Safeguarding Policy

1Who this policy covers

This policy applies to everyone involved in HOOKED! National 2027 at Stafford County Showground, including:

• Elevate Exhibitions Ltd directors, staff, volunteers and stewards
• Contractors and suppliers working on site
• Exhibitors, their staff and representatives
• Speakers, demonstrators, coaches and activity providers
• Accredited press, content creators and production crews
• Visitors

It covers the build-up, both show days and the breakdown, and any show activity that takes place before or after the event.

2Our commitment

We are committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk. We will:

• Take every concern seriously and act on it promptly
• Make sure everyone working at the show knows how to report a concern
• Expect activity providers working with children to have their own safeguarding arrangements in place
• Share information only with those who need it, and in line with the law
• Review this policy every year and after every show

This policy follows the principles of the Children Act 1989 and 2004, Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023, the Care Act 2014 and the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006.

3Safeguarding contacts

During the show, the Safeguarding Lead can be reached through the Organisers' Office or any steward. Before and after the show, email hello@hookednationalfishingshow.co.uk with Safeguarding in the subject line.

4Children and young people at the show

• Children under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult aged 18 or over at all times. Junior and Under 13 tickets must be booked alongside a full paying adult.
• The accompanying adult remains responsible for the child throughout their visit, including during activities, demonstrations and coaching sessions.
• If a child is found on their own, staff will stay with them in a public area and bring them to the Organisers' Office. A child will only be released to their parent or the adult who brought them, once identity is confirmed.

5Activities, coaching and demonstrations

Anyone running an activity that involves children or adults at risk, including beginners' sessions, casting, coaching, fly-tying and club activities, must:

• Have their own safeguarding policy, and share it with us on request
• Make sure that anyone in regulated activity with children holds an appropriate DBS check, and that coaches hold relevant, current qualifications
• Never be alone and out of sight with a child or adult at risk; activities take place in open, public areas
• Allow parents and carers to watch any session their child takes part in
• Report any concern to the Safeguarding Lead immediately

6Photography and filming

The show is a public event and general photography is permitted. Signs at the entrances let visitors know that filming and photography take place. Everyone photographing or filming at the show, including press, creators and exhibitors, must:

• Get consent from a parent or guardian before taking close-up or identifiable images of a child for publication
• Never publish a child's full name alongside their image
• Respect anyone who asks not to be photographed, and delete images on request
• Never photograph or film in toilets, changing areas, first aid points or the Organisers' Office
• Get our advance approval for drones, crews of three or more, and specialist equipment

Accredited press agree to these conditions when they apply, and accreditation can be withdrawn if they are broken.

7Exhibitors and their staff

• Exhibitors are responsible for the conduct of everyone working on their stand
• Competitions, prize draws and sign-ups that involve children need a parent or guardian's consent before any personal details are collected
• Children's personal data must be handled in line with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018
• Age-restricted products must not be sold or given to anyone under the legal age

8Code of conduct

Everyone working at the show, paid or unpaid, is expected to:

• Treat everyone with respect, whatever their age, background or ability
• Avoid unnecessary physical contact, and never be alone and out of sight with a child or adult at risk
• Never use language, behaviour or images that are inappropriate, threatening or discriminatory
• Never exchange personal contact details or social media connections with a child they have met at the show
• Report any concern about anyone's behaviour, including a colleague's

9Reporting and responding to a concern

If a child or adult tells you something worrying, or you see something that concerns you:

• Stay calm and listen. Don't ask leading questions or investigate yourself.
• Don't promise to keep it secret. Explain that you will need to tell someone who can help.
• Report it straight away to the Safeguarding Lead, through a steward or the Organisers' Office.
• Write down what you saw or heard as soon as you can, in the person's own words, with the date and time.

The Safeguarding Lead will decide on next steps, which may include contacting the police, Staffordshire children's or adult social care, or the Local Authority Designated Officer where a concern involves someone working at the show.

10Concerns about someone working at the show

Any concern or allegation about a member of staff, volunteer, contractor, exhibitor, speaker or member of the press will be reported to the Safeguarding Lead and handled confidentially. We may remove anyone from the show while a concern is looked into, and we will refer to the appropriate authorities where required.

11Records and confidentiality

Safeguarding records are stored securely, kept separate from other event records, and shared only with those who need to know to keep someone safe. They are handled in line with our Privacy Policy and UK data protection law.

12Further help and advice

• Emergency: 999
• Police, non-emergency: 101
• NSPCC Helpline (adults worried about a child): 0808 800 5000
• Childline (for children and young people): 0800 1111

This policy is reviewed every year and after each show by Elevate Exhibitions Ltd.