THE MISSION THEATRE and NEXT STAGE THEATRE COMPANY

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY 2007

INTRODUCTION: The safety of children and vulnerable adults is paramount and all, without exception, have the right to protection from abuse. All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately. All the staff and members of The Mission Theatre and Next Stage Theatre Company have a responsibility to report concerns. Personnel with direct responsibility for working with children will be required to have a current CRB check undertaken via Next Stage’s umbrella organisation in this regard.

A copy of this Policy will be available on our websites.

TO WHOM DOES THIS POLICY APPLY: This policy relates to children under the age of 18 years. It also relates to vulnerable persons of any age identified by carers prior to their arrival at the theatre. This should be done by contacting the relevant liaison person. In recognising the needs of children from minority ethnic groups and children who are disabled, the theatre actively seeks to meet needs notified to the theatre by parents/guardians/carers and/or teachers. This policy also relates to Next Stage Theatre Company TIE (Theatre in Education) practitioners when they are participating in off-site activities.

YOUTH VISITORS: All visiting parties bringing or working with young people at The Mission Theatre will receive a copy of this Policy, and it is assumed that organisers will have obtained all necessary permissions from parents before making a visit to the theatre. Members of Next Stage Youth will receive a copy of this Policy.

THE MISSION THEATRE and NEXT STAGE PERSONNEL: Theatre and Next Stage personnel will be vigilant in monitoring areas where children and vulnerable adults are in attendance. They will challenge any adult/s in restricted or sensitive areas if they are not accompanying children or vulnerable adults. In the case of a problem, an authorised official may be approached for help. All problems will be taken seriously and will be documented and dated.

PERFORMANCE AREAS AND CHANGING AREAS: The theatre wishes to draw attention to the fact that areas such as toilets, changing rooms and warm-up areas needing to be used by visitors will be monitored as reasonably practicable by theatre personnel. It is expected that visiting children will be accompanied by a parent/guardian, teacher/carer, except in the case of Next Stage Youth, where the Next Stage Tutors will be in loco parentis. Single sex changing facilities will be provided where necessary.

PHOTOGRAPHS, VIDEOTAPES and PRESS PHOTOGRAPHY: The use of all cameras, audio or visual recoding equipment must be authorised by the theatre management if young people are performing. Before photos are published or placed on a website, wherever possible, parental permission will be sought. This Policy makes it clear that, where parents do not wish photos of their children to be taken and/or publicised, then the responsible theatre personnel will ensure that their wishes are respected.

THE LEGISLATION AND GUIDANCE THAT SUPPORTS THIS POLICY: The Children Act 1989; The Police Act 1997; The Data Protection Act 1998; The Human Rights Act 1998; The Protection of Children Act 1999; The Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000.

POLICY REVIEW: The Theatre managers will constantly review their policy, revising and enhancing it as necessary. In doing this they will look to Bath and North East Somerset Arts Development Officers for support and advice and the NSPCC and Arts Council of England for policy guidelines. They will seek to use best practice wherever that is to be found.