Hi,

I posted a message on the miscellaneous board yesterday asking for advise on how to start up a Saturday morning Drama club for children aged 8 - 16. Someone suggested that I would need to be checked by my local authority, which I am as I work in a primary school anyhow, as does my colleague, so thats that bit out of the way. Another person suggested I post the message on this board also. Can you offer any advise regarding the legal aspects of this idea?
Just to point out: We are not doing it to make much, if any profit at all. One of us has studied drama at degree level, we both come from a theatrical background and are very passionate about it. We both work with children. Someone also raised the issue of gender and advised that we should have both sexes involved -My colleague is male! So thats that bit sorted as well. All the feedback has been really helpful so far. Is there anything else anyone can tell me?
Thanks! Louise

Louise - thanks for your posting.

Working with children can be extremely rewarding, but you will owe a special duty of care to make sure that they come to no harm. A lot has focused lately on the Criminal Records Bureau, but getting the records checked is only one element of the kind of action that would be expected of someone who looks after children in this context.

1 Involve parents and guardians - make sure they have all the details.
2 Always have at least a couple of adults to hand
3 Take time to construct a policy to reduce any risk of abuse.
4 For performances, you will need a local authority licence unless less than three performances in any six month period.
5 Children under 8 are subject to even stricter rules - including registration with the Local Authority as a day care provider.

I'm afraid that you are subject to the same rules, whether you make loads of profit, or none at all!

I'm checking for more details on local authority issues - keep watching!

For more information:

Methuen Amateur Theatre Handbook - pages 107 - 112
The Legal Guide for Involving Young People as Volunteers (Islington Volunteer Centre)
Details of both on my web site.

Thank you for your advise! I have been to your website and ordered a copy of your book -looks very helpful, and I will keep my eyes peeled on this board for any other info you have...

Thanks again
Louise

There's a whole page dedicated to this in the latest NODA magazine. It's titled "Child Protection" and is well worth a read. You can also get a NODA factsheet - free to members - called "Children in Theatrical Performance".

Well worth a look.