Safe storytelling and editorial policy.

Pre-launch policy: this sets out the standards Fentro will put into practice before recording or publishing Fentro Voices contributions.

Choice and informed consent

Participation is voluntary. Before recording, we will explain the topic, format, intended audience, where content may appear, how long it may remain available and the limits of withdrawing published material. We will seek informed consent for recording and separate approval for publication. For contributors under 18, we will put appropriate parent or carer consent and safeguarding arrangements in place while still seeking the young person’s own agreement. No one loses access to Fentro support by declining to contribute.

Anonymity and privacy

Contributors may ask to use a pseudonym, remove identifying details or choose a non-public format. We will consider whether a voice, image, location, school, workplace or combination of details could still identify someone. We will not promise anonymity we cannot provide. We will keep recordings and personal information secure, restrict access and agree retention and deletion arrangements before production begins.

Trauma and difficult experiences

We will agree topics and boundaries in advance, avoid pressuring anyone to recount harm, and allow pauses or an end to an interview without penalty. We will signpost support where appropriate. Editing will preserve context and meaning, without sensationalising distress or treating a young person’s hardship as promotional material.

Safeguarding disclosures and legal cases

Contributors will be told before recording that we cannot promise secrecy if a disclosure indicates someone is at risk. We will pause publication, record and refer concerns through Fentro’s safeguarding process, and seek appropriate statutory advice. We will not investigate allegations ourselves. Content involving an ongoing police investigation, court case or identifiable allegation will be held from publication while legal and safeguarding risks are assessed; identifiable third parties will not be accused without appropriate verification and a fair opportunity to respond.

Review, withdrawal and ownership

Contributors will be offered a meaningful chance to review their contribution before publication, particularly sensitive passages. They can withdraw consent before publication and request removal afterwards. Once material has been shared, Fentro cannot guarantee removal of third-party copies or archives, and will explain this clearly in advance. A written contributor agreement will state who owns original recordings, edited episodes, photographs and written work, what licence each party grants, where it may be reused and how contributors will be credited. Fentro will not assume ownership of a young person’s story.

Moderation and publication decisions

Editors will check accuracy, consent, privacy, safeguarding risks and the impact on contributors and others before publication. Comments and social responses will be moderated for abuse, identifying information and harmful allegations. Fentro may edit, delay or decide not to publish, including where consent is unclear, a contributor’s safety could be affected or a legal process could be prejudiced. We will explain material editorial changes and publication decisions to the contributor where safe and appropriate.

Raising a concern

For a concern about a recording, publication or consent, email info@fentro.org.uk. Safeguarding concerns follow our Safeguarding Policy · Complaints; if someone is in immediate danger, call 999. Fentro will name an editorial lead and safeguarding lead before Voices activity begins, and review this policy with young contributors.