UK Talent Agents Ltd Safeguarding Children - Policy

Safeguarding Children Policy

We are UK Talent Agents Ltd. of 5th Floor, 167-169 Great Portland Street, London W1W 5PF.

This policy is designed to protect any children who receive service from us and to provide guidance and principles of conduct to those to represent UK Talent Agents Ltd. or work for us, inc. managers, trustees, directors, volunteers and interns whether paid or unpaid.

The Risks to Children

Children are vulnerable to different forms of abuse and harmful behaviours. Some of the most extreme examples include:

· Physical and/or emotional abuse

· neglect

· sexual abuse

· female genital mutilation (FGM)

· grooming and exploitation

· trafficking and modern slavery

· exposure to other inappropriate content such as violence or criminal behaviour

· self-harm

· physical harm when engaging in activities without adequate supervision

The above list is indicative, not comprehensive.

In Our Organisation

We are committed to ensuring that all children who consult or utilise our business services are properly safeguarded. This includes our:

· remaining alert and aware against possible risks to children

· ensuring our environments are safe for children

· establishing that audition and work environments will be similarly safe

· understanding the duty-of-care to report specific concerns

· reporting concerns expeditiously and appropriately

· challenging inappropriate behaviour

· respond immediately to any disclosure by a child of harmful or abusive behaviour

In Our Work

To seek work for Children in the entertainment industries, our professional responsibilities require that we ensure:

· Employers have appropriate Safeguarding policies

· Employers are aware of Licensing requirement for the Employment of Children

· Employers receive all necessary information to Licence the Child inc. Local Authority information

Disclosure & Barring Service

All staff working directly in the employ of UK Talent Agents Ltd., whether paid or unpaid (voluntary/intern etc.), will be subject to DBS checking. As DBS checks do not formally expire, Certificate issuance dates will be regularly monitored, and new checks Certificates requested as appropriate.

Photography

Still photographs (images), commonly called “headshots”, are a tool used in our industry.

Any such “headshot” will:

· Selected in collaboration, but used only with the approval of the parent/guardian

· Will appear in a partially anonymised way on our website

· May be used on social media to further advance the child artist’s career

· Always be stored in accordance with our Data Protection obligations

Children in Entertainment

We recognise the importance of safeguarding children. A large part of our work is to ensure the safety of children both within our duty-of-care and beyond it.

We will always endeavour to establish that all potential employers are aware of the rules governing the employment of children in entertainment and may actively dissuade artists from accepting work where we feel the relevant legislation and/or safeguarding requirements are being overlooked.

It must be understood, however, that the nature of the work undertaken may bring some public scrutiny and exposure which would not be common with another form of employment. Work which is made available to the public may remain in the public domain for long periods, beyond the control of UK Talent Agents Ltd. It is vital that all parents and/or guardians are aware of this and take their own, appropriate, measures in relation to child safeguarding.

We reserve the right to update this Safeguard Policy at any time, and we will provide you with notification of any changes.

Our Safeguarding Officer for UK Talent Agents Ltd. is: Melanie Maltby

E: Melanie@uktalentagents.com

T: +44 (0) 7722 427819

Legislation and other useful resources:

The Children Act 1989

www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1989/41/contents

The Equality Act 2010

www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/contents

UN Convention on Rights of the Child (UNCRC)

www.unicef.org.uk/what-we-do/un-convention-child-rights/

The Domestic Abuse Act 2021