Safeguarding Policy
Last updated: 05 August 2026
Our commitment
Spatula Studio creates films, photography, events, workshops and collaborative projects with people and communities.
Everyone involved in our work has the right to feel safe, respected, listened to and able to make informed choices about their participation.
We are committed to protecting children, young people and adults at risk from abuse, neglect, exploitation, harassment and avoidable harm. Safeguarding is considered throughout how we plan, create, collaborate, record, publish and share our work.
This policy applies to anyone working on behalf of Spatula, including directors, employees, freelancers, contractors, volunteers and collaborators.
Our approach to safeguarding
We aim to create working and creative environments where people are treated with dignity, care and respect.
We will clearly explain what an activity involves, seek appropriate consent and make space for people to ask questions, express concerns or choose not to take part.
We will not pressure anyone to share personal or traumatic experiences. The wellbeing of a participant will always take priority over completing a film, photograph, event or other creative outcome.
Safeguarding needs will be considered when each project is planned. Additional arrangements may be put in place depending on the people involved, the subject matter, the location and the nature of the activity.
Consent and participation
Consent should be informed, specific and freely given.
We will explain why material is being created, how it may be used, where it may appear and whether someone will be publicly identifiable.
Consent to participate in an event or project is separate from consent to be photographed, filmed, interviewed or publicly identified.
People may ask questions, decline part of an activity or change their mind without being treated unfairly. Where something has already been published or shared with another organisation, complete removal may not always be possible. Any limits to withdrawing consent will be explained clearly.
We will consider communication and access needs so that people can understand what they are agreeing to.
Photography, filming and personal stories
Images and personal stories can create particular safeguarding risks. These may include unwanted identification, the disclosure of someone’s location, online harassment, loss of privacy or material being separated from its original context.
Before recording or publishing sensitive material, we will consider the purpose of the work, its likely audience and whether sharing it could expose someone to harm.
Names, locations and other identifying information may be withheld where appropriate.
Particular care will be taken when work involves protest, discrimination, migration, health, trauma, abuse or other sensitive experiences.
We will not knowingly publish material that humiliates, exploits or unnecessarily places a participant at risk.
Children and young people
A child or young person is anyone under the age of 18.
Any work involving children or young people will be planned according to their age, understanding, needs and welfare.
Where appropriate, permission will be obtained from a parent, carer, school or responsible organisation. The child or young person’s own agreement will also be sought.
A child or young person will not be expected to continue participating or being recorded simply because an adult has previously given permission.
Activities will normally take place in suitable and observable environments. Unnecessary one-to-one contact will be avoided, and a parent, carer, teacher, youth worker or other responsible adult should be present or readily available where appropriate.
Private communication with children through personal social-media accounts will not be used.
Where a role is legally eligible for a Disclosure and Barring Service check, the appropriate check will be obtained. A DBS check does not replace safe working practices, appropriate supervision or risk assessment.
Adults at risk
An adult at risk is someone aged 18 or over who has care or support needs, is experiencing or at risk of abuse or neglect, and may be unable to protect themselves because of those needs.
We recognise that people may also experience increased vulnerability because of their circumstances, communication needs or the subject matter of a project.
Where additional support may be needed, we will discuss appropriate arrangements with the person and, where relevant, their carer, support worker or partner organisation.
People will be involved in decisions affecting them wherever it is safe and possible to do so.
Working with partners and collaborators
Where Spatula works with a school, charity, community organisation, festival, venue or other partner, safeguarding responsibilities will be discussed before the activity begins.
A partner organisation’s safeguarding procedures may take the lead where it has direct or statutory responsibility for participants. Spatula will still report concerns it observes and will not assume another organisation has taken action unless this has been confirmed.
Freelancers, volunteers and collaborators are expected to follow this policy, maintain professional boundaries and report concerns promptly.
Depending on the activity, contributors may receive a safeguarding briefing or be asked to follow additional project-specific procedures.
Expected behaviour
Anyone representing Spatula must behave respectfully and professionally.
They must maintain appropriate personal, physical and emotional boundaries and must never use their role to intimidate, manipulate, harass or exploit another person.
Sexualised communication or behaviour involving a child is never acceptable.
Anyone working on behalf of Spatula must report safeguarding concerns and cooperate with any safeguarding process.
Spatula may pause or end someone’s involvement while a concern about their conduct is considered.
Responding to a concern
A safeguarding concern may arise through something a person tells us, something we observe, information received from another person or concerns about someone’s conduct.
When a concern is raised, we will listen calmly and take it seriously. We will not ask leading questions or attempt to investigate the situation ourselves.
Relevant information will be recorded as accurately as possible and passed to the appropriate safeguarding lead, partner organisation, local authority service or police.
We cannot promise complete confidentiality where someone may be at risk. Information will only be shared where it is necessary and proportionate to help protect someone from harm.
A concern does not need to be proven before it is reported.
If someone is in immediate danger or a crime is taking place, call 999.
Reporting a concern
Safeguarding concerns connected to Spatula’s work should be reported to:
Ollie Ley
Safeguarding Lead
If a concern relates to the safeguarding lead, it should be reported directly to the safeguarding lead at the relevant partner organisation, the appropriate local-authority safeguarding service or the police.
Where possible, please provide a clear description of the concern, who was involved, when it occurred and whether any immediate action has already been taken.
Recording and privacy
Safeguarding records will be factual, relevant and stored securely.
Access will be limited to people who need the information to respond appropriately. Information may be shared with safeguarding services, the police or another responsible organisation where this is necessary to protect someone or fulfil a legal responsibility.
Safeguarding information will be handled in accordance with our data-protection responsibilities, but privacy will not prevent necessary action from being taken where someone may be at risk.
Responsibility and review
Ollie Ley is currently Spatula’s designated safeguarding lead and is responsible for overseeing this policy.
Safeguarding arrangements will continue to develop alongside Spatula’s work. Relevant training, risk assessments, consent procedures and project-specific measures will be introduced where appropriate.
This policy will be reviewed annually, following a safeguarding concern, when Spatula’s activities change significantly or when relevant guidance changes.