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 safeguarding policy is:
to protect all guests 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 else attending or working on behalf of The Queer Student Awards, including paid staff, volunteers, sessional workers, agency staff and students.
WE BELIEVE THAT:
LGBTQ+ students should never experience abuse of any kind
we have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all LGBTQ+ students, to keep them safe and to practice in a way that protects them
the same should apply to anyone else attending or working on behalf of The Queer Student Awards, including paid staff, volunteers, sessional workers, agency staff and students
WE RECOGNISE THAT:
the welfare of LGBTQ+ students is paramount in all the work we do and in all the decisions we make
working in partnership with LGBTQ+ students, their parents, carers and other agencies (where appropriate) is essential in promoting their welfare
all LGBTQ+ students, 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 LGBTQ+ students 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 LGBTQ+ students who are additionally vulnerable safe from abuse
the same should apply to anyone else attending or working on behalf of The Queer Student Awards, including paid staff, volunteers, sessional workers, agency staff and students
WE WILL SEEK TO KEEP LGBTQ+ STUDENTS AND ANYONE ELSE ATTENDING OR 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 by using a code of conduct for all staff and volunteers
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
hosting our ticket sale privately to further safeguard LGBTQ+ students in attendance
insisting that any students under the age of 18 who are attending the event are accompanied by an appropriate adult, for example a teacher, parent, guardian or family member over the age of 18 - this person is expected to take responsibility for their ‘young person’ whilst at the event
making sure that LGBTQ+ students attending know where to go for help if they have a concern
ensuring that the restroom facilities provided on the evening are gender neutral
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+ students, staff and volunteers
building a safeguarding culture where staff and volunteers, LGBTQ+ students and their families, treat each other with respect and are comfortable about sharing concerns
MORE SPECIFICALLY:
DEALING WITH DISCLOSURES AND CONCERNS ABOUT AN LGBTQ+ STUDENT, 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.
APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOUR BY ALL GUESTS ATTENDING: We expect all guests attending the event to behave appropriately and to respect the other guests they attend alongside. Anyone who is deemed to be too drunk, or engaging in negative and/or problematic behaviours, will be asked to leave immediately.
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.
NO TICKET, NO ENTRY POLICY: The venue will be providing security to ensure that access to the event is not given to anyone other than those named on the guest list who have purchased or been gifted tickets. ALL names of the party provided in a group booking must match those on the guest list to enter the venue. 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. ANY guests attempting to enter the venue without being on the named guest list will be refused entry.
ANTI-BULLYING, ABUSE AND/OR HATE SPEECH: 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 Thursday 17th April 2025.