Safeguarding Policy

1. Our safeguarding commitment

Gorleston Pavilion Trust Ltd and Gorleston Pavilion Theatre Ltd are committed to protecting everyone who comes into contact with our work, particularly children, young people and adults at risk. Their welfare is our primary concern.

We do not tolerate abuse, neglect, exploitation, harassment, bullying or discrimination. We listen to concerns, take them seriously and act without avoidable delay.

2. Scope and responsibility

This policy applies to trustees, directors, employees, volunteers, performers, contractors and partners working on our behalf, including activity in the theatre, online, on tour or at another venue.

Trustees and directors retain overall responsibility. Managers must ensure that relevant people understand this policy, receive suitable guidance or training and know how to report a concern.

3. How we put safeguarding into practice

• We assess safeguarding risks when planning activities.
• We recruit responsibly and obtain references and appropriate DBS checks for eligible roles.
• We set clear expectations for conduct, supervision, communications, transport, photography and online contact.
• We seek appropriate consent and emergency information for organised participation by children or adults at risk.
• We share confidential information only where necessary to protect a person or meet a legal responsibility.
• We require partners running activities on our behalf to have suitable safeguarding arrangements.

4. Reporting a concern

If someone is in immediate danger, call 999. Do not put yourself or another person at further risk.

Otherwise, tell the person leading the activity or a Pavilion manager as soon as possible. You can also email admin@pavtheatre.com with “Safeguarding concern” in the subject, telephone 01493 662841, or write to Pavilion Theatre, Pier Gardens, Gorleston, Norfolk NR31 6PP.

Record what you saw, heard or were told using the person’s own words. Do not investigate, promise secrecy or confront the person who may have caused harm. Preserve relevant messages or other evidence.

5. What happens after a report?

We take immediate steps to reduce risk, listen to the person affected and make a factual record. The safeguarding lead or responsible senior person decides what must be referred to children’s or adult social care, the police, the DBS, the Charity Commission or another relevant body. We do not delay a necessary external referral while carrying out an internal process.

Allegations about a worker or volunteer are handled fairly while prioritising safety. Interim measures are neutral safeguards and do not determine the outcome of an investigation.

6. Records, privacy and support

Safeguarding records are accurate, dated, stored securely and accessible only to people who need them. Information may be shared without consent where this is necessary and proportionate to prevent harm or meet a legal duty. Our privacy notice explains data-protection rights, subject to safeguarding and legal exemptions.

7. Review and concerns about our response

We review safeguarding arrangements at least annually and after a serious incident or material change. A concern about how we handled a report can be raised through our complaints policy, but urgent safety concerns should always go directly to the appropriate statutory agency.