Safeguarding Policy

Last reviewed: 19th March 2026
Next review: 1 Jan 2027

Policy Owner: Samuel James Davies, Managing Director, Atlas Media Limited
Contact: sam@atlas.film

1. Policy Statement

Atlas Media Limited is committed to protecting the wellbeing of everyone involved in our work, including employees, freelancers, contributors, visitors, and members of the public. This includes children (under 18) and adults who may be at risk. We promote a culture where concerns are encouraged, taken seriously, and addressed promptly and appropriately.

2. Scope

This policy applies across all areas of our operations, including office environments, on-location filming, studio work, post-production, live events, and remote working.

It covers all individuals engaged with Atlas Media Limited, including staff, freelancers, contractors, contributors, participants, and visitors.

3. Principles

Our safeguarding approach is guided by the following principles:

Prevention of harm: We plan and deliver work in a way that minimises risk and pause activity if safety is uncertain.
Proportionate action: Safeguards are applied based on the level and nature of risk.
Respect and inclusion: Everyone is treated with dignity, with reasonable adjustments made where required.
Responsibility: Concerns and incidents are recorded, reported, and used to improve practice.
Confidentiality: Information is only shared with those who need to know.

4. Roles and Responsibilities

Managing Director (Safeguarding Lead): Holds overall accountability for safeguarding, including oversight, training, resourcing, and liaison with relevant authorities.
Producers and Project Leads: Ensure safeguarding is embedded into all stages of production, including planning, casting, locations, permissions, and on-the-day management.
All team members: Must follow this policy, challenge unsafe or inappropriate behaviour, and report concerns without delay.
Partners and third parties: Are expected to meet equivalent safeguarding standards, sharing policies and risk assessments where appropriate.

5. Safe Working Standards

Atlas Media Limited maintains the following working practices:

Professional boundaries are maintained at all times; one-to-one situations in private or closed settings are avoided.
Communication with under-18s or adults at risk is conducted through official company channels only.
Appropriate consent is obtained before capturing or using images, audio, or personal data.
Locations and activities are assessed for safeguarding and privacy risks.
Suitable supervision arrangements are in place when working with minors, in line with site or venue requirements.

6. Recognising Concerns

Safeguarding concerns may include physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, neglect, exploitation, bullying, or online harm.

Adults at risk may also experience financial, psychological, or domestic abuse.

Potential indicators include unexplained injuries, sudden behavioural changes, signs of distress or fear, disclosures of harm, coercion, or inadequate supervision.

7. Reporting a Concern (Internal Process)

Listen carefully and take concerns seriously; do not promise confidentiality.
Record accurate details, including dates, times, and those present, using the individual’s own words where possible.
Report immediately to the Safeguarding Lead (Managing Director) or the most senior person available.
In urgent situations where there is immediate risk, contact emergency services (999) first, then inform the Safeguarding Lead.

Where necessary, Atlas Media Limited will escalate concerns to appropriate external bodies, such as schools, local authorities, or the police, and will fully cooperate with any investigation.

8. Information Sharing and Record Keeping

All safeguarding information is handled securely and only shared on a need-to-know basis.

Records are stored in controlled systems and retained in accordance with our data retention procedures, in line with UK data protection requirements.

9. Training and Review

All staff and freelancers receive guidance on safeguarding expectations and reporting procedures.

Additional briefings are provided on productions involving children or adults at risk.

This policy is reviewed annually, or sooner if required by changes in operations or legislation.

Appendix A - Work Experience (Under 18s)

This section applies when Atlas Media Limited hosts individuals under the age of 18, such as school placements.

Supervision and Boundaries

A minimum of two responsible adults will be present; students are not left unsupervised in one-to-one situations.
Activities take place in open, visible environments wherever possible.
Communication is conducted through official company channels only.

Activities

Tasks are appropriate to the student’s age and experience, primarily observational in nature.
Students will not be involved in hazardous activities, including use of heavy equipment, live electrical work, working at height, or manual handling of heavy items.
Any off-site activity requires a dynamic risk assessment and a designated supervisor.

Induction

On their first day, students receive an introduction covering:

Expected behaviour and conduct
How to raise a concern
Health and safety procedures (including fire, first aid, and welfare)
Confidentiality and social media guidelines

Consent and Data

Permission from a parent or guardian is required before publishing any identifiable content involving the student.
Students must not share or publish production-related content without prior written approval.

Escalation Procedures

Concerns are reported to the Safeguarding Lead and the relevant school’s safeguarding contact.
Allegations involving an adult are escalated through appropriate safeguarding channels.
Emergencies should be reported to 999 immediately.

Attendance and Hours

Standard placement hours are typically 09:00–17:00, with appropriate breaks and flexibility where needed.
Travel arrangements are the responsibility of the parent or guardian unless otherwise agreed.

Safeguarding policy

1. Policy Statement

​

2. Scope

This policy applies across all areas of our operations, including office environments, on-location filming, studio work, post-production, live events, and remote working.

It covers all individuals engaged with Atlas Media Limited, including staff, freelancers, contractors, contributors, participants, and visitors.

​

3. Principles

Our safeguarding approach is guided by the following principles:

Prevention of harm: We plan and deliver work in a way that minimises risk and pause activity if safety is uncertain.

Proportionate action: Safeguards are applied based on the level and nature of risk.

Respect and inclusion: Everyone is treated with dignity, with reasonable adjustments made where required.

Responsibility: Concerns and incidents are recorded, reported, and used to improve practice.

Confidentiality: Information is only shared with those who need to know.

4. Roles and Responsibilities

Managing Director (Safeguarding Lead): Holds overall accountability for safeguarding, including oversight, training, resourcing, and liaison with relevant authorities.

Producers and Project Leads: Ensure safeguarding is embedded into all stages of production, including planning, casting, locations, permissions, and on-the-day management.

All team members: Must follow this policy, challenge unsafe or inappropriate behaviour, and report concerns without delay.

Partners and third parties: Are expected to meet equivalent safeguarding standards, sharing policies and risk assessments where appropriate.

5. Safe Working Standards

Atlas Media Limited maintains the following working practices:

Professional boundaries are maintained at all times; one-to-one situations in private or closed settings are avoided.

Communication with under-18s or adults at risk is conducted through official company channels only.

Appropriate consent is obtained before capturing or using images, audio, or personal data.

Locations and activities are assessed for safeguarding and privacy risks.

Suitable supervision arrangements are in place when working with minors, in line with site or venue requirements.

6. Recognising Concerns

Safeguarding concerns may include physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, neglect, exploitation, bullying, or online harm.

Adults at risk may also experience financial, psychological, or domestic abuse.

Potential indicators include unexplained injuries, sudden behavioural changes, signs of distress or fear, disclosures of harm, coercion, or inadequate supervision.

​

7. Reporting a Concern (Internal Process)

Listen carefully and take concerns seriously; do not promise confidentiality.

Record accurate details, including dates, times, and those present, using the individual’s own words where possible.

Report immediately to the Safeguarding Lead (Managing Director) or the most senior person available.

In urgent situations where there is immediate risk, contact emergency services (999) first, then inform the Safeguarding Lead.

Where necessary, Atlas Media Limited will escalate concerns to appropriate external bodies, such as schools, local authorities, or the police, and will fully cooperate with any investigation.

​

8. Information Sharing and Record Keeping

All safeguarding information is handled securely and only shared on a need-to-know basis.

Records are stored in controlled systems and retained in accordance with our data retention procedures, in line with UK data protection requirements.

​

9. Training and Review

All staff and freelancers receive guidance on safeguarding expectations and reporting procedures.

Additional briefings are provided on productions involving children or adults at risk.

This policy is reviewed annually, or sooner if required by changes in operations or legislation.

​

Appendix A - Work Experience (Under 18s)

This section applies when Atlas Media Limited hosts individuals under the age of 18, such as school placements.

​

Supervision and Boundaries

A minimum of two responsible adults will be present; students are not left unsupervised in one-to-one situations.

Activities take place in open, visible environments wherever possible.

Communication is conducted through official company channels only.

​

Activities

Tasks are appropriate to the student’s age and experience, primarily observational in nature.

Students will not be involved in hazardous activities, including use of heavy equipment, live electrical work, working at height, or manual handling of heavy items.

Any off-site activity requires a dynamic risk assessment and a designated supervisor.

​

Induction

On their first day, students receive an introduction covering:

Expected behaviour and conduct

How to raise a concern

Health and safety procedures (including fire, first aid, and welfare)

Confidentiality and social media guidelines

Consent and Data

Permission from a parent or guardian is required before publishing any identifiable content involving the student.

Students must not share or publish production-related content without prior written approval.

Escalation Procedures

Concerns are reported to the Safeguarding Lead and the relevant school’s safeguarding contact.

Allegations involving an adult are escalated through appropriate safeguarding channels.

Emergencies should be reported to 999 immediately.

Attendance and Hours

Standard placement hours are typically 09:00–17:00, with appropriate breaks and flexibility where needed.

Travel arrangements are the responsibility of the parent or guardian unless otherwise agreed.