NORTH DEVON THEATRES’ PROTECTION POLICY FOR CHILDREN AND VULNERABLE ADULTS

North Devon Theatres Protection Policy for Children and Vulnerable Adults

North Devon Theatres recognises the responsibility of the organisation to protect minors and vulnerable adults whilst participating in theatre activities.

We acknowledge that all members of staff, tutors, hirers and workshop leaders, carry a responsibility towards children and vulnerable adults, particularly with regard to child protection issues.

Workshops

No workshops for under 8s will run for longer than 2 hours without the presence of a qualified childminder/nursery nurse
All workshop practitioners will be CRB checked and/or conduct their workshop in the company of a licensed chaperone/matron
The parents of all workshop participants should sign a declaration of permission for photographic and recorded images to be used for publicity if applicable.
The parents of all young people taking part in extended workshops or week long projects organised by North Devon Theatres will be asked to sign a parental consent form prior to the project.

Performances by hirers and visiting companies

No child shall take part in a performance without an appropriate licence or exemption certificate
No children shall take part in a performance unless they are supervised by a licensed matron/chaperone. A CRB certificate does not qualify as a licence to chaperone children, full licences should be obtained from the Department of Education Welfare
The parents of all child performers should sign a declaration of permission for photographic and recorded images to be used for publicity purposes
No children shall be individually named on images used on North Devon Theatre‘s website
No child’s details shall be released to any member of the public
No parents are allowed in the backstage areas unless they are a licensed chaperone with the sole purpose to safe guard the physical and morale wellbeing of the children in the performance
It is the policy of North Devon Theatres to uphold regulations laid down by the Department of Education Welfare. North Devon Theatres will ask for copies of licenses and exemption certificates for all children taking part in a performance.
Peformances involving children shall not take place except under the provisions of the Child Performance regulations. Children aged under 13 must leave the place of performance/rehearsal within 30 minutes of the end of their performance or 10:00pm whichever is earlier. Children over 13 must leave the place of performance/rehearsal by 10:30pm.
A child should not be present at the theatre for either rehearsal or peformance before 10:00am or 14 hours after the end of his/her last involvement in a performance or rehearsal the preceding evening
No child should be present at place of rehearsal or performance for more than 6 hours in one day
No performance should exceed 3½ hours in duration and each child shall not perform for more than 2½ during each performance
There should be a break of 1½ hours between each performance/rehearsal period in one day
No child shall take part in more than 2 rehearsals or performances or be present at the place of rehearsal or performance for more than 6 hours in one day
There shall be at least one licensed chaperone for every 12 children
No child may share a dressing room with a child of the opposite sex or with adults
No payment shall be made to any child for his/her performance
Where a performance involves minors or vulnerable adults photography and video recording of the performance will be strictly prohibited. Where an organisation has obtained photographic consent from parents/guardians, the performances may be recorded by one officially nominated person who should carry an identification/media pass – you should also advise the Education Office of your intention to record so this can be cleared through other departments within the organisation.

Duties of the licensed chaperone:

Children should be met at the stage door and signed into the building.
Children should remain together in separate gender dressing rooms
Children to be escorted on and off stage by a chaperone (additional chaperones may be needed for this purpose)
Children to be escorted to and from toilet facilities (additional chaperone may be needed for this purpose)
Chaperones are to know where the children in their care are at all times
Children are not to leave the company of the chaperones unless in the company of their parents. Over 13s (in groups of 2 or more) may leave chaperones during lunch/dinner breaks where written consent has been obtained from the parents
At no time should chaperones allow children into adult dressing rooms
Chaperones should be aware of the venue’s fire safety arrangements
Chaperones should be aware of first aid procedures in the venue and provide their own first aid kits and book to duplicate incidents
Chaperones should ensure that any accidents are reported to the management
Chaperones should have written arrangements for the collection of children from rehearsals/performances. If someone different is to collect a child a telephone call be made to parent/guardian to confirm. No child should be allowed to travel home unaccompanied in a taxi.
If a parent has not collected a child it is the duty of the chaperone to stay with that child or to make arrangements to take that child home

School productions may be exempt from licensing only when the rehearsal/performance is being produced as part of or within the guidelines of the national curriculum.

Teachers do not automatically qualify as chaperones. Even though they may hold an enhanced CRB check, they will not have been interviewed by Education Welfare and therefore may not be aware all procedures and policies.

Scout and Guide organisations though not under the supervision of Education Welfare must adhere to the Theatres’ Child Protection policy.

Where a staff member or tutor has concerns regarding possible child abuse, they should inform the Chaperone in charge of the children, the Theatres’ Education Officer or the workshop leader. Concerns could be significant and should be passed on.

The contact details for Education Welfare are:

Education Welfare Office
Bradninch Hall
Castle Street
Exeter
EX4 3PJ

Tel: 01392 383948

The Devon County Council web site has some information on licences and who to contact and under what circumstances.

The Buckinghamshire County Council's web site has a particularly comprehensive section on Children in Performances which you might find useful. It includes downloadable record sheets and guidance documents.

For further information, more specific to North Devon Theatres, call Carol Turner, Education Officer 01271 865 655 or .