Safeguarding Policy
Sawtooth Studios Ltd (trading as The Still Room)
Version: March 2026 v2
Effective date: March 2026
Next review date: March 2027
Designated Safeguarding Lead
Name: Jacqueline Silver
Safeguarding email: safeguarding@thestillroom-norwich.co.uk
Telephone: 01603 517 717
If someone is in immediate danger, call 999 before contacting the DSL.
Address
Venue: The Still Room, Suite 9D, Keswick Hall, Keswick, Norwich, NR4 6TJ
Introduction
The Still Room is operated by Sawtooth Studios Ltd and located at Suite 9D, Keswick Hall, Keswick, Norwich NR4 6TJ.
The activities delivered by Sawtooth Studios Ltd are primarily intended for adults. Where activities involving children or young people take place through external hirers, those organisations are responsible for their own safeguarding arrangements.
Sawtooth Studios Ltd is committed to safeguarding the wellbeing, dignity and rights of all adults participating in activities connected with The Still Room.
Although activities taking place at The Still Room are not specifically targeted at vulnerable adults, it is recognised that some participants may have care and support needs that place them at greater risk of abuse or neglect. Sawtooth Studios Ltd therefore adopts a zero-tolerance approach to abuse in all forms.
This policy explains how safeguarding concerns will be recognised, responded to and reported. The policy reflects responsibilities under the Care Act 2014 and the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and follows guidance issued by the Norfolk Safeguarding Adults Board.
Safeguarding forms part of Sawtooth Studios Ltd’s commitment to maintaining a safe, respectful and inclusive environment for everyone using The Still Room.
Scope of the Policy
This policy applies to activities delivered directly by Sawtooth Studios Ltd at The Still Room.
It applies to:
- directors and officers of Sawtooth Studios Ltd
- administrative and operational staff
- freelance artists, educators and facilitators engaged by the company
- volunteers working under the direction of the company
- participants attending activities organised by Sawtooth Studios Ltd
All staff and freelancers involved in activities delivered by Sawtooth Studios Ltd are expected to read and comply with this policy, undertake appropriate safeguarding training, and report safeguarding concerns without delay.
Activities delivered by external hirers are governed by the safeguarding arrangements of the organiser responsible for that activity.
Safeguarding Responsibilities of Hirers
Where The Still Room is hired by external organisations or individuals, the hirer remains responsible for safeguarding arrangements relating to their activity and participants.
This includes responsibility for:
- appropriate supervision of participants
- safeguarding procedures relevant to the activity
- safeguarding training where required
- DBS checks where legally required
- risk assessments relating to the activity
Sawtooth Studios Ltd does not supervise activities delivered by external hirers and does not assume safeguarding responsibility for participants attending those activities unless the activity is delivered directly by Sawtooth Studios Ltd.
Hirers must ensure that any activity involving children, young people or vulnerable adults complies with relevant safeguarding legislation and guidance.
Sawtooth Studios Ltd reserves the right to request evidence of safeguarding policies or procedures where activities involve higher safeguarding risk.
Safeguarding Principles
Sawtooth Studios Ltd follows the safeguarding principles established in the Care Act 2014.
- Empowerment – supporting individuals to make their own decisions
- Prevention – acting before harm occurs
- Proportionality – responding appropriately to the level of risk
- Protection – supporting those most at risk
- Partnership – working with relevant services where necessary
- Accountability – ensuring safeguarding responsibilities are clear
Safeguarding is regarded as the responsibility of everyone involved in activities connected with The Still Room.
Definitions
Adult at risk
An adult aged 18 or over who has care and support needs and may be unable to protect themselves from abuse or neglect.
This may include individuals experiencing:
- learning disabilities
- mental ill health
- physical impairment
- domestic abuse or coercive control
- homelessness
- substance misuse
- trauma or exploitation
Safeguarding
Safeguarding means protecting an individual’s right to live safely and free from abuse or neglect. It includes identifying risks, responding appropriately to concerns, and involving individuals in decisions affecting their wellbeing in accordance with the principle of Making Safeguarding Personal.
Abuse
Abuse may include but is not limited to:
- physical abuse
- sexual abuse
- emotional or psychological abuse
- financial or material abuse
- discriminatory abuse
- organisational abuse
- neglect or acts of omission
- self-neglect
- domestic abuse
Organisational Commitment
Sawtooth Studios Ltd will:
- appoint and support a Designated Safeguarding Lead
- promote safe, inclusive and respectful environments
- ensure safeguarding procedures are clear and accessible
- maintain secure safeguarding records
- cooperate fully with statutory safeguarding authorities where required
- review safeguarding practice regularly
Roles and Responsibilities
Designated Safeguarding Lead
The Designated Safeguarding Lead for The Still Room is Jacqueline Silver.
The DSL is responsible for:
- receiving safeguarding concerns and disclosures
- assessing risk and determining appropriate action
- liaising with statutory services where necessary
- maintaining safeguarding records
- reviewing safeguarding practice annually
Staff and Freelancers
Staff and freelancers involved in activities delivered by Sawtooth Studios Ltd must:
- undertake safeguarding training where appropriate
- recognise indicators of abuse or neglect
- maintain appropriate professional boundaries
- create safe and respectful working environments
- report safeguarding concerns immediately
- maintain appropriate confidentiality when handling sensitive information
DBS and Safeguarding Checks
Where activities involve working with vulnerable adults or individuals under the age of 18, the organiser of the activity is responsible for ensuring that appropriate safeguarding checks, including DBS checks where legally required, are in place for those delivering the activity.
Freelancers engaged by Sawtooth Studios Ltd to deliver such activities must hold an appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check where legally required, together with relevant safeguarding training and insurance.
Mental Capacity and Consent
Adults have the right to make their own decisions unless it is established that they lack the capacity to do so.
The Mental Capacity Act 2005 provides the legal framework for assessing capacity and making decisions in a person’s best interests.
Consent should normally be sought before sharing safeguarding information unless doing so would place the individual or others at risk of harm.
Identifying Safeguarding Concerns
Safeguarding concerns may arise through:
- direct disclosure
- observed behaviour or distress
- visible injuries or signs of neglect
- information shared by others
- communication online or in person
Indicators of abuse may be subtle. Staff and facilitators should use professional judgement and err on the side of caution when concerns arise.
Reporting Process
Safeguarding concerns must be reported without delay.
If someone is in immediate danger or requires urgent assistance, call 999.
Once the immediate situation is safe, the Designated Safeguarding Lead must be informed as soon as possible.
Where there is no immediate danger, the concern should be recorded including:
- date and time
- location
- observations or statements made
- names of individuals involved where known
The concern should then be reported to the DSL using the safeguarding contact details provided in this policy.
If the DSL is unavailable and there is risk of delay, Norfolk County Council Adult Social Services should be contacted directly.
Norfolk County Council Adult Social Services: 0344 800 8020 (24 hours) | www.norfolk.gov.uk
If the safeguarding concern relates to the Designated Safeguarding Lead, the concern should be reported directly to Norfolk County Council Adult Social Services.
Record Keeping
Safeguarding concerns will be recorded by the DSL and stored securely with restricted access.
Records will normally be retained for six years following the closure of the safeguarding case and may be shared with statutory authorities where required by law.
Safer Working Environment
Staff and freelancers involved in activities delivered by Sawtooth Studios Ltd are expected to maintain appropriate professional boundaries, use inclusive and respectful language, avoid unnecessary one-to-one situations without appropriate safeguards, and report any safeguarding or conduct concerns immediately.
Personal contact details should not normally be shared with participants outside agreed professional communication channels.
Prevent Duty and Online Safety
Sawtooth Studios Ltd promotes inclusive and respectful environments. Staff and facilitators should report concerns relating to radicalisation, hate speech or online harm where these arise. Appropriate conduct must be maintained in both in-person and digital interactions.
Safeguarding Adults Reviews
In accordance with Section 44 of the Care Act 2014, safeguarding authorities may conduct a Safeguarding Adults Review where an adult with care and support needs has experienced serious harm or death and abuse or neglect is suspected.
Sawtooth Studios Ltd will cooperate fully with any review process.
Policy Review
This policy will be reviewed annually, following any safeguarding incident, or where legislative or organisational changes require it.
Contact
Safeguarding concerns relating to activities connected with The Still Room should be reported using the following contact details.
Email: safeguarding@thestillroom-norwich.co.uk
Telephone: 01603 517 717
Post: Sawtooth Studios Ltd, Suite 9D, Keswick Hall, Keswick, Norwich, NR4 6TJ
If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.
Appendix A
Safeguarding Concern Report
Complete this form and submit to the Designated Safeguarding Lead at safeguarding@thestillroom-norwich.co.uk
Person Completing This Form
Name
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Role (staff, freelancer, participant, hirer)
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Email address
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Telephone number
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Details of Concern
Date and time of concern
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Location within building
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Name(s) of individuals involved (if known)
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Description of Concern
Include any observed behaviour, statements made or circumstances leading to the concern. Use the individual’s own words where possible when recording disclosures.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Immediate Action Taken
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Who Was Informed
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Declaration
Signature
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Date
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Appendix B
Incident Report (Non-Safeguarding)
Complete this form and submit to info@thestillroom-norwich.co.uk
Safeguarding concerns must be reported separately to safeguarding@thestillroom-norwich.co.uk and should not be submitted using this form.
Person Completing This Form
Name
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Role (staff, freelancer, participant, hirer)
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Email address
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Telephone number
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Incident Details
Date and time of incident
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Location within building
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Type of Incident
Select all that apply:
□ Accident or injury
□ Medical emergency
□ Near miss
□ Property damage
□ Fire alarm or evacuation
□ Security incident
□ Behavioural incident
□ Other
People Involved
Names and contact details if known
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Description of Incident
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Injuries Sustained
□ Yes
□ No
If yes, please describe
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Immediate Action Taken
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Emergency Services Involvement
□ Police
□ Ambulance
□ Fire service
□ None
Reference number if provided
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Damage to Property or Equipment
□ Yes
□ No
If yes, please describe
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Further Action Required
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Declaration
Signature
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Date
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Where incidents arise during activities delivered by external hirers, the organiser of the activity remains responsible for any RIDDOR reporting obligations that apply to their activity. Completing an incident report does not constitute an admission of liability. Incident reports are recorded to ensure appropriate follow-up, risk management and, where required, compliance with legal reporting obligations including RIDDOR.