Code of Practice

1. Purpose and Scope

This Code of Practice sets out D’Cruze Agency’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of professional conduct and safeguarding when working with children under the age of 18. It applies to all employees, contractors, volunteers, and anyone representing D’Cruze Agency in any capacity.

2. Relevant Legislation and Guidance

* D’Cruze Agency adheres to UK laws and statutory guidance, including:
* The Children Act 1989 and 2004
* The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
* Working Together to Safeguard Children (Department for Education guidance)
* The Children (Performances and Activities) (England) Regulations 2014
* The Data Protection Act 2018 (including UK GDPR provisions) 

3. Professional Conduct

Integrity and Respect

* Treat all children, parents, guardians, and colleagues with dignity and respect.
* Avoid any behaviour or language that could be considered bullying, discriminatory, or inappropriate.
* Act in the Best Interests of Children
* Prioritise the welfare and safety of children in all activities.
* Seek guidance or report concerns immediately if unsure about safeguarding matters.

Confidentiality

* Handle all personal information with care and ensure it is shared only with authorised individuals in accordance with data protection laws. 

4. Recruitment, Training and Development

* Safer Recruitment
* All employees, contractors, and volunteers working with children must undergo an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before commencing work.
* At least two professional references must be obtained for any individual working with children.  
Training
* All staff must complete safeguarding training before working with children.
* Regular refresher training will be provided to ensure compliance with best practice and legal requirements. 

Code of Conduct Agreement

All staff, contractors, and volunteers must read, understand, and sign this Code of Practice.
Any breaches of this Code will be taken seriously and may result in disciplinary action, contract termination, or referral to the relevant authorities. 

5. Reporting Concerns and Allegations

Reporting Procedures

Any suspicions or allegations of abuse, whether within or outside D’Cruze Agency, must be reported immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
If the DSL is unavailable or implicated, staff must report directly to local authority children’s services or the police. 

Record-Keeping

Any concerns, disclosures, or safeguarding incidents must be accurately documented.
Records must be stored securely and only accessible to those who require them for safeguarding purposes. 

Whistleblowing

D’Cruze Agency encourages a culture of openness, where staff feel safe to raise concerns without fear of reprisal.
Anyone suspecting safeguarding failings, misconduct, or malpractice must report their concerns immediately. 

6. Compliance and Review

This Code of Practice will be reviewed annually or in response to legislative updates.
Staff are responsible for staying informed of updates and complying with the latest safeguarding policies.

Child Safeguarding Statement

D’Cruze Agency is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all children engaging with our services. We acknowledge our duty to protect children from harm, abuse, and exploitation in line with UK law and best practice safeguarding standards.

1. Our Commitment to Safeguarding

* We put children’s welfare at the heart of everything we do.
* We create a safe and trusted environment where children feel valued and protected. 

2. Legal Compliance

* Our safeguarding policies align with the Children Act 1989 and 2004, the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, and Working Together to Safeguard Children statutory guidance.

* When working with children in performance or modelling, we follow the Children (Performances and Activities) (England) Regulations 2014. 

3. Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

We have a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) responsible for implementing our safeguarding policies, handling concerns, and liaising with external agencies when necessary. 

4. Safer Recruitment

All individuals working with children undergo an enhanced DBS check before starting.
We follow safer recruitment procedures to prevent unsuitable individuals from working with children. 

5. Training and Awareness

All staff receive regular safeguarding training to ensure they recognise and respond to signs of abuse.
We promote a culture where safeguarding concerns can be openly discussed and addressed. 

6. Reporting and Responding to Concerns

Any suspicions, allegations, or disclosures of abuse will be taken seriously and acted upon immediately.
Concerns will be documented and escalated to the DSL, who will liaise with the local authority children’s services or the police where necessary.
We have clear procedures for managing allegations against staff and ensuring a fair and thorough investigation process. 

7. Confidentiality and Data Protection

Personal and sensitive information relating to children is handled with care in compliance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR.
Information is only shared with authorised individuals or agencies for safeguarding purposes. 

8. Review and Continuous Improvement

This Safeguarding Statement is reviewed annually or whenever significant legislative changes occur.
We welcome feedback from staff, children, and families to improve our safeguarding policies and practices.