Safeguarding

• If a child is in immediate danger call the police 999
• The Co-op Juniors’ Designated Safeguarding Lead is Emily Holt, who can be contacted at safeguarding@coopjuniors.co.uk or on 01473 551758 option 2
• Jeannie Ingram and Mary-Kate Ingram are our deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads
• Call the NSPCC Helpline 0808 800 5000 or email them help@nspcc.org.uk if you want anonymous advice and can’t talk to the DSL

You many have observed an incident or a child/young person has disclosed that they are being abused or neglected. If you are worried that they are at risk of harm, listen and note the details on an incident record Please tell them that you will refer your concerns to the safeguarding team who will discuss it further. If you have a concern about an adult’s practice in relation to children/young person please do the same complete an incident record and raise it with safeguarding team who will follow the steps below.

Please use our Safeguarding Incident Report form to report safeguarding concerns. Or you can refer to the Safeguarding Lead and/or Deputies using this number 01473 551758 option 2 or email safeguarding@coopjuniors.co.uk

• Emily Holt- Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
• Jeannie Ingram- Deputy Safeguarding Lead
• Mary-Kate Ingram – Deputy Safeguarding Lead

If you need to let us know about any health and safety issues, accidents, or behaviour issues, please contact us online or email the relevant team member

Please note – If your concern is about a decision made by the management or creative team which you are unhappy with please raise as a grievance in line with the company policy which can be found in the handbook as this is not safeguarding.

Our process

Referrer to complete a Safeguarding Incident Report form stating factual information only
Safeguarding team to decide if a referral is required
Children Option to chat to someone in Mash team 0345 606 14 99 and/or make a referral If you are concerned about an immediate risk to the safety of a child please call Customer First on 0808 800 4005.		Adults Contact the LADO

We recognise the range of mental health difficulties some young people experience and are mindful that we must act in the best interests of all cast members and students.

Performing Arts and Mental Health

Dancing, singing and acting can provide a range of skills that studies have shown contribute to the improvement of young people’s mental health: singing provides breathing skills which can aid those managing anxiety and panic episodes, being physically active such as through dance is wider considered beneficial to young people’s mental wellbeing, the endorphins provided.

through performance can… and working together…

Resources to support performers

• www.nhs.uk/mental-health/children-and-young-adults/mental-health-support/supporting-a-child-or-young-person/

• www.spotlight.com/news-and-advice/lifestyle-wellbeing/parent-guide-young-performer-mental-health/

How we manage…

Therefore, if at any point during a rehearsal, class or show, we feel that a young person is unable to continue, the director or tutor will ask them to take a break, and they will be expected to respect that decision.They will be offered support and may return once the director or tutor, in consultation with others, decides that they can safely continue with no negative impact to their own, or others’, health and wellbeing.

The Co-op Juniors believe that the online world provides children and young people with many opportunities as well as presenting risks and challenges. We aim to ensure that the safety and wellbeing of children and young people is paramount when adults, young people or children are using the internet, social media or mobile devices. We believe that young people should never experience abuse of any kind and that safeguards are needed to ensure they are kept safe online at all times.

More information coming soon

Showcasing the work of the Co-op Juniors Theatre Company & Academy is an important part of celebrating the successes and achievements of our cast and students. It also increases engagement with current and potential members as well as supporters and donors. Nevertheless, the Co-op Juniors recognises the risks inherent in photography and video of our activities.

Consent

We ask all parents of our students and cast to provide consent to the capture and sharing of images and video when they join, and you are able to update this online at any time here.

Taking your own photos or recordings

Sharing photos and videos is part of young people’s experience and celebration of their involvement with the Co-op Juniors. As part of their Behaviour Agreement, our young people have agreed:

• 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.

Theatre Company volunteers, including parents, also agree to this statement. However, we believe such photos/videos should be limited to appropriate times, eg. in rehearsal breaks or for information for costume making. Parents/guardians are not permitted to take photos or videos during classes or rehearsals.

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 members and younger students are asked not to use phones during rehearsals, classes or breaks.

To guide our approach across the whole organisation, we have developed a number of policies that all our volunteers, creatives, tutors and freelancers follow. These are supported by our trustees, who monitor their implementation at regular meetings and review annually.

These policies include: 

• Our Safeguarding policy and procedures
• Our Health and Safety policy
• Key aspects of our Behaviour Agreement
• Our Online Safety policy 
• Our Photos and Videos policy and guidelines
• The embedding of Safer Recruitment training and practices across the organisation