Safeguarding Statement

Paramount to our operations is the safety and welfare of all our members, which is why it is the policy of the agency to ensure MTM’s operations are efficient, up-to-date, enjoyable and safe. The purpose of this policy statement is to protect children and young people from harm when represented by MTM. This policy statement also provides team members, as well as children and young people and their families with the overarching principles that inform our overall approach to child protection and safeguarding.

MTM believe that:

• We have an overall responsibility to promote the welfare of children and young people to ensure they are kept safe at all times
• Children and young people should never experience abuse of any kind

MTM recognises that:

• The welfare of children is of utmost priority in the work we carry out and the decisions we make
• All children, regardless of a protected characteristic have an equal right to protection from all types of harm or abuse
• Some children may be additionally vulnerable due to previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs, or other issues
• We must work closely with children, young people, their parents/guardians, government bodies, and other agencies to ensure we can promote young people’s welfare as best we can

MTM will seek to keep children and young people safe by:

• Valuing, listening to and respecting children and young people
• Appointing a nominated child protection lead for children and young people
• Adopting best practice in relation to child protection and safeguarding that is embedded within our policies and procedures and code of conduct for MTM team members
• Recruiting and selecting team members safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made including DBS checks
• Taking extra measures to record, store and use information and data professionally and securely in line with GDPR and compliant with ICO guidance
• Using our safeguarding and child protection procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know and act in the best interest of children and young people
• Using our procedures to manage any allegations against our children, young people, team members and representatives appropriately
• Creating and maintaining an anti-bullying environment and ensuring MTM have an up-to-date policy and procedure to help us deal effectively with any bullying that does arise
• Ensuring that we provide a safe space and physical environment for our children, young people and team members, by following HSE guidance and applying health and safety measures in accordance with law and regulatory guidance
• Ensuring the venues/premises that MTM operate in, and any equipment used is checked regularly for any defects or faults that exist or may have developed which might present hazards to MTM artists and team members
• Building a safeguarding culture where team members, children, and young people treat each other with respect and are comfortable with sharing concerns

For more information on our safeguarding practices, please refer to our full Safeguarding Policy, which can be requested by contacting: [email protected].