Bromley Little Theatre comprises Bromley Little Theatre Ltd, a registered charity, and Bromley Little Theatre Playgoers’ Club, a members’ club.
It is the policy of Bromley Little Theatre that the welfare of the children and young people is paramount regardless of age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious beliefs and/or sexual identity and that everyone who may use or visit the theatre, has a right to protection from physical, sexual and emotional abuse. Children and young people are defined as under the age of 18. We also acknowledge our responsibilities in respect of adult volunteers or visitors who might be deemed to be ‘at risk’ because they are ‘vulnerable’. (A Vulnerable Adult is defined in accordance with The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) (Amendment) Order 2002 as a person aged 18 or over who has a condition of the following type: (i) a substantial learning or physical disability; (ii) a physical or mental illness or mental disorder, chronic or otherwise, including an addiction to alcohol or drugs; or (iii) a significant reduction in physical or mental capacity.
Bromley Little Theatre is fully committed to safeguarding the welfare of all children, young people and vulnerable adults. It recognises its responsibility to take all reasonable steps to promote best practice and to protect children from harm, abuse and exploitation.
Bromley Little Theatre acknowledges its duty to act appropriately to any allegations, reports or suspicions of abuse. Its volunteers will Endeavour to work together to encourage the development of an ethos that embraces difference and diversity and respects the rights of all children, young people and adults.
Develop best practice in relation to the recruitment of such volunteers. Bromley Little Theatre is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for children, volunteer staff and visitors and promoting a climate where children and adults will feel confident about sharing any concerns which they may have about their own safety or the well-being of others.
Provide opportunities for volunteers to develop their skill and knowledge particularly in relation to the care and protection of children and young people and adults at risk.
Ensure that children and young people are enabled to express their ideas and views on a wide range of issues in connection with the theatre’s services.
Facilitate involvement of parents or carers in the work of the theatre and make child protection procedures available to them.
Endeavour to keep up-to-date with national developments relating to the care and protection of children and young people.
Take seriously any allegation or suspicion of abuse towards a child with whom Bromley Little Theatre is in contact and recognise that any child can be subject to abuse and that any matter arising from this will be dealt with appropriately following a clear set of procedures.
Ensure that volunteers who are in positions of trust in respect of children and young people, are aware of the law relating to sexual activity with under 18’s.
Particular vigilance will be exercised in respect of children and young people who could be vulnerable by virtue of disability, special educational needs, homelessness, refugee/asylum seeker status, the effects of substance abuse within the family, those who are young carers and those who are ‘looked after’ or ‘in the care’ of a Local Authority. In addition we acknowledge that children who are affected by abuse or neglect may demonstrate their needs and distress through their words, actions, behaviour, demeanour or other children. We will work hard to promote a strong positive ethos through our theatre activities and will have high expectations of the behaviour expected of all participants.
All volunteers are responsible for the operation of the Child Protection Policy and they should act upon any concern no matter how small or trivial it may seem.
All volunteers recognise the position of trust in which they have been placed.
In every respect, employees and volunteers ensure that the relationships they form with children and young people are appropriate.
In cases where there is an allegation or suspicion of child abuse, the Designated Person(s) will take steps immediately to ensure that no child or adult is placed in a position which could cause further compromise.
Any allegation or suspicion of child abuse is reported to the appropriate authorities. The first port of call for advice and /or a referral to Children’s Social Care is the 24 hour help desk within Bromley Council 020-8464-3333 or the Multi-agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) for the local authority area in which the child lives.
Bromley Little Theatre will work with the appropriate local agencies, in particular Bromley Children’s Services and the local Police, to ensure that children are safeguarded through the effective operation of Bromley Little Theatre’s child protection procedures.
Bromley Little Theatre is committed to reviewing our policy and good practice at regular intervals.
All volunteers working at Bromley Little Theatre are required to report instances of actual or suspected child abuse to the Designated Person(s) with responsibility for child protection.
When an individual concern/incident is brought to the notice of the Designated Person(s), they will seek advice from Bromley Council’s 24 hour help desk in relation to child protection issues.
responsibility of the theatre, parents will be notified of this as soon as possible.
The Management Board and The Playgoers’ Committee have formally adopted this policy and will review its content annually or sooner if there are any legislative changes or new good practice guidance.
The Management Board and the Club Committee will receive an annual report from the designated person(s) to monitor both the volume and progress of cases where a concern has been raised to ensure that the theatre is meeting its duties in respect of safeguarding.