We recognise the importance of protecting children and young people both in person and online.

Digital communication, photography and social media can provide valuable opportunities to celebrate achievements, promote positive activities and strengthen community engagement.

However, we also recognise that these activities must be managed responsibly to protect participants’ privacy, dignity and safety.

We are committed to promoting responsible digital communication and appropriate use of photography, video and social media.

This includes obtaining appropriate permissions for the use of identifiable images, respecting individual privacy, maintaining professional boundaries in online communications and taking appropriate action where digital safeguarding concerns arise.

Where photographs or videos are taken during our activities, we aim to ensure that:

• Appropriate permissions and safeguarding considerations are addressed before images are published.
• Children and young people are treated respectfully and represented positively.
• Personal or sensitive information is not unnecessarily disclosed.
• Images are not used in ways that could compromise an individual’s safety or dignity.
• Requests relating to photography permissions are respected and managed appropriately.
• Staff and volunteers follow organisational expectations around the use and storage of images.

We recognise that some children may have additional safeguarding circumstances that make the publication of identifiable images inappropriate, even where general permissions have been provided.

Staff and volunteers are expected to maintain professional boundaries when communicating online and should not use personal social media accounts to establish inappropriate relationships with participants.

We also recognise the risks associated with cyberbullying, online grooming, inappropriate content and the misuse of digital communication.

Where concerns about online safety arise, they will be considered through our safeguarding procedures and referred to relevant agencies where necessary.

Photographs and personal information will be managed in accordance with our data protection procedures and relevant safeguarding requirements.