Policy Statement

Close-Up Research is committed to safeguarding the welfare and dignity of all participants we engage with, especially those who may be at risk of harm, abuse, or exploitation. Our work often involves conducting filmed research with individuals in their own homes or community spaces. We recognise our responsibility to ensure that every participant feels safe, respected, and in control of their involvement.

This safeguarding policy outlines how Close-Up Research protects participants during project delivery and ensures responsible conduct by its researchers and filmmakers.

(For information on our approach to consent and privacy, see “Close-Up Research’s Consent Policy” and “Close-Up Research’s Privacy Policy”.)

Definitions

• Child: Anyone under 18.

• Adult who may be at risk: An adult whose circumstances may increase their risk of abuse or neglect or affect their ability to protect themselves. We consider the person’s circumstances and wishes rather than assuming that age or disability alone makes someone unable to make decisions.

• Abuse or neglect: Harm that may take different forms, including physical, sexual, emotional, financial or discriminatory abuse, coercion, exploitation or neglect.

• Safeguarding: The steps we take to prevent harm, respond to concerns and support the safety and dignity of children and adults taking part in our work.

Principles

• All individuals should be treated with dignity, respect, and fairness.
• Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. We take all concerns seriously.
• Participants’ safety and autonomy are paramount.
• Participation is voluntary, consent is ongoing, and withdrawal is always an option.
• Our approach follows the MRS Code of Conduct, the Care Act 2014, the Social Model of Disability, and any relevant local laws and guidance.

Safeguarding Commitments

Close-Up Research will:

• Carry out risk assessments before each project.
• Offer participants clear and accessible information about their rights and what the research involves.
• Maintain professional boundaries at all times.
• Always work to build rapport and check comfort levels throughout filming.
• Record consent appropriately and review it regularly.
• Be prepared to escalate any concerns about a participant’s welfare to the appropriate authority.
• Agree on a project-specific safeguarding plan that names relevant contacts, services and escalation routes.
• Ensure that everyone working on the project understands how to raise a concern, including about another team member or the safeguarding lead.

Working in People’s Homes

When entering a participant’s home:

• The visit will be pre-arranged with full informed consent and awareness of purpose.
• The researcher will identify themselves clearly and arrive at the agreed time.
• A clear schedule will be agreed on in advance and shared with the participant.
• Researchers will never pressure a participant to proceed and will leave immediately if requested.
• If working alone in a participant’s home, the researcher must have a named safeguarding contact on call and check-in/out procedures in place.

Recognising Signs and Symptoms of Abuse

It is important for all team members to be aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse. These may include but are not limited to:

• Physical abuse: Unexplained bruises, cuts, burns, or injuries; frequent trips or falls.
• Emotional/psychological abuse: Withdrawal, fearfulness, agitation, sudden changes in mood or behaviour, disturbed sleep patterns.
• Sexual abuse: Bruising in intimate areas, unexplained infections, withdrawal from contact, fearfulness.
• Financial abuse: Unexplained loss of money or possessions, sudden financial hardship, reluctance to discuss money.
• Neglect: Poor hygiene, malnutrition, untreated medical conditions, inappropriate clothing for weather.
• Discriminatory abuse: Derogatory language, exclusion, signs of isolation linked to race, gender, age, disability, sexuality or religion.

These signs are not exhaustive, and the presence of one or more does not prove abuse is occurring. However, if team members observe any signs that give cause for concern, they should follow the reporting procedure outlined in this policy.

Roles and Responsibilities

Close-Up’s director oversees safeguarding arrangements, ensures that project plans identify suitable contacts, and maintains secure records of concerns and actions taken.

For each project, the safeguarding plan names the person to contact first and an alternative. Depending on the project, the first or joint contact may be a project manager or safeguarding lead at the commissioning research agency. The plan also identifies the relevant local children’s social care or adult safeguarding service and emergency route.

All Close-Up team members, whether employees or freelancers and whatever their project role, must sign and follow the applicable safeguarding, consent and privacy policies; complete safeguarding preparation appropriate to their role; undergo the level of DBS check appropriate and eligible for direct participant work; and report concerns promptly. A concern about a named contact must be taken to the alternative contact or an appropriate external safeguarding service.

Reporting a Concern

If a concern arises:

1. If someone is in immediate danger or needs urgent medical help, call 999. Do not delay while seeking permission from a project contact.
2. Listen calmly. Do not investigate, ask leading questions or promise secrecy. Explain that you may need to share information with someone able to help.
3. Make a factual record as soon as possible: the date and time, what you saw or heard, the person’s own words where possible, who was present, and any immediate action taken. Store it securely outside general research footage or notes as directed by the safeguarding plan.
4. Contact the named project safeguarding lead promptly. If they are unavailable, implicated or unable to act in time, use the alternative contact or contact the relevant local authority children’s social care or adult safeguarding service directly. Where a crime may have been committed or there is immediate danger, contact the police.
5. Record whom you contacted, when, the advice received, any referral made and the reasons for the action taken. Share information only with those who need it to respond, and follow up if the concern has not been appropriately addressed.

Consent and Comfort

See “Close-Up Research’s Consent Policy” and the project-specific consent form. Participation is voluntary, each participant’s choices are recorded, and their willingness to continue is checked throughout. A participant can pause or stop a visit or recording at any time without giving a reason. Requests concerning recorded contributions or published material are handled in line with the consent policy and the arrangements agreed with the client. We explain available privacy options and take care to represent participants fairly and sensitively.

Data and Privacy

See Close-Up’s accompanying document: “Close-Up Research’s Privacy Policy”. We comply fully with the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018. 

Participant data and safeguarding records are stored securely and accessed only by authorised people. Where information needs to be shared to respond to a safeguarding concern, we share only what is necessary with an appropriate person or authority. 

Project data and safeguarding records are retained or deleted in line with the applicable project arrangements and data protection requirements.

Review and Updates

This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if legislation or best practice changes.