S A F E G U A R D I N G
Our Beliefs
Artists in Exile believes that no one should ever experience abuse or exploitation of any kind, and that everyone has the right to be kept safe from harm, exploitation and abuse. All members of our group have a responsibility to promote the welfare of any children, young person or vulnerable adult/adult at risk that we are sponsoring and to keep them safe. We are committed to work in a way that protects them. We recognise that:
• Everyone, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity, has a right to equal protection from all types of harm, exploitation, and abuse.
•Some of the people we work with or come into contact with may be in more vulnerable circumstances and less able to protect themselves, because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency on others, physical or mental ill health, communication needs or because they are children.
Power and Positions of Trust
All adults working with vulnerable people are in positions of trust in relation to the people they serve. It is vital for all those in positions of trust to understand the power this can give them over those they serve and the responsibility they must exercise as a consequence of this contact.
A relationship between an adult and vulnerable people cannot be a relationship between equals. There is potential for exploitation and harm of vulnerable people. Adults have a responsibility to ensure that an unequal balance of power is not used for personal advantage or gratification.
All adults who have contact with, and on behalf of vulnerable people are accountable for the way in which they exercise authority; manage risk; use resources; and safeguard children and young people.
Our Responsibilities
• To contribute to the establishment of a safe and resilient and robust ethos in the group, built on mutual respect, and shared values.
• To implement robust and deliverable safeguarding and protection policies and procedures.
• To work in partnership with other agencies who have expertise in working with vulnerable people, children and refugees.
• To value, listen to and respect those we work with.
• To recruit artists and hosts safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made to assess their suitability.
• To ensure all parties are made aware of this policy and have access to appropriate training to understand their responsibilities.
• To have effective procedures in place for responding to safeguarding concerns and designated staff to respond to them.
Responding to Safeguarding Concerns
A safeguarding concern is any worry or concern about the safety or well-being of a person because of something seen or heard, or information which has been received.
At Artists in Exile we will:
• Act quickly and appropriately when a safeguarding concern is reported to us.
• Treat all safeguarding concerns in a professional, confidential and sensitive way.
• Always act in the best interests of people, respecting and involving them, giving them a choice over decision making which impacts them, unless they lack the capacity to do so or it would put them at serious risk of harm, exploitation, abuse or neglect.
• Provide people with safe and appropriate advice, signposting and referring them to services that meet their needs.
• Work in partnership with other organisations, including statutory services like the police and social care to make sure people get the help they need.
• Refer concerns where a child or adult at risk has been or is at significant risk of harm, exploitation, abuse and neglect to local authority social care or the police.
• Protect confidential information except where the wider duty of care or the public interest might justify making it known.