www.dramed.com

Last reviewed: 21 May 2026  |  Next review due: May 2027

Contents

1.  Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy

2.  Photography and Video Policy

3.  Inclusivity and Equal Opportunities Policy

4.  Privacy Policy (GDPR)

5.  Cookie Policy

6.  Website Terms and Conditions

7.  Complaints Policy

1. Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy

Policy owner: Grace Francis, Designated Safeguarding Lead

Contact: grace@dramed.com  |  07886 267323

Last reviewed: 21 May 2026

Next review: May 2027

Policy Statement

DramEd is fully committed to safeguarding the welfare of all children and young people who participate in our sessions, workshops, and programmes. We believe every child deserves to feel safe, respected, and supported, and we take our responsibility to protect them with the utmost seriousness.

All DramEd practitioners hold current enhanced DBS checks, which are kept on file and are available to view by partner settings on request. We work in partnership with host settings and always comply with their own safeguarding policies and procedures.

Purpose

This policy exists to:

• Protect all children and young people who engage with DramEd's services from harm

• Provide clear guidance to all staff, associates, and volunteers on safeguarding expectations and procedures

• Ensure DramEd operates within current UK legislation and best practice guidance

• Give children, families, and partner settings confidence in how we work

Scope

This policy applies to everyone working on behalf of DramEd, including Grace Francis (founder), licensed associate practitioners, volunteers, sessional staff, and any third parties delivering on DramEd's behalf.

Our Beliefs

• Children and young people should never experience abuse of any kind

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

• 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

• Some children are additionally vulnerable due to their experiences, communication needs, or other factors, and we will always take this into account

• Working in partnership with children, families, schools, and other agencies is essential

How We Keep Children Safe

• All DramEd staff hold enhanced DBS clearance before working with children

• We operate a three-month probationary period for all new practitioners

• We require references before any practitioner begins working with children

• We comply fully with the host setting's safeguarding policy during every session

• We never leave a group of children unattended

• We avoid being alone with an individual child; if this is unavoidable (e.g. in a first aid situation), another adult is informed immediately

• We maintain accurate attendance registers for every session

• For activities for under 8s running more than two hours in a day, we register with Ofsted and the relevant Local Authority as required by law

• We provide effective management, supervision, and training to ensure all practitioners know and follow our policies with confidence

Recognising and Responding to Abuse

What to do if a child discloses

• Listen carefully without interrupting or asking leading questions

• Stay calm, accessible, and non-judgmental

• Communicate in a way that is appropriate to the child's age and understanding

• Make clear you are taking them seriously

• Acknowledge their courage in telling you

• Reassure them this is not their fault

• Explain that you will need to tell someone who can help, and what will happen next

• Make detailed notes as soon as possible using the child's own words

• Report immediately to the DramEd Designated Safeguarding Lead (Grace Francis)

What not to do

• Do not investigate or seek to prove or disprove an allegation

• Do not promise confidentiality or to keep secrets

• Do not ask leading questions (Why? How? What happened exactly?)

• Do not react with shock, anger, or disbelief

• Do not confront anyone allegedly involved

• Do not fail to record and pass on information

Peer-on-Peer Abuse

DramEd recognises that children can sometimes behave abusively towards other children. If any concern of peer-on-peer abuse arises, the Designated Safeguarding Lead will be notified immediately. We will consider the needs of all children involved, follow our reporting procedures, and seek guidance from the Local Authority or NSPCC as appropriate.

Online Safety

DramEd delivers some sessions and content online. The following rules apply to all online activity:

• All participants must be supervised by a parent or carer during online sessions

• Appropriate clothing must be worn by all participants

• DramEd practitioners will not use personal devices, personal email addresses, or personal social media accounts for professional communication with children or families

• Practitioners will not accept children as social media contacts

• All safeguarding procedures apply equally to online sessions

• Parents and carers are encouraged to monitor their child's internet use and discuss online safety regularly

Radicalisation and Extremism

DramEd is alert to the risk of radicalisation and extremism. We adopt the Government's definition of extremism and will challenge any extremist views expressed by learners, staff, or external parties. Staff will report any concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead, who will follow the locally agreed procedures and, where necessary, contact the Police or Local Authority.

Allegations Against Staff

Any allegation made against a DramEd practitioner will be taken seriously and handled in line with our internal procedures. The individual will be suspended from duties involving children while a full investigation takes place. If allegations are substantiated, the matter will be referred to the Police and relevant authorities.

Key Contacts

• DramEd Designated Safeguarding Lead: Grace Francis | grace@dramed.com | 07886 267323

• Ealing Safeguarding Children Board: 020 8825 9892 | escbtraining@ealing.gov.uk

• NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000 | help@nspcc.org.uk

• Childline: 0800 1111

• Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO): contact via your borough

Legal Framework

This policy is drawn up in line with: Children Act 1989; Children Act 2004; Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023; Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024; Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015; Data Protection Act 2018; UK GDPR.

This policy will be reviewed annually and whenever: there is a near-miss or incident; we recruit new staff; we use new premises; concerns are raised; or legislation changes.

2. Photography and Video Policy

Policy owner: Grace Francis

Last reviewed: 21 May 2026

Next review: May 2027

Our Position

DramEd has made a considered and deliberate decision to no longer capture photographs or video footage of children during our sessions. We believe this is the right and responsible choice for the children and families we work with.

This policy applies to all DramEd practitioners, associates, and partner settings when delivering or hosting DramEd sessions.

What This Means in Practice

• No photographs or video recordings of children will be taken during DramEd sessions by DramEd staff or associates

• DramEd's visual content, including material used on our website, social media, and marketing, will feature practitioners in action rather than children

• This approach protects children's identities, reduces the risk of misuse of images, and removes the need for ongoing consent management

• If a partner school or nursery wishes to capture their own content during a DramEd session, they must follow their own photography and video policy and obtain the necessary consents from parents and carers

Why This Matters

The risks associated with photographing children include the potential misuse of images, the identification of children in vulnerable circumstances, and unintended data sharing. By removing the capture of children's images entirely from our practice, we eliminate these risks and maintain a clear and consistent approach across all settings.

DramEd's Visual Content

All DramEd content showcasing our work will feature our practitioners demonstrating activities, storytelling techniques, and session delivery. This approach allows us to communicate the quality and character of our work authentically, without placing children in front of a camera.

3. Inclusivity and Equal Opportunities Policy

Policy owner: Grace Francis

Last reviewed: 21 May 2026

Next review: May 2027

Our Commitment

DramEd is committed to providing a welcoming, inclusive, and equitable experience for everyone who engages with our work. We celebrate difference and recognise that the richness of our communities is one of the greatest assets in creative education.

We do not discriminate, directly or indirectly, against any person on the basis of age, religion, culture, ability, gender, gender reassignment, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or any other characteristic.

How We Live This Out

• We actively reflect our inclusivity values in the practitioners we hire, ensuring our team represents the communities we serve

• We design and deliver sessions that are accessible, culturally affirming, and responsive to the needs of every child in the room

• We work collaboratively with host settings to understand any additional needs in advance, so every child can participate fully

• We challenge stereotypes and narrow narratives through the stories we choose and the characters we bring to life

• We create environments where every child feels seen, valued, and included, regardless of their background or starting point

• We will always adapt our approach to ensure children with additional learning needs, physical disabilities, or communication differences can participate meaningfully

Staff and Associates

DramEd expects all practitioners, associates, and partners to uphold these values in every session and in every interaction. Any behaviour that conflicts with this policy will be taken seriously and addressed promptly.

Continuous Improvement

We are committed to learning, listening, and improving. If any family, school, or partner has feedback about how we can better reflect our inclusivity values, we welcome that conversation. Please contact grace@dramed.com.

4. Privacy Policy

Policy owner: Grace Francis

Registered address: DramEd, London

Contact: grace@dramed.com

Last reviewed: 21 May 2026

Next review: May 2027

Who We Are

DramEd is a drama-based education company delivering participatory storytelling and drama programmes in nurseries and primary schools across London. We operate as a private limited company registered in England and Wales. Company name: DramEd Ltd. Company number: 12101031. Our website is www.dramed.com.

We are committed to protecting the privacy of everyone who interacts with us, including school and nursery contacts, parents, carers, and website visitors. This policy explains what personal data we collect, why we collect it, how we use it, and your rights under UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

What Data We Collect

From schools and nurseries

• Name, job title, and email address of the contact person

• School or nursery name and address

• Session booking details and communications

From website visitors and enquirers

• Name and email address submitted via contact or enquiry forms

• Email address if you subscribe to our newsletter or download a resource

Automatically collected

• Technical data such as browser type and IP address via Squarespace analytics and cookies (see Cookie Policy)

Why We Collect It and Our Legal Basis

• To fulfil session bookings and manage our working relationships with schools and nurseries (legitimate interest / contractual necessity)

• To send our newsletter and educational resources to subscribers who have opted in (consent)

• To respond to enquiries from prospective clients (legitimate interest)

• To comply with legal obligations, including safeguarding and financial record-keeping

How We Store and Protect Your Data

Your data is stored securely in Google Workspace and our CRM system. We do not sell, rent, or share your personal data with third parties for marketing purposes. We only share data where required by law or for the direct delivery of our services (for example, sharing a practitioner's DBS reference with a partner school on request).

We retain contact data for as long as the working relationship is active. Enquiry data is retained for up to 24 months. You may request deletion at any time.

Your Rights

Under UK GDPR, you have the right to: access the data we hold about you; correct inaccurate data; request deletion of your data; withdraw consent at any time; object to processing based on legitimate interest; and lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact grace@dramed.com.

Third-Party Services

We use Squarespace (website and store), MailerLite (email marketing), Google Workspace (email and document storage), and Jotform (contracts and forms). Each has its own privacy policy. We use these services only for legitimate business purposes and do not authorise them to use your data for their own marketing.

5. Cookie Policy

Last reviewed: 21 May 2026

Next review: May 2027

What Are Cookies

Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They help websites function properly, remember your preferences, and gather information about how the site is used.

How DramEd Uses Cookies

Our website (www.dramed.com) is built on Squarespace. Squarespace places cookies on your device to ensure the site functions correctly, to process transactions in our shop, and to provide us with anonymous analytics about how visitors use the site.

Essential cookies

These are required for the website to function and cannot be switched off. They include cookies that support security, navigation, and the online shop checkout process.

Analytics cookies

These help us understand how visitors interact with our website, such as which pages are viewed most. The data is anonymous and is used only to improve our content and user experience.

Managing Cookies

You can control and delete cookies through your browser settings at any time. Please be aware that disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of our website and shop. For more information on managing cookies, visit allaboutcookies.org.

Third-Party Cookies

Squarespace, Google Analytics (if enabled), and any embedded content (such as YouTube videos) may also set their own cookies. We do not control these cookies and recommend reviewing the relevant third-party privacy policies.

6. Website Terms and Conditions

Last reviewed: 21 May 2026

Next review: May 2027

About This Website

This website (www.dramed.com) is operated by DramEd Ltd, a private limited company registered in England and Wales (Company number: 12101031), delivering drama-based education across the UK. By using this website, you agree to these terms.

Use of This Website

The content on this website is for general information and educational purposes. You may not reproduce, distribute, or use any content from this site for commercial purposes without prior written permission from DramEd.

We make every effort to keep the information on this site accurate and up to date, but we cannot guarantee it is complete or error-free at all times. DramEd is not liable for any loss or inconvenience arising from reliance on information on this site.

Bookings and Services

• All session bookings are confirmed in writing by DramEd

• Invoices are due within the payment terms stated on the invoice

• Cancellations with fewer than 48 hours notice may be subject to a cancellation charge

• DramEd reserves the right to reschedule sessions in the event of practitioner illness or circumstances beyond our control, and will always provide as much notice as possible

• DramEd holds public liability insurance. Details are available on request

Intellectual Property

All DramEd session content, materials, frameworks, resources, card decks, and branding are the intellectual property of DramEd and Grace Francis. They may not be copied, shared, or adapted without written permission.

Links to External Websites

Our website may contain links to third-party sites. These are provided for convenience only. DramEd is not responsible for the content, accuracy, or privacy practices of any external websites.

Limitation of Liability

DramEd will not be liable for any indirect or consequential loss arising from use of this website or participation in DramEd sessions beyond what is covered by our public liability insurance.

Governing Law

These terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales.

7. Complaints Policy

Policy owner: Grace Francis

Contact: grace@dramed.com

Last reviewed: 21 May 2026

Next review: May 2027

Our Commitment

DramEd is committed to delivering high-quality, safe, and meaningful sessions. We take all feedback and complaints seriously and use them as an opportunity to learn and improve.

How to Raise a Concern

If you have a concern or complaint about any aspect of DramEd's service, please contact Grace Francis in the first instance:

• Email: grace@dramed.com

• Phone: +44 (0)2035765077

• We will acknowledge your complaint within two working days and aim to provide a full response within ten working days.

Safeguarding Complaints

If your concern relates to the safety or welfare of a child, please refer to our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy (Section 1) and contact Grace Francis immediately. Serious concerns may also be referred directly to the Local Authority or the NSPCC.

If You Are Not Satisfied

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may escalate your complaint in writing to grace@dramed.com, marked for the attention of the Complaints Review. We will respond within a further ten working days.

Record Keeping

All complaints are recorded confidentially and reviewed as part of our annual policy review process. This helps us identify any patterns and continuously improve our practice.

DramEd Policies and Procedures  |  www.dramed.com  |  Reviewed: 21 May 2026