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Centre Stage Theatre Company Policies

Child Protection Policy

Equal Opportunities Policy

Health and Safety Policy Statement

Child Protection Policy

1. Introduction

The Centre Stage Theatre Company recognises that when children are involved in the activities of the company it has a responsibility to ensure that the welfare of the children is always paramount. All children have the right of protection from abuse.
Centre Stage Theatre Company is committed to the principle of promoting the health and welfare of children by providing opportunities for them to take part in the activities of the company safely.
Centre Stage Theatre Company holds child protection as a core belief and seeks to ensure that its policies and practices comply with the relevant legislation.

2. Objectives

To ensure that all children who take part in the activities of the company enjoy a safe and secure environment.
To ensure that members understand the issues surrounding child protection.

3. Code of Practice

The company and its members will respect and promote the rights wishes and feelings of children.
The company will implement appropriate procedures to safeguard the well being of children and protect them from abuse.
All company members have a responsibility to report any concerns to the Management Committee who respond swiftly and appropriately.
The company will require its members to adopt and abide by this Child Protection Policy.

4. Responsibility

The Management Committee has overall responsibility for the development and implementation of child protection policies for members.
The Management Committee is responsible for monitoring,evaluating and reviewing the policy and its day-to-day operation.
All members shall be made aware of the terms of the Child Protection Policy and procedure to be followed if they feel that a problem has arisen.

5. Procedure for dealing with concerns.

The designated ChildProtection person is .............................

The deputy Child Protection person is....................................

Any concerns should be reported to the designated person and are kept confidentially within the governing committee.

If a child makes an allegation (hint!) of abuse it is important that members listen and record details (name/time/date/to whom referred/brief outline of allegation/action of how you dealt with the problem) later (not in front of the child). You must not promise confidentiality but say that you can help. Say as little as possible yourself and do not lead any questioning. (i.e."Was it your father who hit you?2 or put ideas into the child's mind "Did he use a belt?" -it must be the child's own story.) Be patient.
If there is an allegation of abuse about any member of the company it must be reported immediately to the child protection person (or deputy) and them referred straight away to the governing committee.
As a society member make sure you never put yourself into a compromising position or situation. Thus protecting yourself from any possible allegations.
Confidentiality at all times but do not act alone. Always consult the designated person or deputy for advice.
Other contact details in case of problems. The parents (unless one of them is the potential abuser) The school (they might hae had similar information). Social Services or the Police.
Remember there are different types of abuse. Physical/emotional/sexual/neglect. It is every adults responsibility to make sure that a child is protected at all times.

Equal Opportunities Policy

1. Introduction

Centre Stage Theatre Company is committed to the principle of equal opportunity for all
Centre Stage Theatre Company holds equality of opportunity as a core belief and seeks to ensure that its policies and practices comply with the relevant legislation.

It is our policy that members and patrons and the community in general should be treated fairly and equally in all matters.

2. Objectives

To ensure that all members and patrons are treated with equal respect.
To ensure that Centre Stage Theatre Company activities are open and accessible to all people.
To ensure that members understand the issues surrounding discrimination and equality of opportunity.
To seek to use premises which are accessible and welcoming to all sections of the community within the aims and resources of the Company.

3. Code of Practice

Everyone will be treated with dignity and respect.
Harassment, abuse or intimidation will not be tolerated. If an incident cannot be resolved by way of an acceptable apology and an undertaking that the offence will not be repeated, the matter will be reported to the Management Committee and appropriate action taken. In a case involving a member this may mean cancellation of their membership of the Society.

4. Responsibility

The Management Committee has overall responsibility for the development and implementation of equal opportunities policies for members.
The Management Committee is responsible for monitoring, evaluating and reviewing the policy and its day-to-day operation.

5. Implementation of the Policy

All members shall be made aware of the terms of the Equal Opportunities Policy and the procedures to be followed if they feel that they have been discriminated against.

6. Harassment

Sexual harassment based on gender or sexual orientation and which is unreasonable, unwelcome or offensive to the individual is unacceptable.
Members are expected to avoid and discourage actions such as those given below which is neither an exhaustive nor exclusive list of examples of sexual harassment:

Unwelcome sexual attentions

Suggestions that sexual favours may bring an advantage or refusal may hinder it

Lewd, suggestive or over-familiar behaviour

Behaviour based on a hostile or offensive act or expression by a person or persons of one ethnic origin, against a person or persons of another, and includes any incitement of others to commit such an act will be regarded as racial harassment.
Members of Centre Stage Theatre Company are expected to avoid and discourage actions such as those given below which is neither an exhaustive nor exclusive list of examples or racial harassment

Physical assault for racial motives

Verbal abuse and threats of a racist nature

Racist insults, jokes or graffiti

Racist comments

Refusal to co-operate with people because of their ethnic origins Ridicule of an individual's cultural difference

Wearing, carrying distribution or attempted distribution of racist material

7. Marketing and publicity

Any Centre Stage Theatre Company publicity material will comply fully with the spirit and intention of the Equal Opportunities Policy. The aim of publicity material will be to promote the widest public participation in the activities of the Society.

Sep 2008

Health and Safety Policy Statement

This is the Health and Safety Policy Statement of Centre Stage Theatre Company.

Our statement of general policy is:

To provide adequate control of the health and safety risks arising from the activities of the Society.
To consult with our members on matters affecting their health and safety.
To provide and maintain safe equipment.
To ensure safe handling and use of substances.
To provide information, instruction and supervision for members.
To ensure all members are competent to do tasks undertaken on behalf of the Company and to give them adequate training.
To prevent accidents.
To provide safe and healthy accommodation for Society activities.
To review and revise this policy as necessary at regular intervals.

Responsibilities

1. Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the General Committee of the Company.
2. All members have to:

Co-operate on health and safety matters with the person supervising them on any specific task.
Not interfere with anything provided to safeguard their health and safety.
Take reasonable care of their own health and safety.
Report all health and safety concerns to a member of the General Committee.

Health and safety risks arising from Society activities

Risk assessments will be undertaken by the appropriate individual concerned with the area of risk.
The findings of the risk assessments will be reported to the General Committee.
Action required to remove/control risks will be approved by the General Committee who will be responsible for ensuring the action required is implemented and will check that the implemented actions have removed/reduced the risks.
Assessments will be reviewed for each of the Company’s productions.

Consultation with members

Consultation is effected by direct communication between individual members and the General Committee.

Accidents and first aid

A first aid box will be available at all rehearsals and performances of the Company.
A qualified first aid person will be available at all performances by the Company and where practicable at rehearsals.
All accidents are to be recorded in an accident book which will be kept by the Secretary to the Company.

Monitoring

The General Committee will monitor the Company’s working environments and where necessary will report any concerns to the owner of premises.