Safe Working Practices
Commissioning
Safeguarding requirements (below) are fully embedded from the planning stages of each project and are outlined by the BBC Commissioner during the initial compliance meeting. During the commissioning stage, the Commissioning Editor/Executive is responsible for ensuring that the Indie understands the expectations of the BBC and is able to implement and follow safeguarding best practice.
Procurement Vetting
The BBC has a ‘duty of care’ towards any child or adult with care or needs with whom it interacts, regardless of the nature of the interaction, as well as a responsibility to act in the person’s best interests, even if the risk lies externally to the BBC. All Independent Production Companies ('Indies') and Third Parties are subject to standard BBC vetting and procurement processes.
Safeguarding Assurance Visits
The BBC Safeguarding Team conduct assurance visits to site/set/location which allows observation and discussion in order to obtain sufficient and appropriate evidence that productions/events are complying with the BBC’s requirements to safeguard all children they engage.
Compliance
Adhering to safeguarding requirements is a mandatory component within the BBC Commissioning Specification. You must provide details at the earliest stage of how you will protect the welfare of any children (up to the age of 18 years old) that you engage to contribute to your project, in whatever form.
The BBC Safeguarding Team are available to attend compliance meetings in order to answer any questions you may have during the pre-production stage.
Please watch the short video below which outlines the BBC Safeguarding requirements for Indies.
Safeguarding Requirements Overview
- A Safeguarding Policy, with an identified owner and is regularly updated to reflect legislative changes/trends
- A Code of Conduct or document that outlines suitable behavioural best practice
- A named individual who will act as the 'SPOC' (Safeguarding Point of ) for the production
- Suitable safer recruitment procedures, including criminal records checks for those in close with children
- Completion of appropriate training in basic safeguarding principles for relevant staff/crew/cast
- A robust risk assessment that reflects actions taken to minimise risks to children and/or vulnerable adults
- Engagement of professional, licensed chaperones for all eligible children
- Suitable Child Performance Licence arrangements and ing documents
- Child-friendly facilities including separate toilets and relaxation areas
- Identified methods for reporting safeguarding concerns locally, plus a system for recording such concerns
- ive aftercare advice which informs children and/or vulnerable adults, plus their parents/carers, of the impact of contributing to BBC output, online concerns, any potential risks involved and what you have in place for them
A copy of the full 'Safeguarding Requirements' document, which includes links to helpful resources, is available below.
Safeguarding Awareness: Refresher Training
Watch the short video below to refresh your safeguarding knowledge before working with children.
Remind yourself of what safeguarding is, the risks for children and adults with care or needs, the four main types of abuse and how to get or raise a concern.
Knowledge Check
Check to see if you understand the key principles of safeguarding.
Select the accordion under each question to reveal the answer.
Answer: Children under the age of 18 and adults with care and needs. It is also important to safeguard yourself.
Answer: Report to your safeguarding point of (SPOC) or the BBC Safeguarding team.
Answer:
- Physical
- Emotional
- Sexual
- Neglect
Answer: Everyone, regardless of your role at the BBC we all have a duty of care to protect children and adults with care and needs from harm or abuse.
Case Management
Whilst Indies should ensure any concerns about children/adults with core or needs, or adults behaving inappropriately towards children, are reported to the BBC Safeguarding Team, it is the responsibility of the Indie to ensure appropriate steps are taken to manage any disclosures or concerns in the first instance.
Any potential harm caused to children should be reported to the relevant Local Authority and/or Police as a matter of urgency.
Dealing With Concerns
- Indies should have a clear protocol in place for managing concerns raised about children or adults with care or needs, as outlined in their safeguarding policy.
- The escalation route for all aspects of working with children and adults with care or needs on BBC output (including safeguarding concerns) is the Commissioning Editor. The Commissioning Editor will note your concern and it to the BBC Safeguarding Team for triage.
- Alternatively, you can report a concern via the button at the top of this page, or the BBC Safeguarding Team directly via email on [email protected]
- In an emergency, please follow standard procedures and dial 999. Follow instructions from the operator and once the situation is under control, inform your BBC Editor.
Monitoring & Assurance
The BBC Commissioning Executive and the BBC Safeguarding Team will seek assurance that the Indie is adequately safeguarding the welfare of any children & adults with care or needs involved in the production or project.
In order to do this, the BBC may review arrangements and facilities on a random basis by visiting productions and events either in person, or virtually. These visits will take into consideration adherence to the BBC Safeguarding Requirements (click below), with grades awarded for each section. An overall grade of 'Developing', 'Mature' or 'Advanced' will be awarded.
A written report of findings made available shortly afterwards to both the BBC Commissioner and the Indie.
Editorial Guidelines
When working with children and vulnerable adults as contributors, the following sections of BBC Editorial Guidelines apply:
The format and the child/young person related editorial aspects of a programme, including how the Indie will meet the Editorial Guidelines in relation to children and young people, should be fully discussed with the BBC Commissioning Executive in advance of commission (Editorial Policy may also be consulted). It is important that risk assessments concerning child/young person contributors take of the Editorial Guidelines.
