Child Protection Policy

All at Brighton Little Theatre are committed to practices that protect children from harm.

Members and Volunteers in the Company recognize and accept our responsibilities to develop the awareness of the issues that may cause harm to children.

For the purpose of these policies and procedures, ‘child’ and ‘children’ refer to any person under the age of 18 years, or those whom are considered vulnerable.  

Purpose of the Policy:

  • To protect all children and young people who engage in any activity connected with Brighton Little Theatre;

  • To provide our adult members and volunteers with principles that guide our approach to child protection;

Legal Framework

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

  • Children (Performance and Activities) (England) Regulations 2014.

We recognise that:

  • The welfare of the child is paramount

  • All children, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity, have a right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse;

  • Some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues;

  • Working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare.

We will endeavour to safeguard children by:

  • Valuing them, listening to and respecting them.

  • Adopting child protection policies and guidelines through a code of behaviour for members and volunteers.

  • Sharing information about concerns with agencies who need to know and, as appropriate, involving parents and children.

  • Making all new members and volunteers working with Youth@TheLittle aware of our child protection procedures and policies.

  • Creating and maintaining an anti-bullying environment and ensuring that we have a policy and procedure to help us deal effectively with any bullying should it arise.

 We are committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually.

This policy was last reviewed on 29-04-2023.

Signed by L Ward, Chair

Identifying concerns

  • You may observe someone behaving inappropriately with a child;

  • A child may make allegations against a member, volunteer or another child;

  • Information may come to light about a member / volunteer’s home life that leads to concerns about their suitability to work with children;

  • It is important to carefully record and report all observations/allegations or suspicions of abuse as soon as possible to the BLT Health & Safety Officer. 

Procedure for raising concerns

  • If a member or volunteer finds him or herself the subject of inappropriate affection or attention from a child, they should report this to the designated person immediately;

  • If a member or volunteer has any concerns relating to the welfare of a child in their care, be it concerns about actions/behaviours of another member or volunteer or concerns based on any conversation with the child; particularly where the child makes an allegation, they should report this to a designated person without delay. Such allegations should then be flagged up by the designated person to the BLT Health and Safety Officer.

 Guidelines for reporting concerns

  • The Health & Safety Officer will, as necessary, refer any relevant matter(s) to the Local Authorities for advice and guidance. At this point, you need to talk to the child so that they understand what it happening. Parental permission must be sought unless this might place the child at risk. Explain to the child that you cannot promise confidentiality.

  • If the situation is urgent, take action to protect the child which may involve calling the police, an ambulance or Brighton & Hove Social Services, via the Health & Safety Officer. 

Recruitment guidelines for volunteers.

  • All members and volunteers who work directly with children will be checked under the Disclosure Barring Service. The DBS certification will be held on file at BLT;

  • DBS certificates will be reviewed on a three yearly basis;

  • Any member or volunteer who refuses to be checked or fails a check will not be permitted to supervise children.

 Safe working practices and agreed staff behaviours

 All those working with children must:

  • Encourage children to feel comfortable enough to report attitudes or behaviour they do not like;

  • Act with discretion with regards to their personal relationships. They should ensure their personal relationships do not affect their leadership role within the company;

  • Refrain from consuming alcohol for a period of at least 12 hours prior to assuming responsibility for any child or children;

  • Be aware of the procedures for reporting concerns or incidents, and should familiarise themselves with the contact details of the designated persons.

 All those working with children should not:

  • Spend excessive amounts of time alone with children, away from others.  Meetings with individual children should be avoided or take place within sight of others.  If privacy is needed, the door should remain open and other members or volunteers should be aware of the meeting;

  • Make unnecessary physical contact with children.  However, there may be occasions when physical contact is unavoidable such as physical support in teaching moves or similar.  In all such cases contact should only take place with the consent of the child;

  • Take children alone in a car, however short the journey.  Where this is unavoidable, it should be with the full knowledge and consent of the parents (or guardians);

  • Meet children outside of organised activities, unless it is with the knowledge and consent of the parents and the person in charge of the event;

  • Start an investigation or question anyone after an allegation or concern has been raised. This is the job of the authorities. You should just record the facts and report these to the Health & Safety Officer.

  • Ever (even in fun) –

o   Initiate or engage in sexually provocative conversations or activity;

o   Allow the use of inappropriate language to go unchallenged;

o   Do things of a personal nature for children that they can do themselves;

o   Allow any allegations made by a child to go unreported/ unaddressed, or either trivialise or exaggerate reported child abuse issues;

o   Make promises to keep any disclosure confidential from relevant authorities;

o   Show favoritism to any one child;

o   Issue or threaten any form of physical punishment.

Photographic, video recording and mobile phone camera must not be used in changing areas, toilets. Written parental permission is required for all filming or photography.

Child protection training for all adults working with children.

  • All members and volunteers who work with children will be under the supervision of a Licensed Chaperone. The Chaperone will ensure that they are aware of their responsibilities as detailed in this policy.

  • All members and volunteers who work with children, including the Licensed Chaperone, will be expected to sign a copy of this policy which will remain on file. Annual recertification is required.