Safeguarding and the QSAs

The Queer Student Awards (QSAs) are an annual hybrid celebration of talented LGBTQ+ youths who are proudly leading in their lives and the communities around them. The awards also recognise the work that allies, schools, colleges, universities, employers are doing towards creating inclusive spaces that support LGBTQ+ youths and the adversities they experience every day - especially when it comes to navigating their career options and worrying about whether or not their sexuality will act as a barrier to their future success.

The purpose of this policy statement is:

  • to protect LGBTQ+ youths (age 16 -24) who participate in, and are recognised by, The Queer Student Awards activities and events from harm

  • to provide staff, volunteers and our suppliers with the overarching principles and processes in place that aim to protect them from discrimination, physical, verbal and emotional abuse whilst supporting our activities and events

This policy applies to anyone working on behalf of The Queer Student Awards, including paid staff, volunteers, sessional workers, agency staff and students.

WE BELIEVE THAT:

  • children and LGBTQ+ youths should never experience abuse of any kind

  • we have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and LGBTQ+ youths, to keep them safe and to practise in a way that protects them

  • the same should apply to anyone working on behalf of The Queer Student Awards, including paid staff, volunteers, sessional workers, agency staff and students

WE RECOGNISE THAT:

  • the welfare of children is paramount in all the work we do and in all the decisions we make

  • working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare

  • all children, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation have an equal right to protection from all types of harm or abuse

  • some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues

  • extra safeguards may be needed to keep children who are additionally vulnerable safe from abuse

  • the same should apply to anyone working on behalf of The Queer Student Awards, including paid staff, volunteers, sessional workers, agency staff and students

WE WILL SEEK TO KEEP CHILDREN, LGBTQ+ YOUTHS AND ANYONE WORKING ON BEHALF OF THE QUEER STUDENT AWARDS SAFE BY:

  • valuing, listening to and respecting them

  • adopting child protection and safeguarding best practice through our policies, procedures and code of conduct for staff and volunteers

  • developing and implementing an effective online safety policy and related procedures

  • providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support, training and quality assurance measures so that all staff and volunteers know about and follow our policies, procedures and behaviour codes confidently and competently

  • providing clear guidance during the nomination process to ensure that anyone nominated has either granted permission to be nominated and/or is a visible member of the LGBTQ+ community i.e. they have already shared their sexuality and/or gender identity publicly

  • recording and storing and using information professionally and securely, in line with data protection legislation and guidance

  • making sure that children and LGBTQ+ youths know where to go for help if they have a concern

  • using our procedures to manage any allegations against staff and volunteers appropriately

  • creating and maintaining an anti-bullying and anti-discriminatory environment and ensuring that we have a policy and procedure to help us deal effectively with any issues that arise

  • ensuring that we provide a safe physical environment for LGBTQ+ youths, staff and volunteers

  • building a safeguarding culture where staff and volunteers, children, young people and their families, treat each other with respect and are comfortable about sharing concerns

MORE SPECIFICALLY:

DEALING WITH DISCLOSURES AND CONCERNS ABOUT A YOUNG PERSON, STAFF OR VOLUNTEER OR MANAGING ALLEGATIONS AGAINST STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS OR RECORDING CONCERNS AND INFORMATION SHARING: Please contact Steve Keith via email in the first instance

PHOTOGRAPHY AND SHARING IMAGES GUIDANCE: Everyone attending the awards is asked to provide permission(s) for photography and filming at the event when registering for ticket sales. Where this is not granted all staff and volunteers are briefed and individuals are identified to ensure this is respected as much as possible during the event.

ONLINE SAFETY: ANY hate speech seen and/or shared, online as a result of promotions of the awards will be reported to the appropriate channel owner via their own reporting processes.

ANTI-BULLYING, ABUSE AND/OR HATE SPEECH: The venue will be providing security to ensure that access to the event is not given to anyone other than those with tickets purchased or gifted. If we have reason to believe that a ticket(s) has been purchased under a false name then as a private event we reserve the right to ask for further information about you/your party and/or to cancel your ticket. ALL NAMES OF THE PARTY MADE IN A GROUP BOOKING MUST BE PROVIDED TO ENTER THE VENUE ON THE EVENING. The Queer Student Awards have a ZERO TOLERANCE policy with regards to bullying, abuse and/or hate speech. Anyone seen to be acting in a discriminatory manner will be asked to leave the event and escorted from the premises by security.

MANAGING COMPLAINTS: Please contact Steve Keith via email in the first instance

Policy last updated Sunday 7th January 2024.