Child Protection Policy

Stage Center’s Child Protection Policy

It is the policy of Stage Center that the welfare of the children and young people is paramount regardless of age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious beliefs and/or sexual identity and that everyone who may participate with our organization, has a right to protection from physical, sexual and emotional abuse. Children and young people are defined as under the age of 18. We also acknowledge our responsibilities in respect of adult volunteers or visitors who might be deemed to be ‘at risk’ because they are ‘vulnerable’.

Stage Center is fully committed to safeguarding the welfare of all children, young people and vulnerable adults. It recognizes its responsibility to take all reasonable steps to promote best practice and to protect children from harm, abuse and exploitation.

Stage Center acknowledges its duty to act appropriately to any allegations, reports or suspicions of abuse. Its volunteers will endeavor to work together to encourage the development of an environment that embraces difference and diversity and respects the rights of all children, young people and adults.

Stage Center Teachers and Volunteers will do the following to safeguard our participants:

AT STAGECENTER’S STUDIO AT GRACE:

CAMERA MONITORING: Video/Audio cameras have been installed in our main room and both classrooms for monitoring in those spaces.

RULE OF THREE: We adhere to the “rule of three” whenever possible requiring at least two adults or two youth in a group at all times. If a one-on-one situation is unavoidable, the adult and youth shall stay in an open, public area where they can be seen by others at all times.

OPEN-DOOR-POLICY: All children’s classrooms will have either a viewing window or have a door that will remain open at all times. The teacher/volunteer shall never be in a closed-door situation with any children.

RESTROOM POLICIES: In situations where an escort is needed for a trip to the restroom, a volunteer will stand outside the restroom and only assist the child if needed. Whenever a teacher/volunteer is in the restroom with a child the door will remain open. The teacher/volunteers shall never be in a closed door situation with a child.

AT THEATRE SPACES WITH VOLUNTEERS:

THEATRE ACCESS: Only authorized staff and volunteers are permitted access to enter the backstage area of the theatre. With the exception of immediate family, visitors are not allowed in the theatre without permission.

BACKSTAGE VOLUNTEERS: Must be a SCOOPS member, having read and agreed to uphold this Child Protection Policy.

THE ROAMING RULE: Whenever children (less than 18) or vulnerable adults are participating in a Stage Center activity, they will be supervised by at least two unrelated adult volunteers (20 or older). When children are gathered in a small group, there may be one adult in the room provided there is another adult “roaming” the area with the ability to see into the room and with the freedom to enter at any time.

SUPERVISION RATIO: For safety purposes, when children are present there will be, whenever possible, one adult for every ten children.