South Indian Arts and Cultural Society

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South Indian Arts and Cultural Society – UK

The South Indian Arts and Cultural Society UK (SIACS-UK) is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all individuals involved in our activities, particularly children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

We aim to create a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment where traditional South Indian arts and culture can be shared and celebrated without risk of harm or abuse.

This policy outlines how we will:

• Protect children, young people, and vulnerable adults involved in our programs. 
• Ensure all members, volunteers, staff, and teachers understand their safeguarding responsibilities.
• Provide a clear procedure for managing concerns.
   

This policy applies to:

• Committee members, volunteers, staff, teachers, guest artists
• Anyone involved in events, classes, workshops, or outreach programmes organised by SIACS-UK
   

This policy is based on the UK legal framework, including:

• Children Act 1989 & 2004
• Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018)
• The Care Act 2014 
• Keeping Children Safe in Education (2023)
• Charity Commission safeguarding guidance
   

• Child: Anyone under the age of 18
• Vulnerable Adult: A person aged 18+ who may be at risk due to age, disability, illness, or social circumstances
• Abuse: Any form of harm including physical, emotional, sexual abuse, neglect, and exploitation
   

SIACS-UK will:

• Promote a safe and welcoming culture rooted in mutual respect and cultural sensitivity
• Ensure safeguarding is embedded in all classes, performances, and events
• Provide safeguarding guidance to all staff, teachers, and volunteers
• Carry out DBS checks where appropriate (e.g., for teachers working with children)
• Have a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
   

Email:  contact@siacs.org

The DSL is the first point of contact for any safeguarding concerns and will take the lead on responding and referring to external agencies where required.

All staff and volunteers should be alert to:

• Unexplained injuries
• Sudden changes in behaviour or mood
• Withdrawal or fearfulness
• Inappropriate sexual knowledge or behaviour
• Signs of neglect or poor hygiene
   

If you witness or receive a disclosure of abuse:

1. Report it immediately to the DSL
2. Record details (date, time, people involved, what was said)
3. Do not investigate yourself
4. Do not promise confidentiality — explain you may need to share the concern to keep someone safe
    

In emergencies or if someone is at immediate risk, call 999.

We will:

• Carry out appropriate DBS checks for those working directly with children or vulnerable adults
• Collect references and verify qualifications where applicable
• Provide induction and safeguarding guidance
   

We recognise the importance of cultural practices within South Indian traditions, including respect for elders, traditional attire, and performance customs.
However, cultural practices must never justify behaviour that puts children or vulnerable people at risk. All safeguarding concerns will be treated with seriousness, regardless of cultural context.

Many of our classes or events may be hosted online. We will:

• Use secure, password-protected platforms
• Ensure that children’s online sessions are supervised
• Never record children without written parental consent
   

We will:

• Obtain written parental consent before taking or sharing photos/videos of children
• Never share full names with images online
• Allow parents to opt out of any media use
   

All safeguarding concerns will be handled sensitively and shared only on a need-to-know basis. Records will be stored securely.

This policy will be reviewed annually or following any serious incident or change in legislation.