Governance
& Accountability
TYC Arts & Education CIC is a youth-led arts organisation operating for the benefit of children and young people across Portsmouth and the wider Solent region. We exist to provide inclusive, meaningful creative opportunities that support confidence, wellbeing, connection and progression.
As a Community Interest Company, we are committed to operating transparently, responsibly and in the long-term interests of the communities we serve. Our governance structures ensure that income is reinvested into our work, decisions are made ethically, and young people’s voices remain central to how the organisation develops.
Our Community Purpose
TYC Arts & Education CIC was established to deliver creative learning opportunities and experiences for children and young people aged 5–25, particularly those who may face barriers to accessing the arts.
Our work includes:
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year-round creative programmes in drama, film and the arts
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school partnerships and curriculum-linked creative workshops
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public performances, youth-led projects and community collaborations
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school holiday programmes offering safe, creative spaces outside term time
Across all activity, we prioritise:
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positive mental wellbeing
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confidence, communication and social connection
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creative exploration and learning over perfection
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access, inclusion and meaningful participation
Any financial surplus generated by the organisation is reinvested directly into our programmes and community activity.
Why We Became a CIC
TYC Arts & Education CIC grew out of The Young Creatives, a youth-led arts and wellbeing organisation with a strong track record of supporting children and young people through creative practice.
As the organisation grew in reach, responsibility and impact, becoming a CIC enabled us to:
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formalise accountability and governance
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protect our youth-led ethos
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manage growth responsibly
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work transparently with funders and partners
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ensure income is reinvested for community benefit
Operating as a CIC allows us to balance creativity with responsibility, while remaining rooted in our original purpose.
TYC Arts & Education CIC is overseen by a board of directors who hold legal and financial responsibility for the organisation. The board provides strategic oversight, ensures compliance with CIC regulations and supports the organisation’s long-term sustainability.
Governance includes:
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executive and non-executive directors
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appropriate financial oversight
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clear roles and responsibilities
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management of conflicts of interest
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regular review of governance and policies
Further details about our directors, facilitators and youth leadership structures can be found on our Meet the Team page.
Leadership, Oversight & Responsibilty
Youth Voice & Shared Decision-Making
Youth voice is embedded throughout TYC Arts & Education CIC.
Young people are actively involved in:
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shaping programmes and projects
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contributing to decision-making
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mentoring and supporting peers
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taking on leadership, production and creative roles
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influencing the future direction of the organisation
This includes a dedicated Youth Board and opportunities for young people to develop skills in leadership, planning, evaluation and creative responsibility. We believe this fosters ownership, pride and real-world learning while ensuring the organisation remains responsive to the needs of young people.
Safeguarding, Care & Inclusion
The safety, wellbeing and dignity of children and young people are central to all TYC activity.
We are committed to:
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robust safeguarding policies and procedures
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clear reporting and escalation processes
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safe working practices across all programmes
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appropriate training and oversight for staff, freelancers and volunteers
We are especially committed to supporting young people from low-income families and neurodiverse young people, and we continue to develop our practice to ensure access, inclusion and equity remain at the heart of our work.
TYC Arts & Education CIC’s safeguarding practice is subject to regular external scrutiny. Our safeguarding procedures are reviewed in line with guidance from the Portsmouth Safeguarding Children Partnership, with formal reviews taking place at least every two years.
Our safeguarding and child protection policies are also reviewed regularly by local authorities as part of licensing processes for performances involving children. This ensures our practice remains current, robust and compliant with local and national safeguarding standards.
Policies are reviewed regularly and available on request.
Accountability & Transparency
As a Community Interest Company, TYC Arts & Education CIC:
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operates on a not-for-private-profit basis
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reinvests income into community activity
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complies with CIC regulations and reporting requirements
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is accountable to young people, families, partners and funders
We do not operate as a political party or campaigning organisation, and our work is delivered solely for community benefit.
Governing Documents
TYC Arts & Education CIC is committed to operating transparently, responsibly and in line with best practice. The following governing documents guide how the organisation is run and how decisions are made.
The documents below are reviewed regularly and are available on request.
Core documents include:
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CIC36 Community Interest Statement
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Articles of Association
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Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy
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Health & Safety Policy
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Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy
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Code of Conduct (including staff, freelancers and volunteers)
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Complaints & Whistleblowing Procedure
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Data Protection & Privacy Policy
Where appropriate, documents are shared with partners, funders and stakeholders to support accountability and safe delivery.