Safeguarding

Trybe House Theatre exists to create safe, brave spaces for young Black men aged 18 to 26 to make theatre, build brotherhood, and be themselves. Safeguarding isn’t a separate policy bolted onto the work — it’s how we work. Everyone who takes part in our programmes, on stage or behind it, has the right to be free from harm, abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

This page explains how we keep that promise, and how to tell us if we’ve fallen short.

Who this applies to

Most of the people who take part in our programmes are adults aged 18 to 26. Many face circumstances that the Care Act 2014 would describe as putting them “at risk” — including isolation, mental ill-health, experience of racism, financial hardship, or contact with the criminal justice system. Our practice is built around that reality.

We also deliver workshops in schools and other youth settings. When we work with anyone under 18, the children’s safeguarding framework applies — Working Together to Safeguard Children and, in schools, Keeping Children Safe in Education. In those settings we work to the host’s designated safeguarding lead, and follow our own child-protection procedures alongside.

What you can expect from us

Trained staff. Everyone delivering our programmes is briefed on safeguarding before they start. Our core team complete formal safeguarding training (covering both adults at risk and children) and refresh it regularly.

DBS checks. Anyone working in a regulated position with under-18s or adults at risk holds a current Enhanced DBS check.

Clear codes of conduct. Staff, freelancers, and visiting artists sign a code of conduct that sets out professional boundaries — no one-to-one contact outside session times, no private messaging with participants, clear expectations around physical contact in workshop activities.

A listening culture. We build time into every programme for participants to raise concerns — about us, about each other, or about anything they’re carrying. Concerns are taken seriously, recorded, and acted on.

Confidentiality with limits. What participants share with us stays with us, except when we believe someone is at risk of harm. In those cases we’ll involve the person we’re worried about wherever possible before we act.

Designated Safeguarding Lead

Our Designated Safeguarding Lead handles concerns, liaises with statutory agencies, and makes sure this policy is followed.

You can reach our DSL directly at info@trybehousetheatre.org.uk — please mark your message for the attention of the Designated Safeguarding Lead. Messages are read promptly during working hours.

Raising a concern

If you’re worried about someone’s safety — a participant, a member of staff, or yourself — you can:

• Email us at info@trybehousetheatre.org.uk, marked for the attention of the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
• Speak to any member of the Trybe team and ask them to escalate.
• Write to our directors at the same email address, marking your message for the attention of the safeguarding director.

You don’t need to be certain something is wrong before telling us, and you don’t need to provide evidence. We’ll listen, take notes, and decide what to do next together.

In an emergency, or if you’re worried right now

• If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.
• For non-emergency police, call 101.
• For concerns about a child or young person under 18, the NSPCC helpline is 0808 800 5000 (free, 24 hours).
• For concerns about an adult at risk, contact your local council’s adult social care team.
• If you’re a young person and need to talk: The Mix (under-25s) is 0808 808 4994; Childline (under-19s) is 0800 1111.

Our full policy and review

This page is a public summary. Our full Safeguarding Policy — covering reporting procedures, record-keeping, recruitment, training, and information-sharing — is available on request to partners, funders, and host settings.

The policy is reviewed at least once a year, or sooner if legislation, guidance, or our practice changes.

Last reviewed: 4 May 2026
Next review: 4 May 2027