Safeguarding policy LBCT Safeguarding the welfare of children and young people
Leighton Buzzard Children’s Theatre (LBCT) recognises the unique status of children and young people and seeks to ensure that they are respectfully treated as individuals.
All workers/ volunteers within LBCT accept that the welfare of the child is paramount.
It is a primary commitment to provide the children of LBCT with safeguarding whilst participating in our activities.
LBCT Safeguarding Children Policy is implemented for all children, regardless of age, disability, gender or ethnic origin. It puts the welfare of the child first and states that all children have a right to be protected from all forms of harm, abuse, neglect and exploitation.
The welfare of children is paramount in all the work we do and in all the
• decisions we take
• working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and
• other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare
• all children, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation have an equal right to 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
• extra safeguards may be needed to keep children who are additionally vulnerable safe from abuse
THE PURPOSE OF THIS POLICY IS TO:
Provide the Principal, Assistants, Chaperones, Volunteers, Parents and Students with the over arching framework and principles that guide our approach to Safeguarding.
We will seek to keep children and young people safe by:
• valuing, listening to and respecting them
• appointing a nominated child protection lead for children and young people, a deputy and a lead for safeguarding
• adopting child protection and safeguarding best practice through our policies, procedures and code of conduct for staff and volunteers
• developing and implementing an effective online safety policy and related procedures
• providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support, training and quality assurance measures so that all staff and volunteers know about and follow our policies, procedures and behaviour codes confidently and
competently. Recruiting and selecting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made
• recording and storing and using information professionally and securely, in line with data protection legislation and guidance
• sharing information about safeguarding and good practice with children and their families via leaflets, posters, group work and one-to-one discussions
• making sure that children, young people and their families know where to go for help if they have a concern
• using our safeguarding and child protection procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know, and involving children, young people, parents, families and carers appropriately
• using our procedures to manage any allegations against staff and volunteers appropriately
• creating and maintaining an anti-bullying environment and ensuring that we have a policy and procedure to help us deal effectively with any bullying that does arise
• ensuring that we have effective complaints and whistleblowing measures in place
• ensuring that we provide a safe physical environment for our children, young people, staff and volunteers, by applying health and safety measures in accordance with the law and regulatory guidance
• building a safeguarding culture where staff and volunteers, children, young people and their families, treat each other with respect and are comfortable about sharing concerns.
LBCT will ensure that arrangements are in place to safeguard and promote the welfare of children by:
Ensuring a safe environment where children feel secure, enable them to learn and encouraged to talk and are listened to.
Equipping the LBCT team with the ability to identify signs of Physical, Emotional, Neglect, Sexual and Peer on Peer Abuse
Support children to recognise risks of both face to face and online abuse.
Ensure all the LBCT team understand their responsibilities in identifying and reporting abuse.
Ensure safe recruitment practices and safe working practice are in place and followed.
REPORTING A CONCERN
The Designated Safeguarding Lead is Sally Allsopp and Designated Safeguarding Deputy is Hayley Green
It is their responsibility to ensure the safeguarding of all students and adults within the LBCT Community.
It is their responsibility to keep informed and updated of any legal or legislation changes in regards to safeguarding. This is reviewed annually.
Should you have any concerns, be it a child, family or adult within the LBCT Community you are asked to communicate with either Sally or Hayley
Sally- 07729155450 sally@lbct.org
Hayley- 07450505953 thehayley35@gmail.com
It is the responsibility of LBCT’s DSL's to follow up on any concerns highlighted to them.
Useful agencies that can be contacted to support -
MASH - Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub - 0300 126 7000
NSPCC Helpline - 0808 800 5000
CHILDLINE - 0800 1111
WHISTLE BLOWING HELPLINE - 0800 028 0285
Sally Allsopp formed her theatre with the express intention of presenting charity productions whilst providing a theatrical learning environment for local children. In its attempt to promote musical theatre and dramatic performance, children between the ages of 6 and 18 are accepted into the group for rehearsals and to take part in shows and community events. Weekly sessions are held for each separate age group as well as stand-alone skills workshops. Here the children experience many aspects of theatre including drama games, improvisation, stagecraft and singing. Whilst some prominence is given to producing shows, the theatre tries to acknowledge the needs of individual children and encourages fun, enjoyment and the thrill of working together. Therefore, skills such as communication, team-building and speech/movement co-ordination are also emphasised.
The theatre supports a several charities. The main charity it supports is Macmillan Cancer Support. This is an absolutely fundamental aspect of the theatres purpose and mission. This alignment of charity and entertainment is considered a potent influence for good on the members of the group. Children are welcome to apply for membership when there is an vacancy, otherwise they are added to a waiting list. There is some cross-over of groups at the discretion of the principle, for example in the case of brothers & sisters. All members pay fees for workshops and rehearsals.
It is difficult to commit to two theatre groups at once, just like football teams and members often find that rehearsals for different groups will clash and cause a dilemma to member and director. When children reach year 10 of their school years they are asked to commit to only one of the towns youth theatre groups as after this time pressure of schoolwork can affect students performance. This can be reviewed when a pupil starts full time employment or joins the sixth form.
LBCT encourage members to take dance lessons and have a list of recommended schools locally which share the ethos of LBCT.
There are major productions every few months and smaller community events more frequently. The major productions are supported by a production team made up from friends and parents. The theatre organises trips and outings from time to time. Any members wishing to take advantage would be expected to cover their costs of the activity. The theatre contributes to its selected charity any income which is not required to cover any reasonable expenses. The theatre does not register as a charity because this would restrict the amount it could contribute to an external charity. LBCT is owned and run by Sally Allsopp. In this role she is helped by various groups and individuals which exist at her discretion:
The two main groups which control the running of the theatre are the:
The Executive Committee This team comprises Principal, Secretary and Treasurer and is responsible for all the administrative affairs of the theatre. It will meet once a month to discuss relevant business items. This will include bookings, grants and applications for grants, donations, subscriptions, funds, publicity, fund-raising, community liaison and the selection of theatre helpers. It is non-elected.
The Artistic Committee This team comprises Principal, Musical Director and Rehearsal Assistant and is responsible for the operation of the theatre during rehearsals and shows. In this job it will have the support of the following groups:
Production Team Assembled from willing helpers, friends and parents specifically to resource the presentation of shows from time to time. All matters relevant to these occasions are dealt with as a standard theatrical production team under a single producer.
Rehearsal Pianist Contracted to support the rehearsal schedule and to contribute fully to the overall operation of the rehearsal staff. Expenses only paid from time to time if needed.
Youth Helpers Volunteers for each of the sections. The role provides opportunity for working with children and experience in running a children's theatre work.
Children are asked to wear sensible clothing to rehearse in if possible and footwear should be flexible and soft. (plimsolls, ballet shoes, jazz shoes if possible) Children in Mini and CT groups are expected to wear red theatre t-shirt to rehearsals. Children are admitted to the LBCT at the age of 6 to 18 years of age. Children are admitted to either of the groups dependent of their age. Children may bring a drink and a snack to rehearsals which can be consumed in the official break. Chewing gum is not permitted.
Children are encouraged to take part in all suitable activities with LBCT and as such are encouraged not to take part in other local drama clubs which meet weekly as this often causes a rehearsal dilemma to member and director. When children reach year 10 of their school years they are asked to commit solely to one theatre group if possible as pressure of schoolwork and split loyalties mean they can only function positively in one such group. This can be reviewed if a member leaves full time education or if a member stays within the theatre structure after the age of 18. Basically they will be too busy with us to have time for two groups. We see our group as a training organisation and believe that the work we do with individuals should benefit our group and the local community. Children are expected to treat the adults they work with and their peers with respect and are encouraged to realise that theatre does not work without co-operation. We operate a verbal warning system which is followed up by verbal conversation with parents if we believe a child is continually behaving in an inappropriate manner. If after this a member still acts in an inappropriate way we will ask the child to leave.
We are not responsible for members personal property and all bikes must be locked during rehearsals. All members must fill out a membership form and medical details form with emergency contact numbers. We encourage each child to fulfil his or her own aims within her ability and will encourage and help any individual where possible to find suitable training when leaving the children's theatre either for new location or further education. The Children's Theatre does not act as an agent for any individual but will encourage any individual suitable if a professional audition opportunity arise, parents must be expected to meet necessary expenses. We aim to involve as many children as possible in every event. Costumes are provided by the theatre for individuals for productions but all are expected to provide the basic blacks:
As well as producing one large scale production a year per section we take part in various smaller events. Community events are often limited in numbers of participants and those involved are asked at the discretion of The Director. Parents are encouraged to help in the production team and all offers of help are welcomed. Children are not usually put through an audition procedure but casting takes place through workshop sessions judged by director and often a neutral visitor. The Directors decision is final.
Parents are asked to advise us of absence, any child failing to advise us of absence and being absent for more than two sessions can be recast by The Director. Extra rehearsals are called by The Directive as and when necessary. Principals involved in a large scale production can expect two rehearsals a week and must be available to attend extra rehearsals when necessary, given reasonable notice.
Children's Theatre should be fun, educational and fulfilling to all involved. It is hard work and all members must be able to commit time both during rehearsals and for line learning, costume calls and so on.