Our Governance

Unlike other companies a CIC exists to benefit a defined community of people. Everyone involved in the running of Penny’s Community Arts has a shared vision of our purpose and mission to support art within our community. 

Executive Directors 

Our Directors have three primary duties

1.     To set long-term strategies that will advance the mission and purpose of Penny’s Community Arts. 

2.     To ensure the reputation of the organisation is protected by demonstrating high levels of responsible Corporate Citizenship.

3.     Ensuring the organisation remains solvent. 

 

Non-Executive Board Members 

We currently have three non-executive Board members. They support, maintain and progress the mission of Penny’s Community Arts CIC. They are involved in policy making, planning and supporting the vision of our CIC by ensuring good governance principles, for example: 

·       Developing effective Board Procedures – providing a sound framework through appropriate policies and procedures.

·       Maintaining Strong Leadership – this is needed to implement good governance and essential to help the CIC achieve its community goals. 

·       Defining Organisational Strategy – this is needed to make sure everyone is clear on where the CIC is going and ensuring we meet our goals effectively.

·       Ensuring Accountability and Transparency – this enables our CIC to win and maintain public trust and confidence. Through good governance we will be able to move forward with the mission and vision of our CIC to benefit our society above all other interests.

Natalie Sarabia-Johnson (Left) has three decades of architecture experience and is the co-founder of Southgate-Sarabia architects. Natalie is passionate about arts in the community and she brings all her business experience and sound knowledge to our CIC. Natalie is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

Rebecca Brayson (Centre left) launched the Gin Shack (a mobile Gin Bar) in 2015. Rebecca has been a Garforth resident for 20 years and is the organiser of the Garforth Feastival - a local event with the aim of bringing the community together through food. Rebecca couples her love of food with a genuine desire to create strong communities based around Art, Good Food and Drink. Rebecca provides specialist commercial advice to the CIC.

Amy Baxter (Right) is a yoga teacher and community group facilitator.  She started Hawthorn Wellbeing in 2021, specialising in supporting individuals and groups to create pauses at all life stages. Using mindfulness, nature, art and yogic philosophies as a resource for making healthy and sustainable community connections. I love all things humanities - art, geography, and particularly local history.

Policies are available on request, but here is our safeguarding policy statement.

Safeguarding Policy

Introduction

Penny's Community Arts CIC provides accessible and inclusive artistic opportunities to individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Our organisation acknowledges its duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people. It is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best.

The policy recognises that the welfare and interests of children are paramount in all circumstances. It aims to ensure that regardless of age, ability or disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation, socio-economic background, all children:

·      have a positive and enjoyable experience at Penny’s Community Arts CIC in a safe and child-centred environment.

·      are protected from abuse whilst participating in the activity provided by Penny’s Community Arts CIC or outside of the activity.

We acknowledge that some children, including deaf and disabled children or those from Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic communities, can be particularly vulnerable to abuse and we accept the responsibility to take reasonable and appropriate steps to ensure their welfare.  

Note: The terms ‘child’, ‘children’ and ‘young person’ describe any person under the age of 18. For this policy we have used the NSPCC Safeguarding Policy Statement template and definitions of abuse and neglect. They are: Physical, Emotional, Sexual, Domestic, Child Exploitation, Online Abuse, Bullying, Harmful Sexual Abuse, FGM, Trafficking and County Lines.

1. What we will do

As part of our safeguarding policy, we will:

·      promote and prioritise the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.

·      value, listen to and respect children.

·      ensure robust safeguarding arrangements and procedures are in operation.

·      adopt safeguarding best practice through our policies, procedures, and code of conduct for staff and volunteers.

·      ensure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities in respect of safeguarding and is provided with appropriate learning opportunities to recognise, identify, and respond to signs of abuse, neglect and other safeguarding concerns relating to children and young people.

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

·      ensure appropriate action is taken in the event of all incidents or concerns, from lower-level concerns and poor practice to more serious abuse,

·      provide support to the individual(s) who raise or report the concern.

·      ensure that confidential, detailed, and accurate records of all safeguarding concerns are maintained and securely stored.

·      record and store information securely, in line with data protection legislation and guidance [more information about this is available from the Information Commissioner’s Office]

·      prevent the employment or deployment of unsuitable individuals by recruiting and selecting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made.

·      appoint a nominated safeguarding lead for children and young people, a deputy and a lead trustee/board member for safeguarding.

·      develop and implement an effective online safety policy and related procedures.

·      share information about safeguarding and good practice with children and their parents via leaflets, posters, group work and one-to-one discussions.

·      make sure that children, young people, and their parents know where to go for help if they have a concern.

The policy and procedures will be widely promoted and are mandatory for everyone involved in Penny’s Community Arts. Failure to comply with the policy and procedures will be addressed without delay and may ultimately result in dismissal or exclusion from the organisation.

2. Safeguarding Responsibilities

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL):

Name:             Penny Louise Rowe

Role:               Director & Lead Artist

Contact:          penny@pennyscommunityarts.com

 The DSL is responsible for overseeing safeguarding matters, including receiving and responding to concerns, ensuring appropriate referrals are made, and maintaining up-to-date safeguarding records.

 

Staff and Volunteer Responsibilities:

All staff and volunteers are expected to:

  • Treat all individuals with respect and dignity.

  • Be vigilant and report any concerns regarding the safety or well-being of participants.

  • Participate in safeguarding training as required.

  • Adhere to our Code of Conduct and safeguarding procedures.

  • Have an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

  • Have at least two references which are followed up.

3. Recruitment and Training

 We are committed to safer recruitment practices and will:

·      Conduct appropriate background checks for all individuals working directly with children or vulnerable adults.

·      Provide safeguarding training to all staff and volunteers to ensure they are equipped to recognise and respond to safeguarding concerns.

·      Maintain clear records of training and recruitment processes.

 

4. Reporting Concerns

If you have concerns about the safety or well-being of a participant, please:

·      Listen and Reassure: Allow the individual to share their concerns in a safe and supportive manner.

·      Record: Document the concern accurately and promptly using Safeguarding incident form.

·      Report: Contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) immediately.

In cases of immediate danger or emergency, contact local authorities by calling 999 or 101 in non-emergencies.

5. Confidentiality

We will handle all safeguarding concerns with the utmost confidentiality, sharing information only with those who need to know to protect the individual involved.

6. Review and Monitoring

This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if there are changes in legislation or guidance. The DSL is responsible for ensuring that all safeguarding procedures are up-to-date and effectively implemented.

7. Supporting Documents on request:

·      Safeguarding incident form

·      Code of Conduct for Staff and Volunteers

·      Risk Assessment Templates

If you require any further assistance or have specific questions regarding this policy, please do not hesitate to contact us at contact@pennyscommunityarts.com.

We are committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually.

This policy was last reviewed on: 13th April 2025