Child Protection Policy

Thanet Music and Drama Festival ("TMDF") aims to provide a safe and caring environment for all its participants, and to conform to current child protection legislation. The following constitutes TMDF's child protection policy:

• Purpose: The purpose of the festival is to advance the education of the public in the performing arts, by holding an annual competitive festival and presenting public performances.
• Environment It is our policy under the Protection of Children Act 1999 to involve parents/guardians/carers and teachers in partnership with us to ensure a safe environment at the festival, insofar as it is reasonably practicable.
• Application This policy relates both to children under the age of 18 and to those vulnerable adults who are identified to the organizers prior to their arrival at the festival. The festival recognizes the needs of children who are disabled or from ethnic minorities, and will seek to meet any specific needs notified to the festival in advance by parents/guardians/carers or teachers.
• Personnel TMDF is run entirely by volunteers, all of whom have independent references and are briefed about the terms of this policy. Should any problem arise regarding the terms of this policy, it should be notified to a TMDF Committee member, identifiable by badge, who will take appropriate action in a discreet manner.
• Preparation All participants in this festival will be expected to have seen this policy. In accordance with this policy, it is essential that parents/guardians/carers not personally attending the festival be satisfied that their children etc. are accompanied and adequately supervised by responsible adults acting on their behalf; TMDF staff will not undertake this role. With group entries, the group leader must ensure that all parents/guardians/carers are aware of this policy. Each person signing the entry form thereby takes full responsibility for those entered by the form.
• Changing areas It is emphasized that the article above applies equally to changing areas, i.e. that responsibility remains with the supervising adult in each case. Property left unattended is also not the responsibility of TMDF.
• Photography No photography (including video photography) is permitted at the festival, other than by accredited members of the press. Such photography will always take place in a public place. Any parent/guardian/carer not wishing the individual(s) in their care to be photographed must notify the photographer in good time.
• Legislation supporting this policy The Children Act 1989, The Police Act 1997, The Data Protection Act 1998, The Human Rights Act 1998, The Protection of Children Act 1999, The Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000.
• Review The TMDF Committee will review this policy at regular intervals, consulting the British and International Federation of Festivals for Music, Dance & Speech for support and advice on best practice.

For any queries relating to this document please contact the Honorary Secretary.