Policies/Procedures

Child Protection Policy

Version: 6.00
Published On: Wednesday 30 April 2025 at 5:47 pm
1 Background
a

The Young Theatre believes that it is always unacceptable for a child or young person to experience abuse of any kind and recognises its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children and young people, by a commitment to practise which protects them.
b

We recognise that:

i) the welfare of the child/young person is paramount

ii) all children regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity have the right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse

iii) working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare
2 The Policy
a This policy sets out the principals of safeguarding children within The Young Theatre. It is of relevance to staff, volunteers and clients of the organisation.
b This policy will be kept under review to ensure that it remains appropriate to The Young Theatre.
3 Commitment
a The Young Theatre is committed to the safety and well-being of all children and young people and takes the responsibility very seriously.
b At all times The Young Theatre will put the children and young people’s safety and wellbeing as a priority making sure to adhere to this policy at all times.
4 Training and Development
a The Young Theatre will make every attempt to keep up to date with appropriate training and development.
5 Child Protection Procedure
a Our prime concern will be the interests and safety of the children. In urgent situations, where immediate action is required, we will ensure that the child is safe while action is taken. On every occasion that any member of staff (or volunteer) has reason to suspect that a child has suffered abuse or is at risk of suffering abuse the designated child protection officer must be informed. The child protection officer will contact the appropriate commission for social care and inspection and local authority child protection officer who will advise on the next step(s).
b

An accurate record of all events is kept, stating the facts, times, explanations, and action taken.
c We will never give absolute guarantees of confidentiality to the child or any other person wishing to tell us something serious. All the information will be confidential to the minimum number of people who must be told in order to ensure that the proper action is taken in order to sort the problem out.
d

No promises of confidentiality will be given. When a referral is made to the local authority child protection office, the child protection officer will confirm in writing with the Governance Body the actions that have been taken. The local authority protection officers on accepting the referral become responsible for determining what action is to be taken including advising parents.
e It is not the responsibility of The Young Theatre to make enquiries or notify parents when abuse is suspected.
f On no account will physical examinations be made by staff.
g Verbal reports will be made immediately. Staff/volunteers will be made aware of the issues around child protection and responsibilities and policies. In the event of disclosure of alleged abuse the person disclosing will be protected from any retaliation or unnecessary stress and will be supported through the process.
h Advice will be sought when needed from social services about local procedures and practice. Staff/volunteers will be alert for any evidence of children becoming involved in prostitution, or of unauthorised persons picking up children, contacting children or observed trying to make contact with children outside the venue/home. This will be reported to the police.
i Staff members against whom an allegation is made are owed a duty of care and will be treated fairly, honestly and without discrimination. They will be provided with support throughout the process. The police and other relevant agencies should always agree jointly when to inform the subject of allegations which may be subject to criminal procedures. These procedures do not take away the right of the informant to report the matter directly to social services departments of if they believe an offence has been committed, the police.
6 Code of Practice
a

All should respect the rights, dignity and worth of all and treat everyone with equality.
b Always be publicly open when working with young people.
c Every Young Theatre session must have an adult in attendance to supervise and ensure that all relevant policies are adhered to.
d Separate dressing facilities will be provided for boys, girls and adults. The use of individual changing cubicles will also be utilised when performances take place at the Curzon Centre.
e Children will be supervised in the dressing room by appropriately trained and council approved adults with the adult/children ratio being the minimum required with at least two chaperones for the first 12 children.
f Children will be escorted to and from the stage, again with the correct ratio of children to chaperones.
g

There will be a minimum of one adult to every 12 children.
h Statutory hours of work and breaks will be adhered to.
i Situations where an adult and an individual child are completely unobserved should be avoided.
j

Wherever possible adults should not be alone in a vehicle with an individual child. If lifts are to be given adults are expected to drive in a safe and appropriate manner and in accordance with all relevant legislation.
k If physical contact is necessary, it should be done openly and in the company of another suitable adult.
l Adults should ensure that the activities, which they direct or advocate, are appropriate to the age, maturity and ability of the participants.
m Adults should consistently be aware of differing customs and cultural requirements
n

If an adult accidentally hurts a child, or causes distress in any manner, the adult should:
i) Report the incident to a member of the Presidency, Artistic Director or Operations Manager.
ii) Support with a brief written report of the incident as soon as possible.
7 Managing of Sensitive Information
a

The Young Theatre has a policy for the taking, using and storage of photographs or images of the members.
b Permission will be sought from the parents for use of photographic material featuring their children for promotional or other purposes.
c

The Young Theatre’s web-based materials and activities will be carefully monitored for inappropriate use.
d

YT will ensure confidentiality in order to protect the rights of its members, including the safe handling, storage and disposal of any sensitive information such as criminal record disclosures.
e Video filming of the members is not permitted without parental permission.
8 Parental Responsibility
a

All parents have the responsibility to collect (or arrange collection of) their children after workshops, rehearsals or performances in a timely fashion. It is NOT the responsibility of The Young Theatre to take the members’ home. The workshop leader/chaperone must stay until all the members have been collected.
b

Anyone collecting a child should be known to Young Theatre and have the appropriate parental/guardian approval to collect the child. Young Theatre should be made aware in advance that there are alternate collection arrangements for any given member.
9 Responsibilities
a

Child Protection is the responsibility of all adults involved in the running of Young Theatre with its sessions and performances.
b The implementation and policing of the adherence to this policy is specifically the responsibility of the President (currently Graham Southgate), Vice-President and Child Protection Officer (currently Helen Sharman) and 2nd Vice-President (Currently Helen Sendall).