SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN POLICY
Effective: 17th September, 2020
As a talent agency representing young performers, TJK Talent works with children and families as part of its service. TJK Talent implements a Safeguarding Children policy in order to fulfil our responsibility to ensure that all children are safe and protected from avoidable harm. We take the safeguarding of all of our clients very seriously, and so welcome comments and suggestions to update and review this policy as we continually strive to maintain our service and standard of care in line with current and best safeguarding practices.
The purpose of this policy statement is:
• to protect children and young people who receive TJK Talent services. This includes the children of adults who use our services
• to provide parents and volunteers with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection.
This policy is to be read by everybody.
All representatives must agree to follow this policy and adhere to its articles as set out in this document at all times whilst working for or on behalf of TJK Talent.
Definitions:
‘Represenatives/Adults’ – any official employee of TJK Talent. including temporary employees, contractor or freelancer working on behalf of TJK Talent, volunteer or any person acting as a representative for TJK Talent.
‘Child’ – a person under the age of 18 who is a employed and is in the temporary care of Anna Clare Management
‘Client’ – an any person or persons, whether juristic or not, booking a Talent who is on the books of TJK Talent.
Legal framework
This policy has been drawn up on the basis of legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children in England.
A summary of the key legislation and guidance is available from nspcc.org.uk/childprotection.
We believe that:
• children and young people should never experience abuse of any kind
• we have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people, to keep them safe and to practise in a way that protects them.
We recognise that:
• the welfare of the child is paramount
• all children, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation have a right to equal 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
• working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare.
SAFEGUARDING DECLARATION
TJK Talent is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and takes its responsibility seriously.
Everybody has a duty to uphold our values to be kind, safe and excellent in all they do – putting our child performers first, providing safe and effective care, and to be aware of the special attention children and young people (under 18 years of age) should be given while in our care.
TJK Talent has a responsibility for safeguarding children and act to ensure that all measures are taken to safeguard children in our care. This policy was published in 17/09/20, and will be reviewed in 17/09/21.
CODE OF CONDUCT FOR REPRESENTATIVES
The safety and wellbeing of every child should be the primary concern to every adult.
Children should be treated with respect at all times by all, ensuring that adults listen to the artist, encourage them to actively contribute and ensure they feel that their contributions are valued.
When working, rehearsing or attending castings, children should be supervised by an appointed and licensed chaperone at all times. TJK Talent do not represent or supply chaperones for young performers. However, TJK Talent can advise the client on sourcing appropriately licensed chaperones. It is the legal responsibility of the license holder (client) to ensure that the supervision requirements of the child’s licensing authority are met. Chaperones should not leave the care of the client during agreed working hours, unless collected by a parent/guardian or other appropriate adult. Children should not be allowed to leave the location unaccompanied unless has permission in writing from the parent/guardian. If a parent/guardian is late to collect a child, it is the responsibility of the chaperone to remain with the child until he/she is collected.
Children should never be responsible for the supervision of other children.
Children should always be made to feel involved in the activity, and a child should never be discriminated against on the basis of race, gender, culture, sexual orientation, economic status or ability (with exception of religious observance).
No adult should engage in any relationship with a child other than a properly conducted professional relationship. Any relationship deemed to be inappropriate, such as sexual contact or a sexual relationship between an adult and an artist - regardless of age - will be considered professional misconduct and will result in disciplinary action and/or criminal proceedings where relevant.
No adult should engage in conduct towards a child which is intended to cause discomfort or any sort of harm to the artist.
Adults should take every care to avoid being alone with a child. If an adult finds themselves alone with a child, they should seek the presence of an additional person as soon as possible and avoid physical contact with the child. It is advised that the door is left open if using a communal space where other people may be nearby or that the activity is moved to another space where there are other people.
In the event of suspecting a child to be the victim of any form of abuse, the supervising adult should report this immediately following the procedures set out in this policy. In the event that a member of staff is suspected of any form of abuse towards a child, a thorough investigation (separate to any police inquiries where relevant) will be performed by TJK Talent. The adult implicated in the investigation will be suspended pending the findings of that investigation and any police inquiries/legal proceedings. If TJK Talent finds suitable concern about inappropriate behavior towards a child, disciplinary action will follow, alongside criminal proceedings where relevant.
adults should not exchange personal contact details with a child.
PROCEDURES
REPORTING CONCERNS
If an adult is concerned about the emotional or physical wellbeing of a child, this should be reported to Tilly Kamara, immediately. This information will then be referred to the relevant authority. It is not for the represenatative to assess the risk of harm or seriousness of abuse; this will be refered to the authorised professionals to consider.
In the event a child approaches representaive to discuss abuse, they should listen, but should ensure to inform the child that they cannot keep this information to themselves.
If a representative is suspected of improper conduct towards a child,
Whilst an investigation into improper conduct is continuing, the adult implicated will have no contact with any artists, and will be asked to temporarily refrain from representing TJK Talent in any capacity. Failure to comply with this condition will be considered gross misconduct and will result in immediate dismissal.
ACCIDENT REPORTING
In the event of an accident or incident taking place whilst a child is in the care of TJK Talent, it should be reported immediately to Tilly Kamara. Any injury should be treated accordingly with first aid, or for more serious injuries by an emergency healthcare professional. All accidents/incidents should be reported using the Accident/Incident Report Form at the time, and a copy should be given to the parent/guardian of the child involved.
CONFIDENTIALITY
TJK Talent have a responsibility to share relevant information about the safeguarding and protection of children, however it is important that this information is treated as highly confidential and is only released within the appropriate professional contexts. Adults should avoid discussing information pertaining to safeguarding or the protection of children with anybody other than the authorised professional.
Any and all information retained by TJK Talent in relation to an artist will be subject to the conditions of the Data Protection Act 2018. It will be stored securely and only made available where necessary. It will be treated as highly confidential, and any breach of confidentiality will be considered to be gross misconduct.
If TJK Talent is approached by a professional authority for information relating to the safeguarding or protection of a child, this information will be disclosed and treated in the strictest of confidence.
COMPLAINTS & GRIEVANCES
In the event that a child performer or parent/guardian of a child member wishes to make a complaint if they believe that they have been subject to discriminatory, abusive or inappropriate treatment, they should contact TJK Talent immediately. It is advised that this is in writing, and the complaint will be thoroughly investigated. Where relevant, information relating to the complaint may also be shared with the appropriate professional authorities (e.g. Social Services, The Metropolitan Police Force.)
Nominated child protection lead
Name: Tilly kamara
Phone/email: talenttjk@gmailcom
07775770183
NSPCC Helpline
0808 800 5000
For more detailed policy and guidance:
Working Together to Safeguard Children (2006) www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/workingtogether
What to do if you suspect a child is being abused (2006) www.everychildmatters.gov.uk
London Child Protection Procedures (2007) www.londonscb.gov.uk