Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy.

At MIM, the safety and wellbeing of the children and young people we work with is our highest priority.

We have clear procedures for preventing, recognising and responding to safeguarding concerns, and our crew are expected to understand and follow this policy.

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Our commitment

The Man In The Moon (MIM) is committed to creating a safe, positive and inclusive environment for all children and young people who take part in our workshops, productions, Day Camps and other activities.

We recognise our responsibility to safeguard and promote their welfare and to protect them from abuse, neglect, exploitation and other forms of harm.

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. If something concerns you, tell us. You do not need to be certain that something is wrong before raising a concern.

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Who this policy applies to​

This policy applies to all crew, volunteers, chaperones, visiting professionals, contractors and anyone else working on behalf of MIM.

Everyone has a responsibility to recognise and report safeguarding concerns, whatever their role.

Recognising a safeguarding concern

Concerns may relate to a child's:

• physical, emotional or sexual wellbeing;

• safety or behaviour;

• treatment by an adult;

• treatment by another child;

• online experiences; or

• home or wider circumstances.​

Safeguarding concerns can include abuse, neglect, bullying, child-on-child abuse, sexual harassment or violence, exploitation, grooming, domestic abuse, online harm, radicalisation and concerns involving drugs, alcohol, knives or other dangerous items.

A concern may come from something you see, something a child tells you, something another person tells you, or simply a feeling that something is not right.

If you are worried, report it.

Do not investigate the concern yourself.

If a child tells you something

If a child tells you something that raises a safeguarding concern:​

Do

• stay calm and listen;

• take them seriously;

• allow them to speak in their own words;

• reassure them that they have done the right thing by telling you;

• explain that you may need to tell someone who can help keep them safe;

• make a factual note of what was said as soon as possible; and

• report the concern to the DSL without delay.​

Do not​

• promise to keep it secret;

• ask leading questions;

• press the child for more information;

• confront the person they are talking about;

• investigate the situation yourself; or

• delay reporting the concern.

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Reporting a concern​

All safeguarding concerns should be reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) as soon as possible.​

Designated Safeguarding Lead

Paul Branch
07825 167317
info@themaninthemoon.co.uk

If the DSL is unavailable, or if you believe the concern needs immediate action, do not wait. Contact the appropriate external agency directly.

If the concern is about the DSL

If the concern relates to Paul Branch, it should not be reported to him.

Contact the relevant Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), children's social care or the police, depending on the nature and urgency of the concern.

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Children can harm other children

MIM recognises that children and young people can sometimes harm other children.

This may include bullying, physical violence, sexual harassment, sexual violence, sharing inappropriate images, intimidation, discriminatory behaviour or harmful behaviour online.

All such concerns will be taken seriously.

MIM will support the child who has experienced harm while also responding appropriately to the child whose behaviour has caused concern. Where necessary, we will seek advice from parents/carers, schools, children's social care, the police or other appropriate agencies.

Concerns about adults working with children

MIM takes any concern about an adult working with children seriously.

This includes crew, volunteers, chaperones, contractors and visiting professionals.

Concerns may include allegations that an adult:

• has harmed a child;

• may have committed an offence against or relating to a child;

• may pose a risk of harm to children; or

• has behaved in a way that falls below the professional standards expected by MIM.

Even concerns that appear relatively minor should be reported. A pattern of smaller concerns can sometimes indicate a more serious safeguarding issue.

The DSL will seek advice from the relevant LADO or other safeguarding agency where appropriate.

MIM will not investigate an allegation itself where doing so could interfere with an external safeguarding or police investigation.

Safer recruitment and professional boundaries

MIM uses appropriate safer recruitment arrangements for people working directly with children. Depending on the role, this may include identity checks, references, DBS checks and other suitability checks.

DBS checking is only one part of keeping children safe.

Our crew are expected to maintain appropriate professional boundaries with children at all times.

This includes:

• treating children with respect;

• communicating appropriately;

• avoiding unnecessary physical contact;

• avoiding favouritism or inappropriate relationships;

• using appropriate communication channels;

• following MIM's Code of Conduct, Mobile Phone Policy and Social Media Policy; and

• raising concerns about inappropriate behaviour.

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Photography, filming and online safety

Photography and filming involving children must follow MIM's agreed permissions and procedures.

Crew must not photograph, film or share images of children through personal social media accounts or personal messaging channels unless specifically authorised.

MIM also recognises that safeguarding concerns can arise online, including grooming, bullying, harassment, exploitation, inappropriate contact and the sharing of images.

Any concern connected with MIM activities should be reported to the DSL.

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Information sharing and confidentiality

Safeguarding information will be treated sensitively and shared appropriately.

However, confidentiality must not prevent information being shared when this is necessary to protect a child.

Information may need to be shared with children's social care, the police, healthcare professionals, schools, the LADO or other appropriate agencies.

Crew must never promise a child that something they tell them will be kept secret.

Safeguarding information will be recorded and stored securely, with access limited to those who need it.

MIM will follow current statutory information-sharing guidance.

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Recording concerns

Safeguarding concerns should be recorded as soon as possible.

Records should be factual and should include, where relevant:

• what was seen or said;

• the child's own words where possible;

• the date, time and location;

• who was involved;

• what action was taken;

• who the concern was reported to; and

• any further action required.

Do not include speculation or personal opinions.

Safeguarding records will be stored securely and separately from general administrative records.

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If a child is in immediate danger

If you believe a child is in immediate danger or at immediate risk of harm, call 999.

Do not wait for the DSL if doing so could place the child at further risk.

Tell the DSL as soon as it is safe to do so.

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Reporting a concern outside MIM

Anyone can contact children's social care directly if they are worried about a child. You do not have to wait for the DSL if you believe a concern needs to be reported.

Surrey

Children's Single Point of Access (C-SPA)
0300 470 9100
cspa@surreycc.gov.uk

For concerns that cannot wait until the next working day, Surrey's Emergency Duty Team can be contacted on 01483 517898.

For an emergency, call 999.

West Sussex

Children's Social Care / Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)
01403 229900
MASH@westsussex.gov.uk

Out of hours: 0330 222 6664

For an emergency, call 999.

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Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)

Where a concern relates to an adult working with children, MIM will seek advice from the relevant LADO and follow the procedures of the relevant local authority.

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Training and review

MIM expects crew working with children to understand their safeguarding responsibilities.

Crew should know:

• who the DSL is;

• how to report a concern;

• what to do if a child tells them something;

• what to do if they have a concern about another adult;

• where safeguarding records are kept; and

• what to do in an emergency.

Safeguarding information and training will be appropriate to each person's role.

This policy will be reviewed at least annually, and sooner if legislation, guidance, local arrangements or MIM's activities change, or if an incident identifies something that needs to be improved.

MIM will take account of relevant current safeguarding guidance, including Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026 and current information-sharing guidance.

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Policy information

Organisation: The Man In The Moon
Approved: 29 September 2026
Reviewed: 29 September 2026
Next review: 29 September 2027
Version: 1.1