Child Protection Policy


The purpose and scope of this policy statement

Playground Portraits works with children as part of its activities. These include:

  • Schools photography

  • Commercial photography, providing headshots and marketing images for schools

 The purpose of this policy statement is to protect children and young people who receive Playground Portraits ’s services, and to provide parents and staff with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection. This policy statement applies to anyone working on behalf of Playground Portraits.

Legal framework

This policy has been drawn up on the basis of legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children in England. A summary of the key legislation and guidance is available from nspcc.org.uk/

We believe that:

  • children and young people should never experience abuse of any kind

  • we have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people, to keep them safe and to practise in a way that protects them.

We recognise that:

  • the welfare of the child is paramount

  • all children, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation have a right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse

  • some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues

  • working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare.

We will seek to keep children and young people safe by:

  •  valuing, listening to and respecting them

  • appointing a child protection/safeguarding lead : Ellie Cotton

  • developing child protection and safeguarding policies and procedures which reflect best practice

  • using our safeguarding procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know, and involving children, young people, parents, families and carers appropriately

  •  using our procedures to manage any allegations against staff appropriately

  • ensuring that we provide a safe physical environment for our children, young people, staff and volunteers, by applying health and safety measures in accordance with the law and regulatory guidance

  • recording and storing information professionally and securely.

Related policies and procedures

This policy statement should be read alongside our organisational policies and procedures, including our Privacy Policy and Photography and image sharing guidance

Contact details & DBS information

Nominated child protection lead = Name: Ellie Cotton, telephone 07900 886959, email adddress ellie@playgroundportraits.co.uk

Note that I am DBS checked under the name Elinor Lewis, certificate number 000913463407, issued on 11 November 2018.

We are committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually.

This policy was last reviewed on 01 February 2023