Consent & Safeguarding
This page explains how we collect, use and protect stories and information shared through iCare, DCRadio Directory, DCRadio Hub, DCTV and DCTribe.
How Your Story May Be Used
When you share information or a story with DeCollaborators CIC, it may be used in one or more parts of the ecosystem:
iCare
5Why stories and “Day in a Life” content, shared on @DeCollaborators and connected platforms.
DCRadio Directory & Hub
Listings, short descriptions and occasional references on DCRadio Hub to help people find your work.
DCTV & DCTribe
Short video features and anonymised examples used in training or teaching about community media and storytelling.
What You Are Saying “Yes” To
Consent is not a one-time signature. It is an ongoing conversation. We aim to keep things clear and respectful.
When we request consent
We will ask for explicit consent when:
- Recording an iCare 5Why talking-head video.
- Filming a “Day in a Life” visit or DCTV feature.
- Recording interviews, testimonies or vox pops.
- Using identifiable photos or video of you, your staff, volunteers or service users.
- Including your story as part of academic reflection or research outputs.
For simple directory listings, sending your details for publication is usually treated as consent to appear in the app, but you can ask for changes or removal at any time.
Your rights
When you give consent, you have the right to:
- Ask questions before agreeing to take part.
- Request corrections if details are inaccurate.
- Ask us not to use a particular photo, clip or quote.
- Withdraw consent for future use of your material, where practical. (Some content already published or widely shared may not be fully removable.)
We will explain, case by case, what can and cannot be changed once material is live on public platforms.
Working Safely with Children, Young People & Adults at Risk
Many organisations we work with serve children, families and adults in vulnerable situations. We take this seriously.
Our general commitments
- We follow the safeguarding policies of the host organisation when on-site.
- We avoid sharing identifiable information about children or vulnerable adults without clear, written guardian consent.
- We will not interview or film a child one-to-one without another responsible adult present, agreed in advance.
- We do not ask people to share information that puts them at risk, exposes confidential case details or breaks professional boundaries.
- We are willing to anonymise details or blur faces where appropriate.
Children & young people under 18
- Parental or guardian consent is required for any identifiable media featuring under-18s.
- Organisations should confirm that their own consent processes are in place before we record.
- We prefer group shots and activity-based filming rather than focusing on one child, unless agreed with guardians and the organisation.
- If a young person says they do not want to be filmed or recorded, we will respect that regardless of prior consent.
If you have your own safeguarding lead or policy, we are happy to work within that framework.
Masters, PhD & Long-Term Use
Parts of the iCare and DCRadio ecosystem are being studied as part of an ongoing postgraduate journey (Masters and future PhD) on community media, storytelling, and their impact and contribution to Community Wealth Building (CWB).
During the Masters project
- The Masters-level work focuses on how community media and storytelling are designed, set up and used in practice.
- Some activities may be reflected on in academic work (for example, how stories are collected, framed and shared across the ecosystem).
- Where organisations or individuals are included in research outputs, details can be anonymised if requested.
- You will be informed when an activity is part of the research element and given a separate consent form where required by the institution.
You can still be listed in the directory or share your story for media purposes without taking part in the research element.
PhD, CWB focus & long-term use
- The planned PhD work will look more deeply at the impact and contribution of community media and storytelling to Community Wealth Building (CWB).
- The platforms (DCRadio Directory, DCRadio Hub, iCare, DCTV, DCTribe) will continue as part of DeCollaborators CIC and may be used as case studies or practice-based examples.
- Listings and stories may remain live as part of the ongoing ecosystem unless you ask us to remove or revise them.
- New consent may be requested if we want to reuse material in a different research or publication context in future.
Across both Masters and PhD stages, DeCollaborators CIC approaches its services through a research and development lens – testing and refining tailored media and digital solutions with and for community partners.
If You Want to Talk Something Through
If you have any questions about consent, safeguarding or how your story or listing is being used, you can contact us directly.
Contact DeCollaborators CIC
Email: info@decollaborators.org
Please include “Consent & Safeguarding” in the subject line if your message is about these topics.
✉️ Email about consent & safeguardingRequesting a change or removal
When you contact us, it helps if you include:
- Where the content appears (e.g. app, website, social media, radio).
- Rough date of recording or posting.
- How you would like it to be changed (correction, update, removal where possible).
We will respond as soon as we reasonably can and explain what is possible in your specific case.