Fox Casting

DBS & Child Protection Policy

DBS

All Adults (aged over 16) must have s Clear DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service check) to work on a set where children are present on BBC Productions and those commission for the BBC. Similar rules govern other Broadcasters as a matter of Child Protection Policy.
If you have a DBS check please send it to us with the start date. You can apply on the link below, if you do not have one.

https://www.apply-basic-criminal-record-check.service.gov.uk/verify/start

We require a DBS check every 18 months. You must inform us of any Sexual Offences (convictions) relating to the Sexual Act of 2003. We cannot then supply you to any Production.

Those without a basic DBS are already excluded from a number of shoots as a matter of Child Protection. There are no exceptions, sorry.

Please read our full Child Protection Policy below.

Fox Casting Child Protection Policy

Introduction
Fox Casting have a moral and legal obligation to ensure that, when given responsibility for children all staff, chaperones, parents/legal guardians and volunteers accept their responsibilities to safeguard children from harm and abuse. This means to ensure that everyone follows procedures to protect children and report any concerns about their welfare to appropriate authorities. 
There are three elements to our policy:- 

· Prevention through awareness of each individual child’s needs. 

· Definitions of Child Abuse and Neglect 

· Procedures for identifying and reporting cases or suspected cases, of abuse. 
 
The aim of the policy is to promote good practice, providing children and young people with appropriate safety/protection whilst in the care of Fox Casting and to allow staff and volunteers to make informed and confident responses to specific child protection issues. 
Prevention 
We recognise that the “entertainment industry” can be a very “adult” environment and we expect that all staff, chaperones, parents/legal guardians, volunteers and anyone else who comes into contact with children behave in an appropriate manner at all times, and remember that “The Welfare of the Child is Paramount”. 
Fox Casting will therefore:- 
· Act within the Children’s Act 1989 & 2004 
 
· Act within The Children (Performances and Activities) (England) Regulations 2014 
 
· Establish and maintain an ethos where children feel welcome and familiar with their environment and are informed of personal (toilets, dressing rooms etc) and emergency arrangements (fire exits, meeting points etc) and any Health and Safety Procedures (Dangerous equipment, First aid etc) 
 
· Inform each child who the appropriate person or people are to speak to if they have any questions, problems or concerns. 
 
· Ensure that all children are treated with respect and dignity and are treated as individuals and offered equality of opportunities. 
 
· Always work in an open environment (e.g. avoiding private or unobserved situations and unnecessary physical contact with children) and involve/allow parents/chaperones wherever possible, to take responsibility for the child/children they are responsible for. (parents must only have responsibility for their own child) 
 
· Recognising the individual needs of the child. eg recognising when a child may be tired and may need a break. 
 
· Ensure that children are supervised appropriately. 
 
· Ensure that all Chaperones are registered with the local authority in which they reside and have an enhanced DBS check. 
 
· Ensure all crew and staff coming into close contact with a child are DBS checked. 
 
 
· Ensure that all staff and crew who don’t necessarily have close contact with children but who are assisting in the production are aware of their conduct around children. 
Definitions of Child Abuse and Neglect
A child is abused or neglected when somebody inflicts harm, or fails to act to prevent harm. A child or young person up to the age of 18 years can suffer abuse or neglect and require protection. 
· Physical Abuse – May involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning or suffocating or otherwise causing physical harm to a child. 
 
Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer fabricates or induces illness in a child whom they are looking after. 
· Sexual Abuse – Forcing or enticing a child/young person to take part in sexual activities, whether or not they are aware of what is happening, may involve: physical contact, including penetrative or non-penetrative acts; 
 
non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of pornographic material or watching sexual activities; or 
encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways. 
· Neglect – Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development. It may involve a parent or carer failing to provide adequate food, shelter and clothing, failing to protect a child from physical harm or danger, or the failure to ensure access to appropriate care or treatment. It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child’s basic emotional needs. 
 
· Emotional Abuse – The persistent emotional ill-treatment of a child such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional and behavioural development. It may involve conveying to the child that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only in so far as they meet the needs of another person. It may feature age and developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on children. It may involve causing children to feel frightened or in danger, for example witnessing domestic abuse within the home or being bullied, or the exploitation or corruption of children. 
 
Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of ill treatment of a child, though it may occur alone 
Legislation, Policy and Guidance 
Fox Casting will adhere to the relevant legislation when working with 
children and young people under the age of 18 years as outlined in the following: 

· Children Act 1989 

· Children Act 2004 

· Working Together to Safeguard Children 2015 
Suspicion of Abuse
· If you see or suspect abuse of a child, immediately make this known to the designated individual/manager responsible for child protection. 
Disclosure of Abuse
If a child tells you that they or another child or young person is being abused:- 
• Always stop and listen straight away, show that you take their allegations seriously. 
• Encourage the child to talk, but do not ask leading questions, interrupt or ask the child to repeat itself. 
• Never promise that you will keep what is said confidential or secret – explain that if you are told something of concern that you will need to let someone know but that you will only tell the people who need to know and can help. 
• Record what you have been told accurately and as soon as possible. Use the child‘s own words. Make a note of the time, location, whether any one else present and of the Child’s demeanour. 
• Ensure that your concerns are reported immediately to the designated individual/manager 
• Do not confront the alleged abuser. 
Handling Allegations
  • If a child makes an allegation against a member of staff it must be reported as a matter of urgency to the designated manager/individual, Camilla Fox or refer to Social Services department for Children’s Services. 0191 2772500
 
  • • if the allegation is against the designated person then the information should be reported to another senior manager or directly to Social Services department for Children’s Services. 0191 2772500 (This would generally be referred to the authority in which the alleged incident took place). 
  • The alleged perpetrator should not be made aware of the allegation at this point. 
  • Fox Casting, will reply to any concerns or allegations raised by a Production, about a SA / walk on within 10 days.
Recording
· In all situations the details of allegation or reported incident must be recorded. Make accurate notes of time, dates, incident or disclosure, people involved, what was said and done and by whom, action taken to investigate, further action taken e.g. suspension of individual and if relevant: reasons why the matter was not referred to a statutory agency, name of person reporting and to whom it was reported 
 
The record must be stored securely and shared only with those who need to know. 
• DO NOT worry that you might be mistaken; you have a responsibility to pass on your concerns following a disclosure. Never think abuse is impossible, or that an accusation about a person you know well and trust is bound to be wrong. 

Parent Testimonial

My mum introduced me to Fox Casting Agency just over 5 years ago. I am now 15. I was extremely shy back then, my mum encouraged me to join Fox Casting Agency, as she believed that working with them would be a really good for my confidence.

Immediately upon meeting Camilla, I felt at ease and excited about the range of opportunities and possibilities which lay ahead. Camilla has really encouraged and believed in me, which makes me feel really appreciated and highly valued.

Since joining the Fox Casting Agency, I have worked with my mum, and also on my own as an Extra on various projects. I found these opportunities really exciting, great work experience, working on set has taught me great discipline with things like time-keeping, being presentable, as well as being a good listener, and being able to respond positively to instruction and constructive criticism. I have enjoyed the work so much that I have decided to take up Performing Arts at GCSE in order to enhance and improve the skills I have learned being an Extra, my confidence has, and is, improving immensely because of my work gained through Fox Casting.

Nazarene Brightly

Child Actor