'Helping you to capture those awesome moments in life'

Following this, despite continuing ill health, I decided to do a creative degree with the OU this gave me a greater understanding of how to be creative.

I took music and creative writing (not art!) I loved it but realised that music wasn't where my passions lay and to be honest there were times I was so ill I couldn't practice.

I did it! I think it took me seven or eight years but I was a proud owner of a BA (Hons) Humanities Degree with Creative Writing and Music. I was so proud to have managed this.

Safeguarding Policy

Debbie Chatfield, Artist and Art Tutor is committed to safeguarding children.

This policy applies to myself ‘Debbie Chatfield – Artist and Art Tutor’ and anyone working or volunteering on my behalf.

Any questions regarding this policy should be sent by email to Debbie Chatfield at debs@debbiechatfield.co.uk or in writing to Pennine, Smithy Lane, Bradley, Staffordshire, UK, ST18 9DZ

Other links:

CEOP: www.ceop.police.uk

NSPCC: www.nspcc.org.uk 0808 800 5000

Who am I?

I’m Debbie Chatfield an Artist and Art Tutor; I operate as a Sole Trader in the United Kingdom and thus am also the Designated Safeguarding Officer for my business.

The purpose of this policy

  • To protect children and young people who receive Debbie Chatfield – Artist and Art Tutor’s services. This includes the children of adults who use my services.
  • To provide any volunteers or those working alongside me with the principles that guide my approach to safeguarding and child protection.

Debbie Chatfield – Artist and Art Tutor believes that a child or young person should never experience abuse of any kind.  I have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people and to keep them safe.  I am committed to practise in a way that protects them.

Legal Framework

This policy has been drawn up under the advice of the NSPCC and is drawn up on the basis of law and guidance that seeks to protect children, namely:

  • Children Act 1989
  • United Convention of the Rights of the Child 1991
  • Data Protection Act 1998
  • Human Rights Act 1998
  • Sexual Offences Act 2003
  • Children Act 2004
  • Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
  • Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
  • Children and Families Act 2014
  • General Data Protection Regulation May 2018

This policy should be read alongside my Privacy, Data Protection and Security Policy as well as my Photography Policy.

I recognise that:

  • the welfare of all children is paramount as enshrined in the Children Act 1989
  • some children are additionally vulnerable because of previous experience, dependency, communication needs or other issues.
  • working in partnership with children, young people and their parents or carers is essential.

I will seek to keep children and young people safe by:

  • valuing them, listening to them and respecting them
  • applying a code of conduct
  • adhering to e-safety policy, see separate photography and privacy policies
  • ensuring all necessary checks are made
  • recording and storing information effectively, see privacy policy
  • share concerns with children, young people, parents and agencies where considered necessary
  • maintaining an anti-bullying environment
  • ensuring a safe physical environment through health and safety measures
  • I run an adult class but if a young person wishes to join the class they must be appropriately supervised e.g. parents need to bring and pick up from class (one of my classes is in the evening and finishes at 9 pm)

Changes to this policy

Any changes I may make to this policy in the future will be posted on this website so please check this page occasionally to ensure that you’re happy with any changes. If I make any significant changes I’ll make this clear on this website.

Review of this Policy

I keep this policy under regular review. This policy was last updated in August 2020.

'Creativity makes me smile, I feel lucky every day to be able to do what I do'


New Art Studio

Then 2020 happened, my student numbers dropped and I had to go onto Zoom.

I focused on creating my own art studio, we had our garage converted, you can see it on YouTube... this is where I now paint my own art and run workshops from my lovely village (Bradley) in rural Staffordshire,, UK.

Paint with Debs

I now am also very fortunate to have beautiful grandchildren and it is important to me to balance work and family. My health has improved a lot but occasionally it still trips me up. Lockdown was hard, I lost students but it showed me there could be another way I could share what I know online, I started Paint with Debs online.

And for me sharing is the most important thing about my art, I am trying to connect the wonders of life through my work and that connection includes sharing what I do as well as what I paint.

So what my illness taught me was to observe and appreciate life way more, it's what I want for you too. During the very poorly times I couldn't get out so the outdoors means a lot to me and the more I painted the more I realised the little things are so important and I want to capture them.

For those of you who want to paint I want to share the joy of capturing a moment in life with you too.

The joy of capturing on canvas is what I want to share with you.

I believe everyone is an artist, ask any child they are already artists but somewhere we lose ourselves. If you have always wanted to be an artist, need techniques to help you along the way or simply want to find out who you are, who is the inner artist within you and you want to find your style then I will help you to do that.

But if you simply want to experience the joy of the wonder's of life on a canvas then this is what I truly share. I want you to benefit from my experience,

The illness made me appreciate life, connection and how precious that is. So what I share on canvas is my view of the little moments and I love it! I want to bring those uplifting moments into your home to bring you that feeling of joy and wonder that nature offers... I want to bring the outside in!