The Oxford Improv Festival

Policies and procedures

Applies to all workshop leaders, teachers and facilitators at the Oxford Improv Festival (OIF).

The OIF is committed to creating a collaborative, respectful, safe and welcoming environment for performers, participants, audiences, staff and volunteers. By teaching at OIF, you agree to abide by this Code of Conduct, alongside the policies of our host venue, the Old Fire Station (OFS).

1. Relationship to OFS Policies

All teachers must comply with:

• The OFS Building Code of Conduct
• The OFS Safeguarding Adults Policy (as in force at the time of the festival)

This Code sits in addition to, not instead of, OFS policies.

2. Respect and Inclusion

There is no place at OIF for discrimination, harassment or abuse of any kind. This includes, but is not limited to:

• sexism, racism, ableism, ageism, classism
• homophobia, transphobia, fatphobia, religious discrimination
• bullying, intimidation, harassment or violence (verbal, physical or sexual).

Teachers are expected to act with patience, kindness and professionalism at all times.

3. Professional Boundaries

• Respect physical and sexual boundaries at all times.
• There is zero tolerance for sexual harassment.
• Students attend workshops to learn improv, not to be pursued socially or romantically.
• Avoid one-to-one situations where you are alone with a single participant
• Do not separate participants into private conversations where this could create risk or discomfort

4. Teaching Practice

• Teach from a place of care, emotional intelligence and respect.
• Handle difficult subject matter with sensitivity and awareness of impact.
• Do not place students or yourself in physically dangerous situations.
• Teachers must be in control of themselves at all times. No drug use before workshops.

5. Creating a Safe Environment

Teachers share responsibility for creating an environment free from harassment, on and off stage. If you witness or are informed of behaviour that concerns you, you are expected to raise it.

6. Breaches of the Code

If OIF becomes aware of a breach of this Code, it will investigate and take appropriate action. This may include removal from teaching duties or exclusion from the festival.

Applies to all performers appearing at the Oxford Improv Festival (OIF).

The OIF aims to create a collaborative, respectful, safe and welcoming environment for everyone. By performing at OIF, you agree to abide by this Code of Conduct, alongside the policies of our host venue, the Old Fire Station (OFS).

1. Relationship to OFS Policies

All performers must comply with: The OFS Building Code of Conduct.

2. Respect and Inclusion

There is no place at OIF for discrimination, harassment or abuse of any kind, including:

• sexism, racism, ableism, ageism, classism
• homophobia, transphobia, fatphobia, religious discrimination
• bullying, intimidation, harassment or violence (verbal, physical or sexual).

Performers are expected to support one another, on and off stage.

3. On-Stage Safety and Consent

• Collaborate with your scene partner unless doing so would be unsafe or demeaning.
• Respect physical and sexual boundaries at all times.
• Do nothing physically dangerous to yourself or others.
• Handle difficult subject matter with emotional intelligence.
• Safety, trust and support are always more important than any scene.

If you feel unsafe, you are free to stop a performance and will not be penalised.

4. Conduct Off Stage

• Help create an environment free from harassment on and off stage.
• Performers must be in control of themselves at all times.
• No drug use or excessive drinking before performances or workshops.

5. Breaches of the Code

If OIF becomes aware of a breach of this Code, it will investigate and take appropriate action, which may include exclusion from further participation.

The teacher and perfomer codes of conduct are informed by the practices of The Collective Imagination Improv and Improv Utrecht, with thanks.

Raising concerns

If you have a concern during the festival:

• speak to a member of Old Fire Station (OFS) staff or
• speak to one of the OIF Directors or Co-Directors.

You may also submit a concern via the Oxford Improv Festival Anonymous Concern or Complaint Form.

All concerns will be handled sensitively and confidentially, and escalated to OFS safeguarding where appropriate.

OIF procedure for handling concerns and complaints

This procedure explains how the Oxford Improv Festival responds to concerns, complaints or breaches of the Code of Conduct.

1. Receiving a concern

Concerns may be raised:

• In person to OIF Directors/Co-Directors
• To Old Fire Station (OFS) staff
• Via the Oxford Improv Festival Anonymous Concern or Complaint Form.

2. Initial response

The Festival Director (or delegated Co-Director) will:

• listen without judgement
• record the concern
• assess whether immediate action is required
• determine whether the matter should be escalated to OFS safeguarding.

3. Safeguarding and escalation

Any safeguarding concern involving risk of harm will be referred immediately to:

• The Old Fire Station Safeguarding Officer, in line with OFS policy

OIF does not run a parallel safeguarding process.

4. Complaints involving Festival leadership

If a concern involves the Festival Director or a committee member:

• The matter will be handled by another Director or Co-Director.
• OFS safeguarding will be involved where appropriate.

5. Outcomes

Possible outcomes include:

• informal resolution
• clear behavioural expectations
• removal from a specific activity
• exclusion from the festival. 

6. Confidentiality

All concerns are handled confidentially, shared only on a need-to-know basis.

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