We aim to foster a fun, happy and safe environment to inspire our young people to develop their creative abilities and gain confidence, self-esteem and community values. While we don’t have pages of rule, we recognise the importance of core guidelines as a foundation of our success in creating a safe, fair and enjoyable culture and climate.
We ask all our performers and students, their parents and guardians, our tutors, employees, volunteers and creatives to follow our behaviour agreement.
In addition, contractors, creatives, employees and volunteers are encouraged to demonstrate behaviours that enable a positive and safe environment for participants and others engaged in the company’s activities. The following are common sense examples of how the Co-op Juniors believes a positive culture and climate is created:
- Treat everyone equally with respect and dignity, and in accordance with Co-op Juniors Equal Opportunities and Inclusion Policy
- Provide an example you wish others to follow
- Work in an open environment, for example, avoiding private or unobserved situations and encouraging open communication
- Create an environment where individuals can express concerns that they may have and feel comfortable to talk about attitudes or behaviours they do not like
- Give enthusiastic and constructive feedback, rather than negative criticism
- Do not wear inappropriate or offensive clothing (All Theatre Company members and Theatre Academy students should wear their uniform as outlined in their respective rules and guidelines.)
- Do not have any inappropriate physical or verbal contact with others
- Do not jump to conclusions about others without checking the facts
- Please be aware and sensitive to situations and working environments, and the language that you use both in and out of earshot
OUR BEHAVIOUR AGREEMENT
We ask all our performers and students, their parents and guardians, our tutors, employees, volunteers and creatives to follow our behaviour agreement.
- We are kind to and supportive of others.
- We are respectful of each other’s performances.
- We listen to and follow the instruction of our directors, tutors and chaperones.
- When not rehearsing, we are quiet and respectful of other rehearsals taking place.
- We follow stage rules and practice safe behaviour.
- We respect the environment we are working in.
- During rehearsals or classes, we switch our phones to silent and only use them as per the guidance of the director or tutor. Junior Cast in the Theatre Company and younger students in the Theatre Academy are asked not to use phones during rehearsals, classes or breaks.
- We don’t record or photograph anyone without their consent and we don’t share or post photos/videos on social media without asking permission of the director or tutor first.
- We wear the correct uniform to rehearsals/classes/performances.
- We arrive on time and tell the director or tutor if we can’t make a rehearsal/class.
THEATRE COMPANY BEHAVIOUR POLICY
The Co-op Juniors Theatre Company have a zero tolerance for bullying. If a child or young person behaves in a way that is not appropriate, we will endeavour to understand the reasons for that behaviour and support them in making changes. Our Behaviour Agreement is there to make sure everyone who takes part in Co-op Junior Theatre Company’s activities knows what is expected of them and feels safe, respected and valued.
We expect our cast to always display appropriate behaviour. This includes behaviour that takes place outside our organisation and behaviour that takes place online.
Our Behaviour Agreement aims to:
- identify acceptable and unacceptable behaviour
- encourage cooperation, honesty, fairness and respect
- create an environment where your self-esteem, self-respect and self-confidence will grow
- encourage you to recognise and respect the rights of others
- encourage you to take responsibility for your own behaviour
- help resolve conflicts and make it clear what will happen if you decide not to follow the Behaviour Agreement
The Co-op Juniors Behaviour Agreement, that all cast sign, is very clear on behaviour expectations. If a child / young person behaves in a way that doesn’t follow our Behaviour Agreement, it will result in the following steps:
Step 1 – Minor or first-time incident
A verbal discussion with the parties concerned giving them an opportunity to reflect and change their behaviour and discuss any strategies needed to support them.
Step 2 – Formal Warning
We will make a record about what happened and inform parents / carers. We will have a discussion with the parent and child / young person to talk about what happened and agree what support is needed to improve behaviour in the future.
Step 3 – Final Warning
If the support we have put in place isn’t helping to change the behaviour, we might need to give a final warning. Again, this will be recorded, and we’ll inform parents / carers. The child / young person will also be removed from taking part in a performance / rehearsal.
Step 4 – Membership Termination
At this point, we will remove the child / young person from our Membership. This means they will not take part in any future rehearsals or shows.
The Role of Parents and Carers
We see parents and carers as important in encouraging positive behaviour and will involve them as appropriate. We have the same expectation that all adults will abide by the code of conduct and behave respectfully to one another and young persons.
We will always inform and involve parents / carers in the event of a formal warning about behaviour, unless doing so would put the child / young person in danger and in which case we will follow our safeguarding policy.
GENERAL RULES & CODE OF GOOD PRACTICE
Induction
Where deemed necessary, you will be given an induction which is felt to be sufficient and relevant to your engagement with the Co-op Juniors, including receiving a briefing on basic Health & Safety relevant to your role. Please read through this Handbook as part of your induction process.
Dress Code (for volunteers, employees and contractors)
Volunteers, contractors employees and creatives must wear appropriate dress for their role including Personal Protection Equipment. This applies both at the studios and at performance venues. Do not wear clothing with offensive symbols or language. If in doubt, please ask for guidance.
Smoking, Drugs and Alcohol
Smoking of cigarettes or electronic cigarettes is not allowed at the Co-op Juniors Studios or any venue used by the Theatre Company or Theatre Academy. This includes any Co-op Juniors vehicle.
You are not permitted to be under the influence of alcohol or any non-prescription drugs during your engagement in activities or providing services for the Co-op Juniors. If your usual point of contact, the Artistic Director, Education Director, or any member of the management committee reasonably believes that you are under the influence of non-prescription drugs or alcohol and you are as a consequence unfit to perform the services for which you have been engaged, the Co-op Juniors reserve the right to send you home without payment for services not completed as a consequence of the consumption of non-prescription drugs or alcohol. The Drugs and Alcohol Policy also applies to New Psychoactive Substances (often referred to as NPS), as listed under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016.
If you are on prescription medication which may impact on your ability to perform the services or activities for which you are engaged, please inform your usual point of contact or Head of Department.
Company property
All equipment belonging to the Co-op Juniors should be treated with due care and respect. Co-op Juniors property should not be removed from its premises without express permission from your usual point of contact or the Artistic Director or Education Director.
Confidentiality
Confidentiality of all aspects of the Co-op Juniors business must be respected, including treating information on forthcoming company projects as strictly confidential until details have been announced publicly.
Social media
You are expected to ensure that during your involvement, engagement or contractual term with the Co-op Juniors, the information and opinions you share on social media are not in conflict with Co-op Juniors policies or procedures, or could bring the reputation of the company into disrepute. We would advise you to be mindful of using common sense when posting online and respect confidentiality, individuals’ wellbeing, data protection and personal privacy.
WAREHOUSE STUDIOS
The Co-op Juniors benefit immensely from the use of our Warehouse studios. We ask all members, parents and volunteers to respect the building.
Access
The security of the main entrance at The Warehouse is protected by a keypad entry system monitored with video recording. The code to gain entry to the building must not be shared with non-members. The entry code will be changed from time to time to ensure the integrity of our security and prevent unauthorised access.
If you observe any individual/s whom you believe have gained unauthorised access to the Studios, you should alert a known supervising person. Do not approach anyone whom you suspect of being on the premises without authority. If there is a possible risk from an unknown person to your personal safety or the safety of others, particularly children or vulnerable adults, call the Police on 999 without delay.
Ensure that the main studio doors and other exit doors are closed when not in use, and that the main doors close behind you when leaving the building. Automatic exterior floodlighting and foyer lighting is in place for your safety at night.
At performance venues, or venues used by the Theatre Academy, ensure you know the correct entry and exit procedures operated by an individual venue. If in doubt, please ask a supervising member of the group or the venue. Be aware at all times of the safety of children and vulnerable adults. Under 16s should not leave The Warehouse or an Theatre Academy class without a known nominated adult or guardian.
Those aged between 16 and 18 require signed parental consent to leave The Warehouse without a known nominated adult or guardian.
Parking
Free parking is provided at The Warehouse. Unrestricted parking is also currently available on the street. Please be aware of pedestrians, including small children, when parking at the studios and park with consideration for other users. Do not park in front of fire exits at any time. The Co-op Juniors accepts no liability for theft from or damage to vehicles parked on our premises. All vehicles are parked at the owner’s risk.
Personal Property
Please take care of personal property and do not leave it in plain sight when on Co-op Juniors premises or other venues. Mobile phones, tablets and other portable electronics are vulnerable to theft and should be kept in a secure place. The Co-op Juniors accepts no liability for theft of or damage to private property taken to the Studios or other venues.