding reports.
• Liaising with statutory bodies and external safeguarding professionals.
• Keeping accurate records of safeguarding cases and outcomes.

Breaches of Policy

• Internal disciplinary action
• Suspension or removal from role
• Referral to local safeguarding authorities
• Police involvement or DBS referral
• Serious incident reporting to the Charity Commission
• Review by external safeguarding professionals

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Equality and Safeguarding Statement

Runners Media CIC values equality and diversity and works to ensure that all people— regardless of their age, gender, ethnicity, ability, religion, or background—feel safe, respected, and empowered in their interactions with us. Safeguarding is a right for everyone, and we ensure that our work does not put people at risk of harm.