safeguarding.

REAL CIC works with young people, including those who are vulnerable, marginalised, or at risk. Keeping young people safe is the foundation of everything we do, and we believe a robust safeguarding framework is the single most important commitment any organisation working with young people can make.

Where we are now

REAL CIC was incorporated in September 2025 and is currently in its development phase, building the systems, policies, and infrastructure needed to deliver programmes safely. We are seeking funding to move into delivery.

This page sets out the framework we are building toward and the standards REAL will operate to before any programme begins.

Our framework

Our safeguarding approach is being designed in line with:

  • Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023

  • Keeping Children Safe in Education (the most recent version)

  • The Department for Education's voluntary code of practice for out-of-school settings

  • The Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (as it progresses through Parliament)

  • UK GDPR and the ICO's Age Appropriate Design Code

What will be in place before delivery begins

Before any programme involving young people starts, REAL CIC will have:

  • A named Designated Safeguarding Lead with appropriate training

  • A Deputy Safeguarding Lead

  • Enhanced DBS checks with the Children's Barred List for all staff and freelancers in regulated activity

  • Annual safeguarding training for all delivery staff and facilitators

  • A full suite of policies covering child protection, code of conduct, online safety, image and video consent, data protection, complaints, and whistleblowing

  • Clear referral pathways and information-sharing agreements with statutory partners

  • Trauma-informed practice training for all delivery staff

  • A young persons' privacy notice and dual consent processes for all participants under 18

Our wider commitments

Working with young people in creative media production raises specific questions about consent, intellectual property, and the ethics of telling difficult stories. REAL is committed to:

  • Treating young people as the authors of their own stories, not subjects of ours

  • Securing dual consent (young person and parent or guardian) before any content involving an identifiable young person is produced or shared

  • Allowing young people to retain copyright in their creative work

  • Building content review processes that protect young people from re-traumatisation or unintended self-disclosure, without censoring their voices

  • Co-designing our approach to consent, content, and safeguarding with the Youth Forum

If you have a concern

This page will be updated with REAL CIC's safeguarding contacts once delivery begins. In the meantime, if you have a concern about a young person you believe to be at risk:

  • For an emergency, call 999

  • For non-emergency concerns about a child in Birmingham, contact Birmingham Children's Advice and Support Service (CASS) on 0121 303 1888

  • For confidential advice or to report a concern, call the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000

  • For concerns about a young person's online safety, the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) takes reports at ceop.police.uk

Get in touch

For questions about REAL CIC's safeguarding approach, or to discuss safeguarding standards as a referral or funding partner, contact us at enquiry@realcic.co.uk or using our contact form.