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Safeguarding
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Policy and procedure

Photography

The purpose of this policy is to have a proactive approach in preventing the misuse of photographic equipment including video, image recording equipment and phones. Advances in technology have heightened the opportunity for inappropriate use of such equipment.

This policy has been produced for use by Edge Hill Sport but can be adapted for use in other circumstances, services and departments. Photography and video recording equipment are used at sports events and leisure facilities to record activities for promotion and media.

In accordance with the Institute of Sport and Recreation Management guidelines, all visitors to Edge Hill Sport facilities and events, who wish to take photographs or use video recording equipment including certain mobile phones, in any area of the facilities are required to comply with the following. You must seek prior permission from a member of the management team, who will:

The photographer, including professional media photographers, are required to wear the ID badge at all times, and return it when they sign out of the building.

Every effort must be taken to approach any individual taking photographs or using recording equipment without an authorisation badge. If they are not willing to complete the authorisation sheet they must refrain from using their equipment or will be required to leave the premises.

If the photographs are to be taken for private use, such as family records, then a photography consent form will need to be completed.

If the photographs are to be taken for public use such as promotional material then in addition to a completed photography consent form, individual consent forms will be required. In these cases all care must be taken to ensure that no identifying features will be left on the photographs or videos to ensure anonymity.

Under 18’s and vulnerable adults should not be left alone with the photographer.

After following all of the above, there remains a general requirement on the photographer that if any customer complains or expresses concern they must stop taking photographs.

This policy is to be incorporated into the normal operating procedures of the facility. Photographs must not be taken in any changing area including:

  • swimming pool
  • sports facilities
  • team changing facilities
  • toilets

Prevent

The duty to protect children, young people and adults from harm extends to protecting them from involvement in groups which set out to radicalise individuals.

Within the government’s Prevent Strategy, universities have been identified as potential sites for radicalisation and university leaders have been asked to work in partnership with the regional Prevent Coordinators, local authorities, and the police to minimise the risks of individuals becoming radicalised. Whilst it is recognised that no single measure will reduce radicalisation, it is believed that the only way is to target potential at risk vulnerable groups and individuals and try to re-assimilate them into society.

Potential indicators of susceptibility to radicalisation

These indicators could be found in a variety of scenarios that involve vulnerable students, entirely unrelated to any sort of radicalisation. They are likely to be indicative of a student who is generally struggling to settle into university life and who would benefit from the wide range of student support that is provided within the University.

By providing a referral to the Designated Safeguarding Officer it will enable those relevant services within and outside the University to identify an individual’s needs and vulnerabilities. This would include deciding whether the Channel process may be of benefit to the individual.

Factors which are considered when determining whether an individual may be vulnerable to involvement with terrorism:

  • Identity crisis – Distance from cultural/ religious heritage and uncomfortable with their place in the society around them.
  • Personal crisis – Family tensions, sense of isolation, low self-esteem, disassociating from existing friendship group and becoming involved with a new and different group of friends, searching for answers to questions about identity, faith and belonging.
  • Personal circumstances – poverty, deprivation, local community tensions at home, events affecting country or region of origin, alienation from UK values, having a sense of grievance that is triggered by personal experience of racism or discrimination or aspects of Government Policy.
  • Unmet aspirations – Perceptions of injustice, feeling of failure, rejection of civic life.
  • Criminality – Victims of hate crime/discrimination. Experiences of imprisonment, poor resettlement/ reintegration, previous involvement with criminal groups.

Staff or students may become concerned about someone due to changes in behaviour or appearance, with the following possible indicators prompting cause for concern:

  • Stopping contact with peers, only interested in contact with members of a particular ideological group.
  • Changes in a habitual style of dress.
  • Condoning violence in support of an espoused ideology.
  • Quickness to anger, intolerance, close-mindedness.
  • Attitude to women.
  • Change in attitude.
  • Isolation.
  • Physical changes such as clothing or tattoos.
  • Overt new religious practices.
  • Accommodation changes including posters, decorations or artwork.
  • Spreading messages and/or extremist views.

There may be many reasons for such changes, which is why a safeguarding approach should be adopted. This will enable relevant services within and outside the University to identify an individual’s needs and vulnerabilities. This includes deciding whether the Channel process may be of benefit to the individual.

Dealing with concerns over radicalisation

If a member of staff is concerned that an individual may be becoming radicalised, they should follow the process described in the flowchart as they would for any other safeguarding concerns.

The Senior Designated Safeguarding Officer will always discuss and agree any decision in relation to a potential referral to Channel with the Prevent Lead – designated as the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Student Experience).