The Government has distributed leaflets nationally explaining the new rules for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.
The Independant Safeguarding Authority ( ISA ) has the power to ban individuals from working with children or vulnerable adults if it deems them to be unsuitable.
Anyone who works or volunteers with vulnerable groups either :
frequently – once a month or more for health and social care services, or once a week or more for other professions or
intensively– overnight or four times or more in a month
will have to be registered.
Key dates
July 2010 – new employees and volunteers CAN register with the ISA
November 2010 – ALL new employees and volunteers engaged in a regulated activity on a frequent or intensive basis MUST register.
For more information visit www.businesslink.gov.uk/vbs
Our own position is
We continue to maintain high standards as professional children’s entertainers. The safety and well being of everyone we come into contact during the course of our work has always and will always be a priority.
Our policy remains:
-that children attending our shows or workshops must be under supervision of a responsible adult at all times.
-we do not work on a one to one basis with children or vulnerable adults and we do not take charge of groups of children or provide a child minding service.
-children are not allowed “backstage” or in our admin area unless they are accompanied by a responsible adult.
As members of Equity ( The Actors Union ) we follow the code of conduct as set out below :
Code Of Conduct
It is important to note that entertainers are not employed as child minders and WILL ONLY WORK when there is a responsible adult present. It is the responsibility of the employer to ensure that this condition is met.
Equity Children’s Entertainer Code of Conduct
Every entertainer listed on this directory has signed up to the following Code of Conduct
- The Equity Children’s Entertainer will be:
- Reliable: Be there at the prescribed time/place.
- Clear: Offer a written confirmation (where practical) so the booker will be in no doubt.
- Knowledgeable: Of children and the craft of entertaining them.
- Responsible: By insisting that there is a responsible adult present when the entertainer is working.
- Sensitive, flexible and adaptable: To fit a variety of audience types and complete the job satisfactorily.
- Safe: With good quality, well maintained props and Public Liability Insurance to £5million (automatic with Equity membership).
- Value for money: With responsible, fair rates and terms.
- Professional: Committed to delivery of a good service as this is a career and a vocation not a hobby.